How can treatment be managed in cases of long-term COVID?

How can treatment be managed in cases of long-term COVID?

While most COVID-19 cases recover within a few weeks, some experience persistent symptoms that last for months, known as "long COVID." This health condition has become a significant challenge since 2020, directly impacting the quality of life of those affected, leading to difficulties in work and daily activities, in addition to the ongoing psychological and physical impact. Recognizing this condition, understanding its symptoms, and appropriately managing it are essential to reduce its complications and improve the quality of life for those affected.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of long COVID, starting with the definition of the condition and its most common symptoms, moving on to treatment and medical management strategies, and ending with how to support patients psychologically and physically to ensure gradual recovery and improve their quality of life.

Definition of Long COVID

Long COVID is a health condition characterized by persistent or new symptoms four weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection. While most people recover within a short period, some people experience persistent or intermittent symptoms that last for months, significantly impacting their daily lives.

Common Symptoms

The most common symptoms of long COVID include:

• Chronic fatigue and exhaustion: Often severe and persisting even after mild activity, making it difficult to perform normal daily tasks.

• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing: Even after recovering from the acute phase of the virus, some may experience lung problems or decreased endurance.

• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, fragmented dreams, or persistent insomnia.

• Concentration and memory problems (“brain fog”): Difficulty thinking clearly, forgetting details, and a reduced ability to concentrate for long periods.

• Muscle and joint pain: Persistent pain or stiffness in muscles and joints, sometimes for no apparent reason.

• Gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms: These include nausea, diarrhea, palpitations, or chest pain in some patients.

Highly Vulnerable Groups

Although long COVID can affect anyone, certain groups are more susceptible to developing the condition:

• Older adults, due to a weakened immune system.

• People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.

• People who experienced severe symptoms during the initial infection.

Medical Assessment

Management of long COVID begins with a thorough medical assessment to ensure appropriate care is provided for each individual case.

Medical Diagnosis

The patient should follow up with a specialist doctor or clinic specializing in long COVID. Diagnosis is based on the patient's medical history, current symptoms, and excluding other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Possible Tests

The doctor may recommend several tests to determine the extent of the virus's impact on the body:

• Blood tests: to assess inflammation, liver and kidney function, and blood oxygen levels.

• Pulmonary and cardiac function assessment: including x-rays, ECGs, and breathing tests.

• Neurological and psychological examinations: to assess the condition's impact on the brain and mood, especially in the presence of brain fog, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.

Identifying each patient's primary symptoms

Given the variability and severity of long-term COVID symptoms among individuals, the treatment plan is often personalized for each patient. The physician identifies the symptoms that most impact quality of life and then develops appropriate treatment strategies for each aspect, whether physical or psychological, to ensure gradual recovery and improve the patient's daily functioning.

Treatment Management Strategies

Managing long COVID requires a multi-dimensional approach that combines medical care, lifestyle modifications, and psychosocial support.

A. Supportive Therapy

• Rest and Energy Management (Pacing): One of the most important strategies to avoid extreme fatigue. The patient breaks up their daily activity into short periods with rest breaks and reduces strenuous tasks to prevent worsening symptoms.

• Physiotherapy: Contributes to muscle strengthening and improving respiratory capacity and physical fitness. This can include simple walking exercises, deep breathing exercises, and flexibility exercises.

• Psychotherapy and Psychological Support: Given the impact of long COVID on mental health, psychotherapy helps address anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, and enhances the ability to cope with chronic symptoms.

B. Medications as Needed

• Pain and anti-inflammatory medications: To relieve persistent muscle and joint pain.

• Medications to improve breathing or control heart palpitations: Used in the presence of cardiac or pulmonary symptoms, after careful medical evaluation.

• Medications to treat sleep disorders or anxiety: Use only after consulting a physician to ensure safe dosages and avoid drug interactions.

C. Lifestyle Modifications

• Healthy Nutrition: Eat balanced meals rich in vitamins and minerals to support immunity and daily energy.

• Regular Sleep: Following a consistent sleep routine helps recovery and reduce chronic fatigue.

• Gradually Incorporate Light Exercise: Practice physical activity cautiously, monitoring symptoms to avoid fatigue or worsening.

Community and Family Support

Recovery from long COVID is not limited to medical care alone; it also includes social and psychological support:

• Support Groups: Encouraging patients to join long COVID groups can provide an environment to understand shared experiences and share successful recovery strategies.

• Involving Family and Friends: Provide psychological and moral support, help with dividing daily tasks, and monitor symptoms regularly.

• Educate Patients: Patients should be reminded that recovery is often gradual and may last for several months, and that continued adherence to treatment and support accelerates recovery and improves quality of life.

These integrated strategies help effectively manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce long-term complications of long COVID.

Continuous Medical Follow-up

Continuous follow-up with physicians is an essential part of managing long COVID to ensure gradual recovery and prevent complications.

• Regular physician visits: Regular visits to a physician or specialized clinic should be scheduled to monitor symptoms and review the treatment plan. These visits help adjust medication dosages, evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and psychotherapy, and identify any signs of deterioration.

• Daily symptom documentation: Patients are advised to record all symptoms they experience daily, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or mood changes. This record helps the physician understand the pattern of symptoms and accurately assess the extent of improvement or deterioration.

• Coordination between different medical specialties: Given the multiplicity of symptoms and their impact on various body systems, coordination between pulmonologists, cardiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and any other specialties as needed is essential to ensure comprehensive treatment of every aspect of the condition.

Conclusion

Long COVID is a complex health challenge, impacting the physical, psychological, and social health of those affected. Managing it requires a careful personal assessment, a multidimensional treatment plan, and ongoing support from family and community.

We urge every reader to adhere to regular medical supervision, consider rest and energy management strategies, and consider psychological and physical support, as these are essential elements for improving quality of life and gradual recovery.

From a future perspective, ongoing scientific research into effective treatments and improving treatment protocols remains essential, along with ongoing community awareness about long COVID to ensure appropriate support for patients and minimize the negative impact of this condition on their daily lives.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 2025 that you should watch out for?