Rehabilitation After COVID-19 - Respiratory Lung Regeneration

Complications After Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

About 80% of infected individuals have a mild or moderate course of COVID-19 disease and don't need treatment. However, approximately 20% of patients have serious symptoms and post-COVID consequences that can pose a threat to their lives. Due to the complicated course of the disease, such patients require hospitalization and constant medical care. Some of them may also have so-called long COVID – when coronavirus symptoms persist from several weeks to several months.

What happens to the lungs when infected with coronavirus?

When the virus enters the chest, SARS-CoV-2 begins to affect the airways, causing inflammation. A dry, persistent cough appears, pressure in the chest, and severe pain when breathing. For some people (most often older patients and those with comorbidities), the infection poses a greater threat. Trying to fight the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, lung tissue fills with fluid and remnants of dead cells. This process makes it difficult for the patient's body to absorb oxygen and causes pneumonia. Sometimes this inflammation leads to long-term breathing problems and shortness of breath after COVID-19.

Respiratory Rehabilitation After COVID-19

Since SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus from the coronavirus group and the population is not immune to it, it is recommended that doctors closely monitor people who have had COVID-19 disease. Every person who needs respiratory convalescence after pneumonia should contact a post-COVID rehabilitation center. Independent exercise without prior consultation with a doctor can be dangerous to the patient's health. The goal of breathing exercises is to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms, namely shortness of breath, feelings of anxiety and depression, and other post-COVID complications. During a consultation at the clinic, the doctor will show how to properly perform breathing exercises in rehabilitation and various types of respiratory gymnastics. With individually selected rehabilitation after coronavirus, lung capacity can be effectively improved.

Breathing Exercises – COVID-19 Physiotherapy

Lung regeneration after COVID, in addition to exercises from the field of physiotherapy, also includes proper breathing technique. Controlled breathing will help the patient relax and regain control over their breath.

Breathing Exercise Examples

• Shoulder Raising and Circling:

Sit comfortably on a chair, feet resting on the floor. Slowly raise your shoulders toward your ears, then lower them with an exhale. After a few repetitions, return to the starting position (shoulders loosely lowered along the torso). Then slowly begin to make circular movements with your shoulders forward and backward.

• Side Bends:

Stand straight – shoulders lowered along the torso. Alternately lower your arms along the torso toward the floor, performing a side bend. After each bend, return to the starting position and continue the exercise.

• Marching in Place:

Stand straight (lean on a chair or wall if necessary) and alternately raise your knees, varying the height and pace. This exercise is intended for people who don't have the opportunity to go for a walk or are unable to walk a longer distance.

• Step Climbing:

Stand in front of a step, start performing the exercise slowly, controlling your breathing. Step up and down from the step. After 10 repetitions, change the leg you start the exercise with. In addition to warm-up and fitness techniques, there are also strengthening and calming exercises that may be equally necessary in the convalescence process after coronavirus. However, remember to monitor your wellbeing and breathing. If you run out of breath, stop exercising and rest. All techniques and their intensity should be individually tailored to each patient. There are also a number of contraindications for breathing exercises with pneumonia. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional medical consultation.

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