COVID
Mild cases usually don ’ t require much care because they aren ’ t too symptomatic or limited in their daily activities . be an explanation for why women are more prone to fatigue and other common long C��ID symptoms .
A multidisciplinary approach is the current treatment of choice Unlike during the early days of the pandemic , people who suffer from long C��ID can now count on specialist services that aim to deal with the many complexities of the syndrome .
Mild cases usually don ’ t re�uire much care because they aren ’ t too symptomatic or limited in their daily activities . �They �ust need some advice on how to gradually get back to normal , � stressed Dr Daynes .
But people with moderate to severe long C��ID have symptoms on and off almost every day . ��ne day is better than the other , so when people feel better , they start to do more , but that means the day after or the one after that is much worse , � she explained .
In these instances , patients are usually seen by different doctors , including a respiratory physician , a cardiologist , a fatigue specialist , and a neurologist , while additional medical experts may be involved in the care process if patients already have other conditions like diabetes , which could �are up after getting infected with C��ID .
�We need comprehensive management because C��ID-�9 is a multisystem problem that could affect people in many different areas �of the body� , and that ’ s where it becomes di�cult to unpack , � said Dr Daynes . �Someone may have micro blood clots in the brain , someone may have scarred lungs , and someone may not have �detectable� changes at all . A small group of people will have in�ammation of the heart that will re�uire rest for weeks or months to disappear . �
�ach patient is treated for their specific problems , like high blood pressure or cognitive dysfunction , while most usually undergo a six-week rehab programme involving both cardiovascular and strengthening exercises tailored to their fitness level . This is an established approach commonly used to help people with respiratory conditions recover and entails running on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike to improve heart and lung health , as well as lifting weights to strengthen the upper and lower limbs .
�We do an exercise test before so we know where they are at that moment , and we do about �0 percent of their maximum and then we progress in line with their symptoms , � she explained . �So , if they start to feel comfortable with what we are doing and don ’ t feel unwell , we then go a little bit farther or walk a little bit faster or use higher weights . �
Since exercise might make the condition worse , it ’ s crucial to carefully monitor how patients respond to the programme to find the best strategy for each individual .
Patients are also advised on how to manage their symptoms by pacing and spreading out their activities during the day to avoid �are-ups or by focusing on breathing through the nose instead of the mouth while at rest .
�ne important tip is to engage in abdominal breathing where �the breathing is coming from your stomach , meaning that when you breathe in your stomach should go up and when you breathe out it should go down . �
These suggestions are particularly important when the programme is over since patients can use them to self-manage their symptoms and keep progressing . While these treatments and tips aim to ease physical impairment , psychological counselling may also be needed since some patients experience anxiety or high levels of stress as they struggle to engage with their daily activities and face possible scepticism from doctors , friends , or family members about their problems . �Something that always comes up is the challenge people have in being listened to and believed . As a result , they think their symptoms are being invalidated , and this has a huge psychological burden . �
�ven in this area , however , Dr Daynes has seen some improvement compared to the early phase of the pandemic .
�Certainly , long C��ID doesn ’ t seem to have as big a mental burden as it did , � she said . �We have definitely seen more post-traumatic stress disorder early on , but that doesn ’ t seem as big an issue now . �
COVID-19 vaccination can help reduce the risk of long COVID
34 MAY 2022 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com