While most people make a full recovery from COVID-19, some can develop complications. COVID-19 rehabilitation focuses on helping people regain their physical and cognitive abilities after the illness.
The virus SARS-CoV-2, which spreads easily from person to person, causes COVID-19. Symptoms range from mild to severe, though not everyone develops any. An essay writer is a person whose job is to create articles and these medical information will be highlighted in an the form of essay.
People who experience severe or debilitating symptoms may need support as they recover. This may include:
- physical therapy
- pulmonary rehabilitation
- cognitive rehabilitation
- mental health support
This article explores why some people may need rehabilitation after COVID-19, the different types available, and some online and in-person resources that may help.
COVID-19 can affect the body in a variety of ways. While 81% of people experience mild to moderate illness and recover without treatment, 14% develop severe symptoms that can last several weeks or months. An online essay writing service offers an original medical content in essay format crafted by our professional essay writers.
Some people also go on to develop “long COVID,” which occurs when COVID-19 symptoms linger for weeks or months after acquiring the initial infection. Some people refer to this group as “long haulers.”
People who are recovering from severe illness, or who have long COVID, may require rehabilitation to manage the aftereffects of COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these include:
- lung damage
- heart damage or inflammation, such as myocarditis or pericarditis
- cognitive impairments that affect memory or concentration
- conditions that affect the blood vessels, such as clotting
- lasting effects from complications, such as heart attacks, stroke, or pulmonary embolism
- anxiety, depression, or trauma
- muscle or joint pain
- chronic fatigue
People who required ventilation while they had COVID-19 may experience further complications, such as delirium or injury to the airways. Lasting fatigue or long stays in an intensive care unit (ICU) can also weaken the muscles due to the prolonged rest.
The following sections look at the types of rehabilitation that may help people recovering from COVID-19 and its long-term effects. The writer assigned to write my essay request related to medical information is qualified to the same academic level or higher than your writing requirements.
Physical rehabilitation
Some people who recover from COVID-19 may need physical rehabilitation to help them resume normal activities after staying in the hospital, or following periods of prolonged isolation.
Physical therapy can help those with decreased strength begin to move more, gradually building up their stamina. According to a 2020 review, physical therapy for those recovering from COVID-19 aims to:
- restore function to the muscles
- reduce the likelihood of mental health conditions that may occur as a result of limited mobility
- enable people to return to their normal lives
How physical therapists achieve this depends on a person’s unique circumstances and stage of recovery. If they are still in the hospital, this can involve:
- helping people learn to change positions in bed
- performing passive joint motion, which consists of a therapist moving someone’s body for them
- teaching stretches a person can do in bed or at their bedside
- helping people practice walking without aid
After someone leaves the hospital, a physical therapist may recommend:
- aerobic exercises that people can do around the home, such as walking up and down the stairs
- low-intensity resistance training, such as squats or carrying objects
- balance training
Postexertional malaise
It is important to note that many people with long COVID report that exercise can temporarily worsen their symptoms. This is known as postexertional malaise (PEM).
For this reason, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom advise doctors not to use graded exercise therapy to treat people with long COVID.
If a person notices their symptoms worsen during or after exercise, they should stop the activity and rest. It is important for anyone recovering from COVID-19 to carefully pace their exercise so they do not experience PEM, injury, or other side effects. Hire a reliable online essay writer who will create an original paper and deliver it on time.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
COVID-19 can have long-term effects on lung function in some people. These are more likely in those with an existing chronic illness that affects the lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Pulmonary rehabilitation, or respiratory physiotherapy, has the following aims:
- reducing shortness of breath
- improving lung capacity
- managing any respiratory complications
- reducing the impact of respiratory symptoms on mental health
Like physical therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation also works to improve muscle strength and endurance. By helping someone become more active, they can also improve their breathing.
However, specific interventions can ease symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These exercises include:
- training to adjust someone’s breathing rhythm
- techniques to strengthen the breathing muscles
- expectoration training, which helps someone clear mucus from the airways