POST COVID-19 COMPLICATIONS AND HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

 Abstract 

Vanquishing the virus plays a big challange in battle against covid-19(coronavirus-2 SARS-CoV-2) patients. People with severe symptoms of the virus could be dealing with complications for years even after the recovery. COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness of the lungs which consist of air sacs where the fluid is filled, limiting their capacity to absorb oxygen which ultimately leads to symptoms like shortness of breath, cough etc.

Introduction

Till today COVID-19 pandemic continues to unwind, After recovery, patients remain at risk for lung disease, heart disease, frailty, and mental health disorders. There may also be long-term sequelae of adverse events that develop in the course of COVID-19 and its treatment. For patients diagnosed with COVID-19, surviving the disease may be just the first battle among many on the long road to recovery. Although there is not yet enough data to definitively establish and characterize a post-COVID-19 syndrome, potential long-term consequences can be inferred from emerging data as well as prior experiences with other serious respiratory illnesses and the broader post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), a constellation of physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities that can develop in those surviving critical illness.3 Patients with severe manifestations of COVID-19 often progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and require mechanical ventilation. ARDS may cause permanent scarring of the lung tissue, resulting in respiratory problems that persist long after recovery.tients experiencing PICS generally report higher incidences of cognitive and physical dysfunction, which often persist long-term.

Researches

Gregory Poland, of the Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, U.S., says: “This is a disease that has a number of mysteries involved, compared to the usual respiratory virus... there is diminution of immunity, long-term fatigue, headaches, vertigo, difficulty with cognition, and cardio-respiratory fitness. But a large portion of that is likely to relate to the significant cellular level damage this disease can cause... This can be a really wicked virus in some people.

In a letter published in Nature Medicine in June, researchers from China explained that CT scans done in asymptomatic people revealed abnormal radiological findings in one lung in 66.7% of the asymptomatic people and abnormalities in both lungs in 33.3% of them. While it is said that senior citizens and people with co-morbidities are more likely to suffer long-term effects, even children and the young who had milder versions of the disease are reporting persistent symptoms.

The WHO mentions a telephone survey of symptomatic adults who had a positive outpatient test result for SARS-CoV-2: 35% had not returned to their usual state of health when interviewed 2–3 weeks after testing. Among those 18-34 years in good health, 20% reported that some symptoms were prolonged.

Pulmonary complications of Post COVID 19

The most common lung problem faced post-COVID-19 recovery includes lung fibrosis. As there is initial lung damage caused it further leads to scarring of lungs due to which quality of life eventually comes down. That is the inflammation stage gives way to the fibrosis stage. This condition requires the support of home oxygenation even after discharge and recovery. In some cases, lung fibrosis may also affect the cardiac health of an individual causing Cor Pulmonale which occurs as a complication of severe lung disorders. The extent of fibrosis decides the further complications attached. Pulmonary Thrombo Embolism (PTE) is another pulmonary issue which may affect people post-COVID-19 recovery. Its prevalence has increased due to continuous restriction of movement while tackling the virus. It refers to a blockage or clot in the pulmonary artery, which prevents the oxygen from reaching the lungs.

The methods involved in taking care of these conditions are to administer medications such as Anticoagulant and Antifibrotic drugs along with plus or minus home oxygenation. Anticoagulants usually help in preventing the formation or enlargement of blood clots whereas Antifibrotics reduces the risk of acute respiratory degradation. General preventive measures for patients with pulmonary issues include stocking up medications and supplies for weeks in advance, avoid visiting crowded places and non-essential travel and by staying at home as much as possible. Avoiding smoking, paying attention to immunity levels and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is mandatory.

Other Manifestations

Among the more common lingering symptoms are fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle and joint pain. In Chennai, doctors who had recovered from COVID-19 to return to work complained of chronic fatigue, besides myalgia (muscle pain) and weakness.

Heart: imaging tests taken months after recovery show lasting damage to the heart muscle, even in those with only mild symptoms, increasing the risk of heart failure or other heart complications.

Brain: strokes, seizures and Guillain-Barre syndrome that causes temporary paralysis. An increased risk of developing Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease is possible.

Blood: blood cells are more likely to clump up and form clots. While large clots can cause heart attacks and strokes, much of the heart damage caused by COVID-19 is believed to stem from very small clots that block capillaries in the heart muscle. Blood throwing such clots can affect other organs as well — the lungs, legs, liver, kidneys; Mood disorders: simply surviving this experience can make a person more likely to later develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

Most people who have the novel coronavirus disease recover completely within a few weeks. Only some people, including even those who had mild versions of the disease, continue to experience symptoms after their initial recovery. Even people who tested positive but were asymptomatic during the course of their disease are not immune either from long-term effects.

HOME REMEDIES 

Here are some easy steps you can take to tackle a flu virus of any kind, including corona virus. It is not necessary to follow all the steps at once. You can pick and choose a combination of remedies that suit you best.

· Have five duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear

· A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be taken every day, but only once each season, or once a month.

· Those who can take garlic, must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.

· Those not allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a small measure of haldi (turmeric).

· Aloe vera (gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.

· Do Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders for your body's resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose, throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.

· Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not available, it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly available nowadays.

· Last but not the least; wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water for 15 - 20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or used public transport. Alcohol based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all times and used until you can get soap and warm water. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.

 

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:

 

Homoeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homoeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homoeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. Please consult a qualified homoeopath before taking any homoeopathic remedy for Covid 19.

 

Advisory for Corona virus From AYUSH

 

Preventive Management Steps are suggested are

 

• Maintain personal hygiene.    

· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available.

• Drink Shadang Paniya (Musta, Parpat, Usheer, Chandan,Udeechya & Nagar) processed water (10 gm powder boiled in 1-liter water, until it reduces to half). Store it in a bottle and drink it when thirsty.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your face during cough or sneeze and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Preferably, use an N95 mask while traveling or working in public places to avoid droplet transmission

• If you suspect Corona Viral infection, wear a mask and contact your nearest hospital immediately.

 

Prophylactic Measures/Immunomodulatory drugs as per the Homoeopathic  practices.

 

At the instance of Ministry of AYUSH, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy(CCRH) discussed the ways and means of prevention of Coronavirus infection throughHomoeopathy in 64th meeting of its Scientific Advisory Board on 28th January 2020. The Group of Experts inter-alia has recommended that homoeopathy medicine Arsenicum album 30 could be taken as prophylactic medicine against Coronavirus infections, which has also been advised for prevention. It has recommended one doze of Arsenicum album 30, daily in empty stomach for three days. The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule in case Coronavirus infections prevail in the community. The Expert Group has further suggested that general hygienic measures for prevention of air-borne infections suggested by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, for prevention of the disease should also be followed by the public. This advocacy is for information only and shall be adopted in consultation with registered homoeopathic practitioners only.

 

The remedies that may useful for treating complications would be Aconitum, Arsenic-album, Belladonna, Bryonia, Allium Cepa, Arsenicum Iodide,Rhus Tox, Influenzinum, Dulcamara, Phosphorus