Don’t ignore post-Covid health issues

One should visit post Covid clinics whenever there’s a doubt. And it is most important to stay connected with family members and loved ones, says Dr Somani

LUCKNOW: Patients recovering from Covid-19 should not take post-recovery health issues lightly, said Dr Mayank Somani, CEO, Apollomedics Hospital.

“Post Covid complications can severely affect the overall wellbeing of a person for long. Post Covid complications, if untreated, can have detrimental impact on heart, lungs and even brain,” said Dr Somani, an expert in internal medicine.

In majority of cases, patient recovers from Covid in two to three weeks, but few patients continue to experience symptoms after initial recovery, which can be termed as long Covid.

The chief post Covid complications found in majority of cases are fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, joint/muscle pain, chest pain, sleep problems, anxiety, fast or pounding heartbeat and depression.

Dr Somani said patients may require multidisciplinary care for various ailments arising out of Covid.

A few patients may also require long term rehabilitation therapy which may involve physiotherapy involving breathing exercises or oxygen therapy, behavioural therapy and counselling.

“Some of the post Covid symptoms should never be ignored such as persistent fever, chronic shortness of breath, persistent cough, irregular heartbeats for a longer duration. Many studies are still in progress to understand the percentage of patients falling sick post Covid, however in cannot be surmised at this point,” he said.

Asked about the advice for recovered Covid patients, Dr Somani said there is no off the shelf formula but maintaining healthy and balanced high protein diet, breathing exercises, maintaining record of your vital parameters such as BP, temperature and blood sugar can help.

“One should visit post Covid clinics whenever a doubt is there and the most important is to stay connected with family members and loved ones,” said Dr Somani.