The covid 19 infection has taken the world by a toll. Patients infected by the virus have reported both mild and severe symptoms associated with the virus. Many patients with severe complications had to be rehabilitated under the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a complete stabilized recovery.
However, long term dependency on ICU can reduce the internal activities of our body, creating the need of specialized care after the initial hospital stay.
Patients hospitalized in the ICU to be treated for Covid 19 are prone to experience pulmonary complications like pneumonia, acute respiratory distress etc. Patients have also been reported to suffer from Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) due to elongated stay at the ICU. The residual impact of the virus has also resulted in strokes and sepsis which has caused multi system failure and organ damage in a few cases. The long-term acute care hospitalization plays a positive role in covid 19 recovery.
However, prolonged stay at the ICU can lead to the development of high-risk post intensive care syndrome – inducing weakness, respiratory weakness, cognitive dysfunctionality, mental health disorders etc.
To help patients recover better from Covid 19, medical experts are now weaning patients off ventilation and introducing diet, speech therapy, pulmonary therapy, and dialysis to reduce the risk associated with long term ventilation. Patients suffering from PICS are recommended to establish a diet regimen, good exercise regime via therapies to aid recovery.
Sleep
Our body recovers the best when it is at rest as testing allows our organs to reassess their roles and regulate themselves. Our sleep cycle is often disturbed when our body is fighting a foreign infection. Our sleep cycle is regulated according to the circadian rhythm; therefore, it is essential to get 10 hours of sleep for proper recovery and good health.
Diet
As our body fights external forces, it requires a good diet that energizes our system with nutrients that helps fight lingering infections. Food rich in protein, iron, minerals, and antioxidants are recommended by nutritionists and dieticians to enable our bodies recover faster. These nutrients not only restore our immune system but also regulate our hormonal functions. A diet rich in protein helps gain strength and fight comorbidities.
Exercise
Light but consistent exercises are recommended by medical experts to help our bodies get back to daily activities. Exercising makes use of all our muscles thus relieving our bodies of joint pain, muscle soreness and physical weakness and lethargy. Gentle exercises help us get back in shape and regulate our respiratory organs for better functionality.
Brain Exercises
Covid 19 has long lasting impact on our mental health leading to cognitive disorders and disturbances like anxiety, depression, and weak memory. Mental exercises help us in increasing our concentration by providing challenges that not only eases mental strain and fatigue but also makes our brain active.
To cater to a proper rehabilitation against the above cited setbacks of ICU stay for Covid 19, VLCC Healthcare has launched Post Covid Recovery Programs that aims at nurturing our customers & clients back to good health with complete recovery and care against the after-effects of Covid 19 Virus infection and symptoms.
Source url – http://blogs.rediff.com/shahp6613/2021/06/22/post-icu-care-for-covid-recovery/