“Can I lead a normal life again?”
This question haunts the mind of every Covid-19 affected individual. Even after possible recovery from the grasp of this deadly virus, patients are further thrown into the abyss of health complications that make normalcy ‘late to return’.
Now, this is an area that is under constant research and still needs more evidence and data to prevent these complications once it for all. Till then, let us have a look at some of the most common health conditions erupting from post-Covid and how to deal with it.
Understanding Post-Covid Syndrome
Also known as Long Covid, these are the symptoms that patients face even after they recover from Covid-19 infection. Most individuals typically show signs of recovery within 10-14 days of illness. But, that doesn’t mean they are spared from a range of Post-Covid health complications likely to hit them for a span of 3-4 weeks.
Worst case scenario; asymptomatic individuals can still be affected by this Long Covid Syndrome. These health conditions can either be mild, moderate, or even life-threatening depending on the duration, types, and complication extent.
Post-Covid long-term complications & symptoms
Long Covid Syndrome can lead to symptoms that can last between 7 to 28 days after getting the first infection. Some of the common sibs observed are listed below:
Renal failure
It is caused by a spike in levels of protein in the urine or abnormal blood work indicating kidney complications. This can “attack” patients even if they have zero renal issues before Covid infection. Diabetic and hypertensive patients are more likely at risk where some might even require dialysis.
Without the proper flushing out of toxins from the system, your health will inevitably be affected. Furthermore, the formation of blood clots can lead to the stifling of tiny blood vessels in the kidneys causing severe damage. Hence, upon noticing the first signs of renal injury/issues, consult with the best kidney specialist in Kolkata.
Cardiac complications
Studies have reported an increase in heart-related conditions and injury in Covid-19 patients. Complications like –
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Persistent hypotension
- Dysrhythmias
- Stroke
- Infective Myocarditis
These are quite common along with other cardiac injuries like abnormal heart rhythm, blood clots in capillaries that can result in imminent heart attacks. It is also the cause of high blood pressure and even cardiac arrest.
Respiratory complications
Undeniably, the most common symptom of Post-Covid long effects is partial lung damage. While some patients do recover completely from Coronavirus infection, most of them face complications like shortness of breath & recurring cough. Some even get affected to the extent of developing pulmonary fibrosis.
Patients can also develop symptoms such as bronchial hyper-responsiveness which is often mistaken as asthma. Furthermore, secondary infections can also creep up like –
- Tuberculosis
- Fungal infections (Mucormycosis)
- Bacterial infection, etc.
All of these can quickly escalate if the patient does not seek immediate medical help. Get yourself checked before fatal conditions like MIS (multi-system inflammatory syndrome) and autoimmune disorders hit your system!
Vascular complications
Covid-19 infection can cause both macro & microvascular thrombosis in venous & arterial thrombotic events. Studies have revealed that every one out of three patients hospitalized for severe Covid-19 symptoms has developed serious vascular thrombotic complications like –
- Stroke
- Myocardial infarction
- Thromboembolism
- Acute pulmonary thromboembolism
An acute case of limb gangrene
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Mesenteric ischemia, etc.
This when coupled with liver complications and gastrointestinal failure can even cause casualties.
Diabetes
It is often deemed as a common disease.
However, it is a serious complication for both patients developing Post-Covid complications and without it. This chronic ailment is characterized by a sudden increase in blood sugar/glucose levels.
Insulin is the reason behind maintaining this delicate balance. Upon malfunction, the body fails to make sufficient glucose when it stays within the blood causing life-threatening health issues.
Therefore, patients with existing diabetic symptoms and the ones developed from Long Covid syndrome should seek the help of the kidney specialist in Kolkata like Dr. Amitabha Saha.
Apart from treating patients with kidney problems & diabetes, he is also a reputed Covid-treatment specialist and has years of experience in handling the most complicated medical cases.
Precautions to combat post-Covid complication
As the immune system is severely affected, it is always advised to remain hydrated at all times. Additionally, develop healthy eating habits and practice meditation and light breathing exercises. Moreover, having adequate sleep and refraining from smoking & alcohol consumption is always encouraged.
Individuals who are recovering from Covid-19 and harboring comorbidities such as –
- Kidney/renal diseases
- Hypertension
- Liver diseases
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
They are advised to go back to their pre-Covid medication immediately. And, most importantly get yourself vaccinated after 45 days of post-Covid recovery. Stay safe and stay vigil to contain the spread. Cooperate with us and the Government to win this battle against Covid.