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At the launch of post-COVID restoration clinics, docs flagged issues on long-term persistent effects of the illness and the want for continuum of take care of sufferers.
From persistent fatigue to breathlessness, loss of urge for food, sleeplessness, scarring of lungs, threat of blood clots and cardiac manifestations, docs are seeing sufferers, who’ve recovered from COVID-19, with many such signs.
“We are 10 months into the pandemic. When it began, there was a lot of panic. The panic is still present. We thought all people are susceptible, with the elderly and those with comorbidities at a high risk for complications. So, the initial response was on how to stay protected. People were told to go to hospitals early if they developed the infection. We are realising that it does not end there. Persons who have recovered are running into a lot of problems,” V. Ramasubramanian, senior guide, Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospitals, mentioned on Tuesday as the Apollo Hospitals Group launched post-COVID restoration clinics throughout its community.
COVID-19, he mentioned, was not solely a respiratory sickness but additionally a systemic illness affecting all organs, predominantly the lungs. “Some of the commonest symptoms are tiredness, mild breathlessness, joint pain, dryness in mouth, problems with appetite and sleeplessness. Persons who did not require hospitalisation for COVID-19 are experiencing such symptoms,” he added.
Scarring in lungs and blood clots are different prospects, whereas psychological effects as a result of isolation and stigmatisation are being felt.
“Some have neurological problems such as mind fog or brain fog. Some of my colleagues cannot use cell phones to send messages. They find the letters blurred on electronic devices. We realised that COVID-19 affects all organs. There are long haulers with persistent fatigue, breathlessness even with an oxygen saturation of 98 to 99. This is called autonomic abnormality. We need to tackle this, for which a comprehensive multidisciplinary unit is required,” Dr. Ramasubramanian defined.
On the effects of COVID-19 on the coronary heart, Dr. Ramasubramanian mentioned there was an elevated threat of blood clots forming in blood vessels as a result of irritation. “Studies have shown that the heart function is temporarily damaged during COVID-19. There could be problems in heart function, contraction, blood flow and rhythm disturbances. There is an increased risk of sudden death after weeks,” he mentioned.
L. Sundararajan, senior guide pulmonologist, mentioned 80% of sufferers recuperate nicely. “Even among them, some have long lasting effects of COVID-19 on almost all organs,” he mentioned.
In the outpatient division, docs have been seeing sufferers three to 4 months later with scarring of lungs and signs of breathlessness with minimal exertion, he identified.
Referring to lengthy COVID-19 syndrome, he added that it would take weeks or months for a affected person to make a full restoration, elevating the want for a platform reminiscent of a restoration clinic to make a whole evaluation of sufferers. At least 50% of individuals have signs, D. Suresh Kumar, senior guide, Infectious Diseases, added. He recalled how an adolescent complained of hair loss after affected by COVID-19.
While the aged had signs of fatigue, issues in urge for food and giddiness, the younger had signs reminiscent of anxiousness and lack of sleep.
Preetha Reddy, vice-chairperson of the Apollo Hospitals Group, pressured on the significance of continuum of care post-recovery.
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