Are you struggling to get back into the swing of things since having Covid-19? You are battling with “long Covid”, a term used to describe symptoms that continue or develop after acute Covid-19 infection. There is so much we still don’t fully understand about the virus, but more and more frequently, we are seeing that many people complain of extreme fatigue and weakness, breathlessness with minimal exertion, chest pain or persistent cough (tight or loose), difficulty with memory and concentration (brain fog) and anxiety attacks that may continue for months after completing treatment. This is normal. If you are experiencing any of the above, we as physiotherapists can assist you.
How long does it take to recover after having Covid-19?
Recent studies have shown that the majority of Covid-19 patients have been troubled with fatigue or muscle weakness, sleep difficulties and anxiety or depression for up to six months after recovering from Covid-19. It has also been said that it could take up to a year to fully recover, especially if you were severely affected and were admitted to the hospital. Of course, this is not the same for everyone, but if you’re thinking that you should have fully recovered by now, don’t stress, you’re not the only one struggling. Take one day at a time and gradually increase the amount of activity you do daily.
What should be done to assist with recovering from long Covid?
The most recent research indicates that you need to include flexibility-, strengthening- and aerobic exercises into your routine to help you to recover optimally. Because the lungs are often most severely affected, it is also important to include breathing exercises into your programme and adopt the correct breathing pattern when doing your exercises. If you feel you are battling to get through your day because of breathlessness, fatigue, or any of the above-mentioned long Covid symptoms, or that your efforts in achieving a full recovery are proving to be fruitless, please don’t hesitate to visit your physiotherapist for a friendly helping hand.
