Page 19 - Seniorstoday April 2022 Issue
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recovered from Covid-19 (fourteen days             NOTE: Findings are that long-term effects
         is the set norm) but are still experiencing        of Covid-19 appear to be more widespread
         post-Covid-19 symptoms; (The symptoms              than previously thought. We now know
         range from hair loss, heart disease, brain         that the Covid-19 virus affects the clotting
         fog, nerve disorders, persistent cough,            system, increasing the risk of Thrombosis.
         altered sense of smell and taste, sleep and
         mood alterations, fatigue, to mention the          Post Covid-19 symptoms include —
         most common of all.) chances are you have          Lingering fatigue and weakness, body
         Long Covid. Signs and symptoms can be              aches, headaches, shortness of breath or
         unpredictable, life-threatening and can            difficulty breathing, lapses in memory
         even persist for a long time after recovery,       and brain fog, poor concentration, sleep
         which can range from a few weeks or                difficulty and related issues, low moods,
         many months after being diagnosed with             muscular pain, racing heartbeat, post
         Covid-19.                                          Covid-19 bronchitis, dry cough and
          Doctors and scientists are still working          worsening of pre-existing comorbidities.
         on figuring out the enigma of Long Covid.          Covid-19 and your lungs —
         Research and studies being continuously            We all know that Covid-19 is
         conducted in an effort to understand how           predominantly a respiratory disease,
         it affects people, time spans of symptoms,         one that targets your respiratory tract
         resolving infections timely and permanent          and lungs, that’s why some of the most
         damage caused to the organic body. Any             common symptoms caused are a spectrum
         patient or person who develops post                of breathing problems from mild to critical
         COVID-19 conditions should seek medical            and are respiratory related like trouble
         care immediately. The care recommended             breathing, coughing, sore throat, loss of
         and administered should be multifaceted            smell and taste.
         by including your family physician,
         specialised professionals and in some              What does the virus do to your lungs?
         cases even psychosocial and mental health          Think of your respiratory tract as an
         professionals.                                     inverted tree. The trunk of the tree is your
                                                            windpipe which splinters into smaller
                                                            branches in your lung. At the end of each
                                                            branch are tiny air sacs through which
                                                            oxygen goes into your blood and carbon
                                                            dioxide is expelled. The new coronavirus
                                                            infects the upper or lower part of your
                                                            respiratory tract and travels down your
                                                            airways. The lining of your tract gets
                                                            irritated and inflamed and in some cases the
                                                            virus even reaches your air sacs, inflaming
                                                            your lungs, damaging the cells and tissue
                                                            in your lungs and can finally even lead to
                                                            pneumonia. Older adults and people who
                                                            have other health conditions like cancer,


        SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #34 | APRIL 2022                                                              19
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