How Can You Help These Chronically Fatigued Long Covid Patients
The multidisciplinary approach of the UCHealth Post-COVID Clinic is key to addressing chronic fatigue, as well as the array of other long COVID health issues, Altman said. For chronically fatigued patients, she works with specialists from physical therapy, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation and others, depending on each patients specific symptoms and complaints.
The problem isnt cardiac-specific, she said. Its kind of a whole-body problem.
A consensus guidance statement co-authored by Dr. William Niehaus, assistant professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at CU underscores her point. Niehaus and his colleagues maintain that treating fatigue in long COVID requires addressing problems like inadequate sleep and nutrition infectious and autoimmune diseases and heart, lung and nerve disorders. They also recommend developing strategies to help patients return to activity gradually conserve their energy eat healthy foods stay hydrated and follow, if necessary, a regimen of medications and herbal and vitamin supplements.
Physiology Of Shortness Of Breath
Normally, theres a balance between the demand to breathe and ability to breathe. When theres a balance, you have no awareness of breathing. Your body handles it for you. You feel shortness of breath when theres an imbalance between the brains demand to breathe and the bodys ability to breathe.
In a healthy person, shortness of breath can be caused by:
- Very strenuous exercise
Major Respiratory Diseases That Cause Shortness of Breath
Major Non-Respiratory Diseases That Cause Shortness of Breath
What Is Kidney Failure
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to adequately remove waste from your blood and control the level of fluid in your body. Kidney failure can happen suddenly or gradually. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
If you have kidney disease, it does not mean that you will develop kidney failure. One in ten Australians aged 18 and over has at least one sign of chronic kidney disease, and over 23,000 Australians receive dialysis or a kidney transplant for kidney failure.
You can lose up to 90 per cent of your kidney function before experiencing symptoms. In many cases, the signs of disease arent noticed until the kidneys are close to failure.
Recommended Reading: Can Fatigue Cause Shortness Of Breath
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Treatment For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chest Pain Pressure And Discomfort
Most people with heart attacks experience some sort of chest pain or discomfort. But its important to understand that chest pains dont occur in every heart attack.
Chest pain is a common sign of a heart attack. People have described this sensation as feeling like an elephant is standing on their chest.
Some people dont describe chest pain as pain at all. Instead, they may say they felt chest tightness or squeezing. Sometimes this discomfort can seem bad for a few minutes and then go away. Sometimes the discomfort comes back hours or even a day later. These could all be signs your heart muscle isnt getting enough oxygen.
If you experience chest pains or tightness, you or someone around you should call 911 immediately.
Pain and tightness can also radiate in other areas of the body. Most people associate a heart attack with pain working its way down the left arm. That can happen, but pain can also appear in other locations, including:
American Heart Association , some women may even think their heart attack symptoms are flu-like symptoms.
A heart attack can cause exhaustion due to the extra stress on your heart to try to pump while an area of blood flow is blocked. If you often feel tired or exhausted for no reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Fatigue and shortness of breath are more common in women than men and may begin months before a heart attack. Thats why its important to see a doctor as early as possible when you experience early signs of fatigue.
How Is Shortness Of Breath Diagnosed
Your doctor or other health care provider will ask you about your symptoms. Try to give him or her as much information about your symptoms as you can.
Your provider will listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope. He or she may order additional tests, which could include:
- Chest imaging scans
Visit your health care provider when a normal activity causes unexpected shortness of breath. Get your breathing difficulty checked if it:
- Comes on suddenly
- Interferes with your daily activities
Its important that you contact your health care provider if your shortness of breath doesnt get better with treatment or is combined with other symptoms, such as chest pain. In such a case, you may need to seek emergency care.
Also Check: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Self Test
Patterns Of Heart Palpitations Like Heart Flutters Or Skipped Heartbeats
A flickering in your chest. A missed beat. A sudden racing feeling. These are all examples of heart palpitations. When you have heart palpitations, youre more aware of your heartbeat than usual.
What does a heart flutter or palpitation feel like? These sensations usually arent painful, but they sure do feel strange. You may feel like your heartbeat is fluttering or like your heart skipped a beat. You may also experience a pounding sensation from a racing heartbeat or a slow heartbeat. Or your heartbeat might feel heavy in your chest.
An occasional heart palpitation, heart flutter or skipped beat is normal even healthy hearts do this every now and then. But if your heart palpitations seem to come and go with some regularity, its a good idea to write down your symptoms and when theyre most likely to occur, and talk with your doctor.
For example, do you experience heart palpitations when lying down or sitting up? Does changing position help? Or do you feel a fluttering in your chest when youre exercising or can it happen when youre at rest too?
So, what causes heart palpitations? There can be several different explanations. That said, recurring heart palpitations can be related to heart arrhythmias such as tachycardia, bradycardia or atrial fibrillation all of which can be easily treated and effectively managed.
How To Treat Shortness Of Breath
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can range from mild to severe.
In mild cases, your shortness of breath may go away simply by changing your position or doing breathing exercises.
In moderate cases, your shortness of breath may go away after taking medications that open the airway or reduce inflammation .
