Many individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 continue
to experience persistent breathing problems
People who have recovered from COVID-19 frequently
experience long-term respiratory and cardiac difficulties, and many continue to
have symptoms and physiological abnormalities months after the original
infection.
At first, COVID-19 was thought to be a respiratory illness,
much like bird flu. However, the lungs, brain, nasopharynx, eyes,
cardiovascular system, and digestive systems (liver and intestines) have all
been found to be impacted by the virus. In essence, every essential organ is
impacted by the virus.
The majority of patients who had recovered from a
coronavirus infection reported feeling weak and lightheaded, having a fast
heartbeat, and occasionally losing consciousness. The most common long-term
effect is lung involvement, with patients experiencing persistent problems like
exhaustion, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Sometimes, especially in hospitalized patients, the
infection results in lung nodules and scarring, which can restrict lung
capacity and hinder oxygen delivery. Wuhan University of Technology research
shows that 66 out of 70 individuals who recovered from the infection showed
apparent lung damage on their CT scans.
This is called pulmonary fibrosis, which is currently
incurable and can cause dyspnea. Although fibrosis can normalize, the
alterations do not entirely disappear. More research is required to corroborate
the claims made by certain scientists that the healing process can take up to
15 years.
Regrettably, there have been instances of developing
fibrosis, which poses a risk to life and health. 36% of patients report having
dyspnea following an infection. In this instance, a shortage of oxygen causes a
change in breathing depth and frequency. For several months, the symptoms have
continued.
Heart and blood vessels
Patients with conditions affecting the kidneys, blood, or
cardiovascular system have been shown to be more vulnerable to the coronavirus
and its consequences. As a result, it is not always easy to ascertain whether
the infection caused these alterations or if they had already happened.
Based on data, it indicates that 20% of the 500 individuals
assessed at Wuhan Hospital had cardiac muscle injury. Nearly half of the 36
individuals who took part in the study had arrhythmia in the intensive care
units. A cytokine storm, the body's defensive reaction that can turn harmful if
it spirals out of control, can account for these alterations.
One of the causes of viral myocarditis, which results in
arrhythmia, blood circulation disruption, and dyspnea, is coronavirus. Changes
can also be seen in the blood, as research done in Singapore revealed that
pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis were present in half of the
coronavirus-related deaths.
Patients are still at a high risk of heart attacks and
strokes even after they have recovered. People with diabetes are more likely to
get cardiovascular problems.
Nervous system
Neurological symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and
cognitive impairment, were reported by one-third of coronavirus patients. A few
patients had persistent headaches.
The loss and perversion of taste and smell are potential
nervous system problems. According to statistics, these symptoms tend to go
away with time, but they can linger, particularly if cognitive abilities are
compromised. Age, lifestyle factors, and the severity of the illness course all
play a major role in their recovery.
Kidneys
Kidney issues accounted for the majority of patients
admitted to Wuhan hospitals. Out of 701 individuals, 43.9% had protein in their
urine, a sign of an infection. Blood in the urine was present in 26.7% of
patients, indicating serious kidney injury. Patients with acute chronic failure
are known to be more likely to die.
For this reason, doctors recommend a kidney ultrasound and a
urine test even in the absence of alarming symptoms. This is because kidney
diseases might occasionally have no evident symptoms, making an early diagnosis
difficult.
Liver
During infection, the liver tissues have receptors that are
susceptible to COVID-19 proteins. Liver injury and malfunction have been
observed in numerous patients. The issue is further complicated by pre-existing
liver problems.
How to treat complications after COVID-19
Patients are encouraged to have further tests done after
they have recovered to identify any potential issues. Lung CT scans, lung
tissue elasticity tests, and general and biochemical blood and urine tests are
advised to be held.
Following the coronavirus, these tests and examinations aid
in evaluating the body's functioning, spotting changes and consequences early
on, and developing a treatment strategy.
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