COVID-19, Novel Corona Virus are the words that have changed our lives north and south since the past year. The virus has an inevitable impact on all aspects; the economy, trades, mental and physical health both.
The world’s major population has been diagnosed and recovered from the virus. Yet there have been many patients who lost the battles with this deadly virus and couldn’t make it to the other sides.
Some common symptoms of COVID-19 are
- Shortness of breath or difficulties in breathing
- Severe cough
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Fast heartbeats
- Loss of smell and taste
- Fever, high temperature
- Chest pain
The studies so far show the major effects caused by the virus are on the respiratory system, heart muscles, and brain.
- SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 when attacks your body, it contacts the mucous membrane in the nose, mouth, and eyes. The receptor ACE2 that the virus uses enters a healthy cell and multiplies itself.
- The virus goes all the way down to your lung’s finest parts alveoli where the oxygen goes into the bloodstream; hence there is a lack of oxygen in the body.
- This virus affects cardiovascular health severely too. The virus directly inflames the heart muscles and also disrupts the balance of oxygen supply in the bloodstream.
- The demand for oxygen in the body cannot be met due to this illness of the heart. Fever and infection make your heart rate speed up developing pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.
The symptoms and effects of COVID are severe to such an extent sometimes that experts say that it might cause long-term effects on individuals.
Young adults affected mildly or people with no other medical conditions are likely to recover within 4 weeks. Whereas, those who already have medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes may or may not recover from the virus attack or take a longer time to recover and are at risk for long-term complications.
The long term effects of COVID-19
Since the monstrous virus majorly affects the brain, heart, and lungs causing a lack of oxygen in the body experts to say these can be the long-term effects of COVID-19 on health.
Respiratory problems
It is clear that the lungs are more prone to virus damage and are the major reason for the lack of oxygen in the body. Patients may have chest pain, shortness of breath, and constant fatigue nearly for six months even after maximum recovery.
Novel Corona Virus has the potential to cause inflammation in the lungs which affect the respiratory health of the patients.
Effect on cardiovascular health
Studies show that patients of COVID -19 who already have heart conditions might have longer effects of the virus.
Although the exact time period of the effect lasting is not specific yet; JAMA Network studies show that increased incidence of heart failure as a sequela of COVID-19 is of concern in both younger and older individuals even after recovering a few weeks ago.
Neurological disorders
The novel coronavirus penetrates brain tissues causing anosmia also called smell blindness. It is the most common neurological effect of the virus after headache and vertigo.
Strokes and seizures in the brain along with other neurological effects are too counted in the long-term ones. Many patients have been complaining about headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision after recovering.
Mental well being
COVID diagnosed patients are kept in isolation for many days till they recover, and that has a toll on the emotional and mental well-being of the patients. The stigma related has become pervasive and results in a feeling of hopelessness.
The stress and anxiety during this period, patients are suffering from psychotic behavioral problems.
How can you get grip with these problems?
Be aware and observe all of the changes that occur in your body that are unusual or you feel uneasy about it.
Contact a doctor when you find something difficult to cope with even after recovering.
If you find any symptoms, get yourself tested immediately and self –isolate to prevent the virus from spreading. In these times, do not hesitate to seek medical health even for a minute.
Conclusion
These times are difficult for people in the whole wide world. The virus has affected all walks of life; from health to occupations and economy everybody and everything is suffering.
Make sure you practice all the safety measures which include maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, using sanitizers, staying home, and not going out without any necessity.
Take care of you and your loved ones’ physical as well as mental well-being, to prevent the spread and the effects of the disease.
3 Comments