As the end of the COVID-19 pandemic inches closer, many professionals are assessing the long-term damage done by the virus.
Economists, healthcare professionals, and other experts are already starting to weigh in on the long-term effects of COVID-19, and it’s clear that we’ll feel this illness’ impact for a long time.
Long COVID is a new term that’s being used to describe the condition of patients who experience long-term symptoms after contracting the virus.
What Is Long COVID and What Are the Symptoms?
While most people who contract COVID recover within a few weeks, some patients who recover from COVID-10 start to experience new symptoms (which can last months post-infection).
Some experts believe that these long-term effects may be due to the virus’s damage to the lungs, heart, or nervous system. Others believe that the long-term effects may be caused by an immune response gone awry. In either case, these patients often suffer from fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, chest pain, and shortness of breath, and many have difficulty returning to their previous activity levels.
Here’s a deeper breakdown of Long COVID symptoms:
- Fatigue: This symptom is a feeling of extreme tiredness and a lack of energy. It can be severe and last for weeks or even months.
- Brain Fog: Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or remembering things are the hallmark brain fog indicators. This symptom can make everyday activities very difficult to do.
- Chest Pain: Long COVID can lead to a variety of heart health complications, including chest pain, myocarditis, heart palpitations, and an irregular heart beat.
- Shortness of breath: This Long COVID symptom makes it more difficult (or near impossible) to walk long distances or exercise regularly. This symptom may be something completely new to the patient (they’ve never had issues walking or exercising previously) or a condition that has worsened post-infection.
What Is the Long Covid Assessment and What Does It Do?
Flow Therapy’s Long COVID Assessment is a new online test developed by EECP experts that can quickly identify whether or not patients may be candidates for EECP treatment.
This self-assessment is designed to look for and assess the existence and severity of long COVID symptoms in patients. Once completed, the self-assessor receives an email from Flow Therapy medical professionals detailing whether or not they qualify for a consultation on EECP treatment.
What Is Flow Therapy and How Does It Help with Long COVID?
Flow Therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment option. The treatment involves inflatable cuffs that are placed on the legs, which ultimately helps improve blood flow and circulation. This therapy is also sometimes called Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP).
Traditionally, Flow therapy has helped manage various conditions, including heart failure, angina (chest pain), and peripheral artery disease.
Research suggests that flow therapy is also helpful for people with long COVID, which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms for months after someone initially contracts the coronavirus.
Studies have found the following results when using EECP to manage long COVID symptoms:
- Chest pain symptoms improved in 97% of patients
- Fatigue improved in 88% of patients
- Walking distance improved by 163 feet in 83% of patients
- Breathing difficulty improved in 63% of patients
How To Get Started With Flow Therapy
It is essential to be proactive and understand all you can about long COVID. The more information you have, the better equipped you can be to handle anything that comes your way.
If you want to learn more about long COVID and how flow therapy can help, take the long COVID assessment today. This free online test gives you personalized results based on your specific symptoms. Once you know what to look for, it’s easier to find help managing your symptoms.
It’s time to regain control of your life.
