MOSCOW, 6 Mar - PRIME. Recovered from COVID-19 should check the heart, lungs, psyche and visit an endocrinologist, according to "Arguments and Facts" referring to doctors.
A HEART
Even the asymptomatic course of the disease strikes the organs, primarily the heart. According to research, heart problems occur in 50% of patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Primarily in the form of arrhythmias, acute and chronic heart failure. However, one of the most dangerous complications of coronavirus is myocarditis (an inflammatory process in the muscle layer of the heart), says therapist and physiotherapist Kirill Belan. It occurs even after a mild infection.
"This complication is often recorded even after a mild form of infection. The main signs of myocarditis are weakness, interruptions and pain in the heart region that do not disappear after taking nitroglycerin, shortness of breath (both at rest and during exercise), cough, dizziness, swelling of the extremities ", - the doctor specifies.
A patient with such a diagnosis will have to be treated with antiviral drugs and adhere to bed rest. Failure to comply with the doctor's prescriptions threatens heart failure.
THROMBES
Another common consequence of COVID-19 is hypercoagulability, that is, a tendency to form blood clots. It is caused by a cytokine storm, which is a powerful inflammatory response triggered by a virus. "Due to the disruption of the clotting system in the tissues of the body, multiple microscopic thrombosis are formed. This impairs the blood supply to many organs and leads to a wide variety of symptoms of the disease," explains Belan. Mature people, patients with cancer, those who have suffered a severe infection, as well as people with pre-existing disorders in the circulatory system are at high risk of developing blood clots. If such violations are detected, the patient will have to be treated with anticoagulants for a long time. To prevent blood clots, your doctor recommends maintaining an acceptable level of activity, drinking more water, resting, and eating foods with high nutritional value.
LUNGS
Physician and pulmonologist Vladimir Beketov added that coronavirus pneumonia causes fibrotic changes in the lungs, which interfere with normal air exchange and reduce oxygen saturation. As a result of the replacement of the lung tissue with connective tissue, cough, shortness of breath and other symptoms may occur, which persist up to three months after recovery. "Most pulmonologists believe that the body is able to cope with the effects of infection on its own. Recovery is facilitated by quitting smoking, breathing exercises, massage, which helps to get rid of inflammation," says the specialist.
DIABETES
In addition, COVID-19 can provoke the development of type 1 diabetes, endocrinologist Yuri Poteshkin recalled. He suggested that COVID-19 is capable of triggering this process in people genetically predisposed to it. In addition, the infection can lead to the manifestation of signs of type 2 diabetes.
"With a viral infection, insulin resistance increases, which, together with isolation and associated poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, increases the risk," the doctor explained. Therefore, in case of weakness, rapid fatigue, constant thirst, deterioration of vision, weight loss and slow healing of wounds, it is worth contacting an endocrinologist. In addition, plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin should be tested to help identify the early stage of the disease.
PSYCHE
In addition, studies show that those who have undergone the coronavirus often experience impairment of memory and attention, panic attacks, sleep problems and sudden mood swings. All this is associated with the neurotoxic effect of the virus, damage to the nervous system and brain. For a full recovery, doctors recommend restorative procedures: day and night rest, walks, meals by the hour. Puzzles and crosswords will help restore memory.