Long COVID-19 is a term that describes the condition where the COVID-19 virus’s symptoms last several weeks or even months after the onset of the illness. The World Health Organization defines long COVID-19 as:
“The illness that occurs in people who have a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; usually within three months from the onset of COVID-19, with symptoms and effects that last for at least two months. The symptoms and effects of post COVID-19 condition cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.”
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says that long COVID-19 lasts for more than three months. However, some people claim that if the symptoms persist after two months, this is long-haul COVID. Simply put, long-haul COVID is when someone has a positive diagnosis, but the symptoms hang on well past the initial few weeks of the illness period. The symptoms can be mild or severe, and they vary from person to person. A few of the common symptoms include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Breathlessness
- Change to the sense of taste or smell
- Chest pain or tightness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Joint or muscle aches or pain
- Not being able to focus or think straight
- Persistent cough
How to Manage Long COVID-19
If you believe that you have long COVID, there are things that you can do to help manage this condition. You may have to try a few different things until you find the one that will work for your situation. We’ll outline a few options below.
Find an Experienced Doctor or Healthcare Team
First, you want to make an appointment with your primary care physician. They can refer you to long COVID-19 clinics or get you in contact with specialists. Ideally, they’ll help you find a doctor or doctors who have experience in dealing with patients who have long COVID. These medical professionals will know how to provide supportive care and how to better manage your symptoms. Doctors who haven’t had a lot of experience with such patients might not feel comfortable coming up with a treatment plan, and they may make you feel like they’re dismissing you.
Talk to a Therapist Experienced in Chronic Conditions
Some therapists or clinicians who don’t have specific training may dismiss your symptoms as being psychosomatic. If you consult a therapist who has experience in dealing with chronic conditions, you’re more likely to get a solid support network to help you work through your symptoms and the lingering effects. Doctors who specialize in seeing and treating people with very complex medical conditions know that it’s not psychosomatic.
Take Steps to Reduce Your Inflammation
Research suggests that the symptoms of long COVID-19 can have links to inflammation, especially in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. So, you should take steps to lower your inflammation levels. Limit alcohol, quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep and reduce stress. Additionally, you may want to try following an anti-inflammatory diet, with permission from your doctor, that includes a lot of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and minimal simple carbohydrates like white flour and sugar.
Manage Your Fatigue
Persistent fatigue is one of the most common symptoms associated with long COVID-19. To manage it, you want to maintain a good balance between rest and effort. The goal is to aim for a gradual increase in your activity and exercise levels. Since you can experience peaks and drops in your energy levels, you don’t want to overdo it on the days you feel more energetic. This can set your recovery back and make the next day feel worse fatigue-wise. So, establishing a pattern of rest and activity is key. Consistency will help you avoid resting too much or getting too tired. It also gives you a baseline so you can slowly adjust what you can do.
Matthews Internal Medicine Can Help Manage Your Long-COVID-19 Symptoms
If you’re struggling with the lingering effects of COVID-19, contact us to request an appointment. We can help build you a support network and put you in touch with an experienced medical team who will help figure out a plan to get you on the road to recovery.