Common and Effective Ways to Overcome Post-COVID Symptoms

The lasting impact of COVID-19 varies based on the inflicted damages or complications during this period, necessitating thorough examinations and collaboration between specialists. Possible issues include those related to the kidneys, liver, endocrine system (diabetes, renal failure), digestion/nutrition (diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss...), dermatological problems (skin inflammation, lesions, hair loss...), psychological issues, sleep disorders, quality of life, and the patient's economic and social concerns.

In summary, acute COVID-19 is considered within the first month of symptom onset, with an additional 2 months of monitoring referred to as prolonged COVID. Beyond this timeframe, if there are functional, structural, or mental symptoms that cannot be explained by other causes, they are labeled as 'post-COVID.' Most post-COVID manifestations are mild, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort. The severity and duration of post-COVID symptoms correlate with the severity of the initial COVID-19 illness.

Post-COVID symptoms manifest diversely, requiring physicians to inquire about acute COVID-19 symptoms and current indications during examinations to determine the need for tests, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Shortness of Breath or Labored Breathing accompanied by minimal physical activity is a common occurrence in individuals who have contracted Covid-19. This is a prevalent symptom along with cough and fever. It indicates insufficient oxygen intake, impacting the brain, heart, and other vital organs in the body. A significant challenge faced by the healthcare team during the COVID-19 pandemic is the rapid weakening of patients when oxygen levels are inadequate. The SARS-CoV-2 virus silently reduces the body's oxygen saturation, and after a period of damage, recovery becomes extremely challenging.

When patients feel they are not getting enough air through normal breathing or experience difficulty in deep breathing, it is likely they are experiencing shortness of breath. This symptom includes feeling chest discomfort when inhaling or exhaling, making them want to take deeper breaths due to a sense of air deficiency. Experts recommend that patients should seek medical attention immediately if they feel short of breath while working or resting.

Fatigue is a normal response of the body in the battle against the virus. This condition can persist for several weeks. Fatigue is a quite common symptom experienced by all patients recovering from Covid-19.

This fatigue condition is described as a feeling of heaviness or overload both physically and mentally:

• Physical fatigue: Patients will perceive that their body feels very heavy and even small movements consume a significant amount of energy.
• Cognitive and mental fatigue: When fatigued, patients may find it difficult to think, concentrate, process new information, and memory as well as learning may be affected. Even finding basic/simple words and problem-solving can become challenging.

Fatigue can lead to exhaustion after completing daily tasks, and patients may wake up feeling as tired as before sleeping. The level of fatigue for the patient may vary by week, day, or hour. Patients may have little motivation to do anything because of extreme fatigue, knowing they will become exhausted even with the smallest task.

Loss or reduced sense of smell or taste is also a lingering condition post-Covid. For patients experiencing loss or reduced sense of smell or taste with acute COVID-19, doctors will inquire about the remaining level and their perception of taste or appetite. Weight loss may occur in some patients after severe illness due to various reasons, where decreased taste and smell could be one of them. Although the exact cause of olfactory dysfunction is not fully understood, it is likely due to damage to the supporting and sustaining cells of the olfactory nerve, specifically the olfactory nerve cells and central cells.

In a few cases, recovery may not be complete with prolonged loss of function. While no proven treatment methods exist, olfactory training is encouraged.

Cognitive Impairment is one of the most common post-Covid symptoms, alongside difficulty breathing and fatigue. Severe Covid-19 patients exhibit lower scores and delayed response times in cognitive tests compared to the control group. They show significant deficits in cognitive functions such as processing speed, attention, memory, reasoning, and planning. Importantly, the cognitive impairment in survivors of Covid-19 is unrelated to mental health symptoms present at the time of cognitive testing, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Some severe symptoms associated with prolonged cognitive impairment after Covid-19 include issues with concentration, 'brain fog,' memory, and executive function. While these symptoms also appear in individuals with mild Covid-19, cognitive dysfunction is more prevalent in severe cases. Research indicates that these cognitive deficits persist from 6 to 10 months after Covid-19 infection and may gradually improve over time.

Early and persistent treatment of post-COVID-19 symptoms is crucial. Continue patient and long-term care for symptoms after recovering from COVID-19. The goal is to reduce damage and prevent long-term injuries.

Functional recovery therapy is essential for hospitalized or ventilated patients. Therapies include on-site physical therapy, such as limb movement exercises. Functional lung recovery through breathing exercises, Spirometry blowing, or abdominal breathing exercises.

• Treating shortness of breath: Start with simple exercises like deep inhalation and slow exhalation. Breathing exercises can be done anytime: sitting, lying down, walking, or combined with Spirometry blowing. Meditation exercises also help patients breathe slowly and deeply, improving lung efficiency.
• Treating chronic cough: Many patients with lung damage from COVID-19 experience prolonged coughing or coughing with phlegm after recovering. Doctors may prescribe cough medications such as benzonatate, proair inhaler, mucinex cough medicine, or other medications to facilitate breathing. However, a combination of breathing exercises and cough medications is needed to treat chronic cough effectively.
• Treating fatigue and weakness: Gradual exercise to increase endurance and strength of the arms and legs, especially for patients returning from the hospital or ICU. Light weight exercises combined with breathing exercises can help improve fatigue. If fatigue persists, patients should consult a specialist in cardiology or pulmonology to find the cause of prolonged fatigue.
• Treating joint pain: Use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (if not having gastric or renal issues) or acetaminophen to alleviate pain. Then engage in physical therapy to rehabilitate painful joints. For older patients, rehabilitation exercises for joint pain due to COVID-19 may take longer, so perseverance in training is necessary.
• Treating memory loss, reduced concentration, and forgetfulness: Read books, play memory-stimulating games like chess, learn additional subjects like cooking, and baking. Keep the brain active with healthy reflex stimuli.
• Treating loss of smell/loss of taste: Use scent or taste memory exercises to gradually improve these symptoms.

In addition, nutrition plays a crucial role in post-COVID-19 recovery. Patients need to ensure adequate nutrition for optimal recovery after COVID-19. Supplement enough water, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins to maximize the recovery of damaged tissues. The diet starts with multiple small meals, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, protein, and starch. Remember to drink enough water, which can be supplemented with fruit-infused water to ensure an adequate vitamin supply.