What is Post-COVID syndrome?
Post-COVID syndrome is a combination of symptoms that some of the COVID-19 patients experience for a longer period after acute infection. Just like in acute illness symptoms and their length may vary and patients can experience them for 6 months or even longer.
Most common symptoms:
Fatigue
Difficulty breathing
Joint pain
Chest pain
Brain fog, including an inability to concentrate and impaired memory
Loss of taste and/or smell
Sleep issues
What is the cause?
There are two main hypotheses. One says there are hidden areas of infection that stay in the body, and another explains it through the prolonged inflammatory response of the body. This means there is an immune reaction that is still ongoing even though there is no real threat anymore. In both main theories, this can affect any organ or body part. That is why symptoms may vary.
What are the consequences?
Symptoms can impact the quality of life. There are many trails that follow patients with Post-COVID syndrome and will have more information in the future. Currently, no severe impacts such as progressive organ failure have been connected to Post-COVID syndrome.
Who is at risk?
When it comes to numbers, studies suggest different numbers for Post-COVID syndrome. Numbers range from only 10% of people with COVID that will develop the post-COVID syndrome, up to 70% of people that will experience persistence of some symptoms.
Both, patients who had heavier symptoms, have been to ER during their COVID-19 acute infection or were hospitalized, as well as those with milder symptoms who were self-medicated at home might develop some of the long-term symptoms.
Patients with life-threatening COVID-19 infection who were hospitalized for severe pneumonia or stroke definitely need long-term specialized care and frequent follow-ups after being discharged as they are at higher risk.
If you are over the age of 50 or you have any underlying health conditions, particularly heart or lungs problems, hypertension, diabetes or you are overweight and you gave any of the symptoms mentioned above you might benefit from visiting Post-COVID Clinic.
What is a Post-COVID Clinic?
The Post Covid 19 Clinic specializes in the treatment of long terms symptoms and conditions resulting from Covdi-19 infections and includes a multitude of specialties that work together to ensure proper assessment and treatment of various stemming conditions.
A Clinic may have a team of doctors specializing in:
Family or intern medicine: Most probably the first point of care. Your doctor will carry out a general detailed assessment and discuss the specific problems and/or symptoms. You will then be further referred as needed to other specialized health experts as follows:
Cardiologist: for heart or Cardiovascular related problems including, palpitations, inflammation of the heart muscle or other COVID – 19 resulting heart problems.
Pulmonologist: for shortness of breath, lung damage, prolonged coughing
Haematologist: for any blood coagulation related problems.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation: for Joint Pain
Extended Specialty Areas may include:
Gastroenterologist: for stomach or abdominal pain as well as any acidity-related problems.
Neurology: for recurring headaches, loss of smell and taste, pins and needles, memory problems, difficulty in concentration, problems sleeping
ENT: for nose, throat and sinus problems
Psychiatry: for anxiety & panic attacks, depression, changes in mood
Nephrology: for acute kidney injuries
Dermatology: for rashes and hair
Conclusion:
Post-COVID syndrome is a new medical diagnoses and there is still more to be learned. What we know is that symptoms, particularly the extreme fatigue, can have negative effects on a person’s quality of life — impacting family life and work productivity.
Main goal of Post-COVID syndrome care is to reduce existing symptoms and improve life quality.
If you have any questions or you are in search for options covered under your health insurance plan, get in touch! Health Oasis is here to help to find the best doctors and healthcare options available in UAE.
