For several years now, experts have been examining the long-term effects of Covid. While some of the effects are still unknown, there’s no doubt that some people have lingering effects of Covid long after the disease is gone. This phenomenon, known as long Covid, affects everyone differently. Some people will have a few annoying symptoms, while others might have permanent damage that’s detrimental to their overall health.
If you want to learn more about long covid and POTS, Bethesda Physiocare is here to help. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 today to speak with one of our professionals.
What is a Covid Long Hauler
Covid long hauler is a name given to people who struggle with the lingering effects of Covid, known as long Covid. Long haulers can have a wide range of symptoms because Covid affects many different parts of the body and hits everyone differently. While many of the post-Covid symptoms may be tough to understand or deal with, it’s important to seek professional medical assistance if you’re a long hauler.
Unfortunately, post-Covid is an all-too-common condition. Studies are showing that between 20 and 25% of people who get Covid will become long haulers. Therefore, it’s vital to be vigilant and on the lookout for post-Covid symptoms. Contact us to learn more about what it means to be a Covid long hauler and how it affects those diagnosed with POTS.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Covid?
In terms of how it affects different people, long Covid is one of the most complicated diseases we know of. Symptoms can affect many different systems and parts of the body, including the respiratory, digestive, and neurological systems. Here are some potential long-term effects of Covid experienced by long haulers.
- Feeling excessively tired or fatigued for no reason
- Difficult taking deep breaths
- Permanent scarring of the lungs
- Heart palpitations
- Random coughing fits
- Occasional chest pain not stemming from heartburn
- Inability to concentrate or think clearly at times
- Struggling with headaches, insomnia, and other sleep problems
- Permanent changes in taste and smell
- Joint, muscle, and stomach pains
- A feeling of pins and needles on various parts of your skin
- Chronic or semi-chronic diarrhea
- Many more, depending on how Covid affects your body
In many cases, these lingering symptoms can then lead to struggles with depression or anxiety. These struggles are due in part because you’re not sure what’s happening to your body and in part to how they make you feel. While long-Covid symptoms are more common among the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, anyone can become a long hauler.
Treatment Options for Covid Long-Haulers
Because of how detrimental long Covid can be, seeking medical treatment to help with the condition is important. Here are some of the most popular and effective treatment options for Covid long haulers.
Breathing Exercises
One of the main systems affected by long Covid is the respiratory system. Covid tends to target the lungs, heart, and other vital organs for breathing. This is especially dangerous if you have been diagnosed with POTS. Therefore, it’s important to strengthen these muscles, especially the lungs, to increase your breathing capacity. At Bethesda Physiocare, we work with patients to improve their cardiovascular function through fun and engaging exercise, including virtual reality and externally focused exergaming.
Medications
Depending on how long Covid is affecting you, you might need over-the-counter or prescription medications to help treat certain symptoms.
Physical Therapy
While medications and breathing exercises are a good start, they’re limited in what they can do. For that reason, physical therapy is one of the best long-term treatment options for Covid long haulers. Physical therapy can help relieve symptoms of pain, muscular problems, breathing problems, and more. Additional services such as cold laser therapy and dry needling have also been shown to be effective.
If you’re struggling with post-Covid symptoms or POTS and think that physical therapy can help, contact us online or call (301) 656-5613. We offer a wide range of physical, manual, and alternative therapy services that can help long haulers.
