Disclaimer: These tips were initially compiled after the Covid wave in April-May-June 2021 - what doctors learned after watching the post-Covid effects on patients who had fully recovered. Whether these are relevant for all variants, we don't know yet - though doctors are now finding connections between the increase in heart attacks (even in the young) and Covid infections, even Omicron. See article below. These are easy steps to follow and could save lives - as always, prevention is FAR cheaper than cure. 😀
Note: Just because you were asymptomatic/had very mild symptoms, it does not mean that you will not have after-effects or long Covid. This is what makes Covid different from so many other viral infections.
The first 3 months post Covid
- Are very critical. An opportunity to reverse any after-effects that do not yet show any symptoms.
- You will know of after-effects only if you do tests. Too early for symptoms.
- For example, being in the pre-diabetic stage has absolutely no symptoms. But if ignored, you could become diabetic - which is far more difficult to reverse and may require medical treatment. The pre-diabetic stage could be reversed without medicines, with only the right diet, exercise, and reduction of stress.
- Some health parameters will go haywire post any infection and then come back to normal eventually, for most people.
- After Covid, for some people, the numbers do not return to normal. Research is still ongoing as to why some people are more susceptible to after effects than others. Right now we can't accurately predict who will have problems after full recovery and who won't.
- What causes long Covid? (Jan 31, 2022)
Tests to do immediately after recovery
- A few basic blood tests are usually prescribed to check impact to your health parameters. These are some of the tests doctors prescribe usually to check your risk of heart disease or diabetes post Covid. (Google to know more about illnesses that follow Covid) Please check with your doctor - they will prescribe tests based on your existing health condition, predisposition to certain illnesses etc.
- CBC + ESR
- High Sensitivity CRP
- Troponin
- D Dimer
- Check cortisol when you do your blood test - if stress is high, your blood sugar will go up.
- Based on the results, your doctor may advice a more detailed health checkup.
- Some people develop diabetes post Covid. Including children. If caught early you can reverse this through diet.
- The D Dimer test helps predict the possibility of blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. It may be naturally elevated for people with certain conditions. So please consult a doctor. If needed, your doctor may prescribe an anticoagulant.
- If the numbers don't settle down after a few months a good nutritionist could help set right some things - if caught early. The longer the delay, you may need medication.
Exercise
- DO NOT re-start exercise the week after you recover, even if you are feeling great. People have died of heart attacks post Covid, sometimes months later - with no warning signals whatsoever. And often during exercise. "As the body’s immune system fights off the virus, the inflammatory process can damage some healthy tissues, including the heart."
- Heart Problems After Covid-19: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/heart-problems-after-covid19
- Give it at least a month before you do anything strenuous - or much more if you have long Covid symptoms. Maybe your Covid was very mild, and you did not take any medicines - but your body has gone through a lot of wear and tear internally, which you cannot see.
- Get clearance from your doctor before you do anything strenuous - exercise-induced long Covid can go on for months together and significantly lower your quality of life, put you at risk of other health issues.
Recovery/Healing/Prevention of Long Covid
- Ayurveda has rasaayanaas to be taken immediately after recovery for a couple of weeks - which help rejuvenate the entire system internally and heal the damage done during the fight against the virus. This supposedly helps reduce the possibility of after-effects and long Covid. Consult a good Ayurvedic doctor.
- If you develop long Covid, see tips here: http://asha-usefulinfo.blogspot.com/2021/09/long-covid-tips-on-dealing-with-it.html
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