A popular side effect, post Covid, is the fatigue. This is a popular topic that people are starting to feel more comfortable to talk about more and more. So, what is Covid Fatigue?
Firstly, let’s start off with saying, that EVERYBODY is different. For those who have had Covid, you may understand, that people have different symptoms and react in different ways. Our internal systems have undertaken the stress of the Covid, the after – effects can be longer lasting than anticipated. So frustrating! THIS IS NORMAL.
Covid fatigue, is the thing that sets in, when your body is officially tired. You may experience:
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
- Chest pains
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Dry cough
These are just a few of the post Covid symptoms that people may experience. These can last from 2 weeks up till 6 months even.
There are a few reasons for us feeling this way. Without diving into it too much, we know that Covid affects our lungs and blood perhaps blood circulation. Through this, our lungs take a little extra time to come back to normal. When our blood is not able to circulate efficiently, it affects our oxygen levels, which also affects our heart rate. All of these actions result in the above symptoms, which is why our bodies take a little extra time to recover.
Ok, so were fatigued! Now what? What do we do? When do we do it? And how?
Here are a few tips we have gathered from our medical professionals:
- Don’t stop taking your vitamins: Zinc, vitamin C, and Vitamin D.
- Sit in the sun for about 15 mins every day.
- Take short slow, walks. Build them up by a few steps every day.
- Do Not let allow your heart rate to rise too much.
- Rest when your body tells you to. Very NB.
- Practice breathing exercises. These may be given to you by a physiotherapist, or healthcare professional.
- Speak about it, there are many people going through similar processes. Were all in this together.
- Drink hot water, lemon, honey and ginger.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Stay hydrated.
- Be kind to yourselves.
Amongst these symptoms, comes along depression and anxiety. Mental health has been challenged and often ignored as an extreme symptom of Covid and post Covid. Not only is the frustration of not feeling like yourself, amid. But as a result of many criteria, anxiety and depression have become a more common topic. The lingering effects of this virus affect moods, heart palpitations, eating less, and eating more. Less exercise also has a lasting effect on our mental function. Between that, the shortness of breath, fatigue and more… we are left feeling dull and very demotivated. Once again, there is no right answer, other than to ask for help. And listen to when your body needs to rest. Speak. The more people that are speaking, the less alone we are feeling. The more we have support, the more we are able to push through.
There are no simple answers for us. All there is, is support and knowing that as humans we need to ask for help when we need it. For more information on the Corona Virus. Please visit, sacoronavirus.co.za.
If you are experiencing any of the Covid-19 symptoms, please visit our website or call us….
