More Chinese doctors reported that patients undergoing COVID-pneumonia, may develop pulmonary fibrosis. What it is, what are the risks?
Olga Bogush: COVID-19 occurs in different ways. In patients who had mild or latent, asymptomatic, consequences often arise. If the patient was diagnosed as having bilateral pneumonia caused by a coronavirus, especially if it affected more than 25 percent of the lungs, there is a risk of complications, including fibrosis.
What is it? Fibrosis is the replacement of normal pulmonary tissue with connective tissue. In the lung, in fact, there are scars. In elastic fabrics are formed of inextensible sections, decreasing the respiratory surface of the lungs. If there are two or three such parcel, and they are small, the patient may not notice. But if fibrosis is large, the problem starts with the breath. The most common symptom – shortness of breath. Fibrosis occurs not only influenced by virus infection. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for example, suffer many smokers with the experience. In severe cases, it leads to respiratory failure.
is There a way to prevent the development of such complications?
Olga Bogush: the Development of complications depends on many factors, from the severity of the disease in the first place. But the fight for the return of lung health is possible and necessary. It is based on physical rehabilitation. By the way, the Ministry of health recently released a great document with recommendations for rehabilitation after COVID-19.
sorry, we have no special drugs, no special technologies that help easy to operate in the same way as before the illness. For example, the currently popular vitamin D from COVID-19 and its consequences does not protect. Lung tissue needs to recover itself, and our task – to help her. The basic thing a person can do at home to deal with his physical recovery.
First of all, it breathing exercises. She has features. You need to perform exercises designed to restore the respiratory muscles, develop muscles responsible for inhaling and exhaling.
Breathing a lot. To my patients I recommend gymnastics by Alexandra Strelnikova, it works very well in almost any chronic lung disease. The recommendations of the Ministry of health stated that it is possible to practice yoga breathing. Interestingly, these breathing practices are very different, but on the condition of the lungs are good and that and another.
and, of course, limited to breathing exercises, while there remains a strong weakness. Gymnastics Strelnikova, by the way, you can perform the first sitting or even lying down – it still works.
When there remains a strong weakness, even lying to do a very simpletide things: for example, to inflate balloons or slowly exhale through a thin tube the end of which is lowered into the water. There are special trainers that train the inhale-exhale – they are beautiful and useful. Although quite expensive. I think it is possible to manage and without them – just use the means at hand and not be lazy. But gradually, I got stronger, it is necessary to add physical activity.
What exercises do you recommend?
Olga Bogush: Regular gymnastics is good enough. If the house is a stepper simulator, step path, a Bicycle is a great. But even just regular walking, arm swing, bending of the trunk and other basic exercises will help to recover faster.
When will the quarantine mode, and you can walk, add any physical activity in the fresh air. I would recommend aerobic exercise – moderate, but at least half an hour-hours.
the Most simple and safe – walking at a brisk pace, you can bike. But intensive activity, connecting the yoga exercises that can be done later when the body will recover after the disease.
are there Any other recommendations?
Olga Bogush: you Need to pay attention to dreams. Sleep disorders in the patients we see very often.
Many are now psychologically wary, they simply are afraid to get infected first, then, if ill, I’m afraid of complications. Stress recovery is slowing. It is important that the food was full. Increase the amount of protein in the diet is necessary for normal tissue repair in the body.
And I all my patients, including older age, I recommend to prevent to make vaccination against pneumococcus. This vaccination will protect from the occurrence of secondary bacterial pneumonia. Vaccines have long been known. They are time-tested. Safe and work very well.
Often, after suffering bronchitis or pneumonia, long lasting mild cough right for months, I know for myself. It should be treated?
Olga Bogush: Residual cough, indeed, can survive up to two months. Some time can hold small temperature – around 37 degrees, it’s not scary.
Sometimes patients themselves delay the process, for example, use inhalations with mucolytics – Mucosolvan or by some other similar drugs. This should not be. Inhalation to hydrate the Airways healthy-mineral water, with saline. But if you add mucolytics, this will provoke a cough.
So, if some unpleasant symptoms over time are not increasing shortness of breath, deteriorating health, the cough takes on a different character to it join��remained, wheezing, for example – in such cases it is not necessary to be treated yourself.
Afraid to go to the doctor in the hospital – there is now an opportunity to get advice remotely, projects of telemedicine are many.
A fear of COVID, I bought a pulse oximeter. After recovery, they are no longer needed or can be useful?
Olga Bogush: pulse oximeter helps to monitor how the recovery. Normal oxygenation level – 95-98 units, not less. 94 – it is not enough, it the reason for consulting a doctor. Only we must remember that there may be temporary fluctuations. For example, the person slept badly – oxygenation level had to be lower than usual. So it is necessary to focus on overall health.
What else helps besides gymnastics and inhalations?
Olga Bogush: to perform Well on vibration massage. It is not difficult: have someone easy to Pat with your palms on the back for a few minutes, carefully and not very “prostokat”, “to prosipat” the entire back. Helps to clear the Airways of mucus, works as a prophylaxis of stagnant phenomena in the lungs.
