An important stage of recovery from COVID-19 is the rehabilitation process. It is rehabilitation that will help the patient to restore their physical capabilities and stabilize their mental health.
The main mechanism of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes coronavirus infection, is airborne, meaning that the virus spreads rapidly among the population. There are also two forms of COVID-19: asymptomatic and symptomatic. Patients who have severe symptoms of the disease will always need a phased recovery. Therefore, it is important to create a comprehensive approach, so rehabilitation includes both physical methods and mental health support.
Who needs long-term rehabilitation after COVID-19?
First, these are people with severe coronavirus disease that lasted from 3 weeks to several months. The following period and further complications have a medical term - "post-covid syndrome". It includes various symptoms, for example:
- lung damage;
- inflammation in the heart, such as myocarditis and pericarditis;
- cognitive disorders that affect memory and concentration;
- pain in muscles and joints;
- chronic fatigue.
Types of rehabilitation after COVID-19
Next, let's look at the types of rehabilitation that will help you overcome post-COVID syndrome faster and adapt to everyday life more easily. Physical rehabilitation helps to restore muscle function, improve blood circulation and reduce the likelihood of mental disorders due to temporary restrictions on movement. Physiotherapists help patients to perform passive joint movements, change bed positions, resume walking and other exercises. It is important to note that patients face weakness after physical activity, so it is important to find an approach to each patient and take into account any change in their condition.
Pulmonary rehabilitation also improves the strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles, helps to reduce shortness of breath and increase lung capacity. There are a number of exercises that will help control the rhythm of breathing, strengthen the respiratory muscles and promote the proper discharge of sputum from the bronchi.
COVID-19 affects the nervous system, so it often leads to cognitive impairment. Patients report memory loss, problems with concentration, and mood swings. Therefore, cognitive rehabilitation therapy is designed to cope with such changes and bring the brain's mental functioning back to normal. Various memory exercises and logical tasks will help people with post-COVID syndrome to restore their cognitive functions faster.
Restoring mental health
The emotional experiences associated with a serious illness can affect a patient's mental health in several ways. Some people who survive COVID-19 experience psychological trauma, which is a reaction to severe stress. This can then turn into depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which causes increased excitability, restless sleep, and nightmares. Most often, PTSD is observed in patients who have been in intensive care. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, patients with chronic illnesses are more likely to develop depression after COVID-19. Only an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist, during online therapy or in person, will help you find effective treatments for mental disorders. There are also support groups for people who have overcome COVID-19.
All of the above methods in this article will effectively interact in a complex until complete recovery from coronavirus disease, because it is so important to restore the functioning of all body systems so that a person can return to the usual rhythm of life and breathe fully.