Build up Your healthy Lung from COVID-19
By Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome checkup!
“Finger crossed”! Anyone already recovered from COVID-19 virus, is able to remain fit and firm and start building up healthier lung, as well as to maintain its quality and capability from any deteriorated conditions.
Non-100% recovery may affect to daily work performance, frequent leave requests or even to cause depression and finally affect to the quality of daily life.
Post-acute COVID-19 symptom
It is acknowledged that, Covid-19 virus is able to cause various organs disorder including Lung, Heart, Brain, Kidney, the Gastrointestinal Tract, the Endocrine System, and so on. Among these, the Lung is targeted! Even recovered from Covid-19, some patients still have some symptoms, e.g. cough, breathing difficulty, chest pain, and wheezing sound when breathing. The symptoms occur because of destroyed lung tissue which leads to airway obstruction, abnormally dilatation of airway, and fibrous tissue accumulation in the lung. Furthermore, covid-19 has a trend toward inducing blood clot in the vessels supplying the lung and contributes to high blood pressure which might be obstacle for normal life.
The heart and the vascular system, likewise, could be damaged from Covid-19 virus, by causing injury or blood clot in the vessels supplying the heart, inflammation of membrane around the heart, abnormal heart rhythm and so on. In some cases, we can see headache, limbs and facial paralysis, diarrhea, also depression.
Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome checkup
As recommended by doctor, Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome checkup should be taken after recovery at least 6 weeks to detect sequelae after infection.
Refer to 2020 Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome medical guideline from England, there are recommendations of the things to do after recovery from covid-19 as following:
- Thorough history taking and physical examination
- Chest X-ray or Chest CT
- Pulmonary Function Test
- Six minutes walking test to measure oxygen Saturation, blood pressure, and pulse rate after the end of exercise
- Long Term oxygen supplement consideration
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation program preparation
- Pulmonary Embolism detection
- Neurological and musculoskeletal impairment evaluation
- Post COVID-19 Mental Health support
- End-of-life care
Therefore, even you already recovered, however post check-up is a-must to do to maintain your health and avoid any future problems. ‘the sooner problems detection the better’
Article by: Dr. Chanya Chomchoey, M.D.
Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Pulmonary Critical Care Sub specialty
