How to recover if you have long-distance COVID-19 symptoms

Some common long-term symptoms are shortness of breath and olfactory and taste changes during exercise.

Some people have prolonged headaches, joint pains, or coughs. And many people cite “brain fog” as a problem.

“As a neurologist, I don’t care much about this term, but it properly describes the symptoms of cognitive fatigue and difficulty due to attention and concentration that many people describe as long-term effects. “Ashley said.

“Some people may feel a little” off “cognitively. Some people explain that even simple things like paying bills and sending emails are difficult, “he said.

Fatigue is another problem that can impair daily functioning.

“Many people infected with COVID-19 are experiencing this long-term symptom,” Ashley said. “Intensity varies from person to person, but many struggle to carry out basic daily activities such as returning to work, raising children, exercising, as well as moving their living environment and weekly shopping. . ”

Dr. Maddy Honig Physician-Scientist and Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Columbia University Merman School of Public Health, New York City.

She is also a long-haul carrier.

Her throat tickling began in April. At that time, Honig was unaware that it was probably the first sign of COVID-19.

then”COVID-19 toesAt some point, he became swollen and couldn’t put on his shoes.

After that, fever continued for 12 days.

In the process, Honig suffers from swollen lymph nodes, elevated heart rate, and critical levels of high blood pressure. In addition, there are thyroid hormones, high cholesterol and anemia.

Honig has been working for a full day, but still does not match her pre-COVID-19 levels. She likened it to someone unplugging an electrical device without a battery backup, like “everything is done at once.”

“COVID-19 has the ability to infect and affect many different tissues. Ongoing pandemics and other events are stressors and clearly add to the difficulty for many,” Honig said. Told the health line.

She encourages you to think of your body as its own guide.

“If you’re tired, it’s important to know how much sleep you’re actually getting. Getting to sleep and staying asleep is a problem for many,” Hornig said. “If you can’t get a refreshing sleep after sleeping for a normal number of hours, Sleep hygiene.. “

Return to exercise You can challenge. If you can’t quickly return to levels prior to COVID-19, do things slowly and don’t push.

Honig suggests using a phone app to graph physical activity so you can better understand how much you’re actually doing.

“We don’t really understand the mechanism of post-exercise decline and malaise. I think it’s wise to pay close attention. Be aware of your feelings. Respiratory problems If so, be very careful with your exercise, “says Honig.

She recommends doing exercises such as yoga and partial push-ups. In the meantime, you can work on controlled breathing.

“If you have respiratory symptoms, it’s very important to allocate energy,” Honig said.

From her own experience, she knows that pressing an envelope can exacerbate the problem. Be careful, slow down and take a break.

If you have swelling of your toes or legs, raise your legs several times a day for 15-20 minutes.

More and more Telemedicine Option, you don’t necessarily have to visit your doctor directly.

If you have any concerns or questions about how to recover from persistent symptoms after being infected with COVID-19, arrange a virtual visit.

For example, sleep disorders can be treated.

“Sleep is when the immune system and brain do a lot of work,” Hornig said. “If you don’t get enough quality sleep, you may interrupt these important aspects of your body’s rebuilding so that you can withstand the next stressor.”

Contact your doctor immediately if you have Symptoms of blood clots, Can cause pulmonary embolism or stroke. Seek medical attention immediately in the following cases.

• Dyspnea
• Chest pain and pressure
• Rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Can’t eat or drink
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Difficult to get up

Clinics dealing with long-distance carriers like Mount Sinai Center for Post-COVID-19 Care And Cleveland Clinic Post-ICU Recovery Clinic, Germinates in hospitals nationwide. Your doctor can help you find a clinic in your area.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to those of influenza, myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME / CFS), And other conditions.

If in doubt, tests can determine the cause of the symptoms so you can get the right kind of help.

Report new or worsening symptoms to your doctor and follow up as needed.

Research on COVID-19 is still in its infancy.

“In general, it’s unclear how long these various symptoms, or other symptoms that haven’t been identified, will last,” Ashley said.

“It’s also unclear if people who have encountered the virus and have” recovered “will have additional problems,” he said. “The only way we can learn more is to do well-designed and consistent scientific research over time.”

Researchers need your help.

Solve me An organization that works to advance the treatment of ME / CFS, which has some of the same symptoms as COVID-19.

Through that You + ME Registry and Biobank, Solve ME collects data and biological samples from people with long-distance COVID-19 and compares them with data from people with ME / CFS.

Survivor corps We are supporting research activities by mobilizing people affected by COVID-19.Their website list Nationwide And State-Specific research and testing.

If you are infected with COVID-19 and want to donate Convalescent plasma, Use the following links to find a location near you.