COVID-19 and Lung Damage
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice.
Patients who recovered from a mild form of COVID-19 disease are battling the consequences for their bodies. They complain of long-lasting fatigue, shortness of breath, and some could hear crackles resembling the sound of crumpling paper when breathing.
Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis
Fibrosis is known as a condition in which connective tissue replaces normal lung tissue. It is the scarring of the lungs. Stiff fibrotic bands build up in the elastic lung tissue, reducing the respiratory surface area. Two or three small fibrotic bands may go unnoticed by the patient. However, severe scarring can affect breathing. The most common sign of this happening is breathlessness.
Unfortunately, there are no special medications capable of restoring lung function and capacity to the level before the disease. For example, the now-famous vitamin D cannot protect against COVID-19 and respective complications. Lung tissue needs to recover on its own, and our goal is to facilitate this process. The best thing patients can do at home is focused on their physical recovery.
Breathing Exercises after COVID-19
First of all, it is essential to do breathing exercises specific to COVID-19 recovery goals. Patients should perform those exercises that will help regain the fitness of their muscles of respiration and work on muscles involved in inhalation and exhalation.
A lot of people choose to blow up balloons: this simple exercise helps create expiratory resistance and activate those parts of the lungs, which are not actively involved in respiration. Pulmonologists recommend using condoms instead of balloons if a patient cannot afford to buy an exerciser. They proved to be more effective. However, the best results can be achieved with an exerciser, which creates not only expiratory resistance but also an air vibration effect sending it through the airways to the lungs. This technique reinforces the therapeutic effect and contributes to successful rehabilitation.
Wellness during COVID-19: Basic Breathing Techniques
More Information about COVID-19
You might also like