No matter the case, never take shortness of breath lightly, and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are struggling to breathe.
Medical management is specific to the cause of your shortness of breath. For example, if a medication you are taking is the cause of your shortness of breath your healthcare provider may suggest that you cut back or discontinue the use of the offending agent. They will likely take a thorough history checking for any potential drug interactions, allergic reactions, or even misunderstandings on how to take your medications.
If the cause of your shortness of breath is pleural effusion , draining the effusion may result in the resolution of your symptoms. Resolving the underlying issue is always the most effective way to treat shortness of breath.
Also Check: How To Overcome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
An Inability To Do What You Were Able To Do Before
Defining this symptom can be somewhat difficult because its less a universal heart attack sign and more dependent on your individual experiences and baseline energy levels.
Its a significant change in your functional status, is how I would put it, says Dr. Cho. You were able to be on the treadmill 20 minutes, but now you can barely do 10 because you just feel so tired.
Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion
Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances or allergies can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.
Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test or invest in a home test such as ALCAT which may help you identify the offending foods.
Read Also: Nausea Fatigue Lower Back Pain
What To Do If You Suspect Pectus Excavatum
In addition to the physical symptoms of pectus excavatum, there are also some emotional and mental effects to consider.
The deep divot can cause severe body-image issues, which can lead to depression and isolation. Even if your physical symptoms are mild, surgery may still be warranted to avoid the negative social ramifications and self-esteem issues.
All chest wall surgeries are most effective on younger patients , but these procedures are very effective for adults as well the results are successful and permanent 99% of the time.
Recovery can take up to six weeks, and pain can be managed by oral medication or temporary nerve blocks.
To find out more about pectus excavatum and whether your symptoms point to this condition, contact us by phone or online to schedule a consultation with our team.
We have multiple offices in New York in Pomona, Goshen, Fishkill, and the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, as well as Englewood, New Jersey.
You Might Also Enjoy…
About Shortness Of Breath
Sudden shortness of breath, or breathing difficulty , is the most common reason for visiting a hospital accident and emergency department.
Its also one of the most common reasons people phone 999 for an ambulance.
Its normal to get out of breath when youve overexerted yourself, but when breathlessness comes on suddenly and unexpectedly, its usually a warning sign of a medical condition.
The information below outlines the most common reasons for:
- sudden shortness of breath
- long-term shortness of breath
This guide shouldnt be used to self-diagnose your condition, but should give you an idea of whats causing your breathlessness.
Also Check: Best Nootropics For Adrenal Fatigue
How Can I Ease Or Relieve Shortness Of Breath
You may prevent or relieve shortness of breath on your own. Helpful steps may include:
- Avoiding inhaling chemicals that can irritate your lungs, like paint fumes and car exhaust.
- Practicing breathing and/or relaxation techniques to improve your breathing function.
- Stopping smoking, if you smoke. Dont start smoking if you dont now smoke.
- Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Avoiding activity in times when temperatures are very hot or very cold, or when the humidity is high. If you have lung disease, observe air pollution alerts issued on radio and TV.
- Making sure your equipment is in good working order when you use oxygen.
How Can My Doctor Manage Shortness Of Breath
Your doctor will help you manage dyspnea by first identifying and then treating the condition causing your breathing trouble. Depending on the underlying condition, your treatment may include:
- Exercise: Improving your physical fitness can strengthen your heart and lungs. Better overall health can help you feel less winded during activity. Even with a heart or lung condition, cardiovascular rehabilitation might help. The provider might also suggest that you learn breathing techniques.
- Medication: Inhaled drugs called bronchodilators can relax your airways in asthma and in COPD. Medication to relieve pain or anxiety can ease breathlessness.
- Oxygen therapy: Receiving extra oxygen through a mask or tube in the nostrils can help you breathe more comfortably. This is only appropriate when the blood oxygen level is measured by a healthcare professional and shown to be low.
You May Like: Why Do Radiation Treatments Cause Fatigue
Do Colds Flu And Covid
Colds and flu tend to cause wet, productive coughs when youre sick. Later, dry coughs may linger during recovery.
It can take a while for inflammation from respiratory infections to go away. During this time, the lungs and airways may be extra sensitive to inhaled irritants. This sensitivity can make your throat more ticklish, causing you to cough.
Most people who get sick with COVID-19 have dry coughs not wet coughs like with the cold or flu. However, wet coughs can also happen with COVID-19 infections. Your healthcare provider may recommend a COVID-19 test to identify the cause of the cough.
Shortness Of Breath Jaw Pain Fatigue: 3 Common Symptoms That Women Shouldnt Ignore
Between working, childcare, and yes, even scheduling doctors appointments for spouses and parents, that fatigue or pesky jaw pain is simply brushed off by many women.
And while many symptoms may be nothing more than a passing discomfort, there are other times when it may be a sign that there is something more serious going on.
Its important for women to understand that theres no duration of a symptom that automatically makes it a red flag other than crushing chest pain, some things can wait, said NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar. There are also very benign explanations for a lot of things as well as more serious explanations.
Whats important is to first, be aware of what you’re feeling and take note of what’s normal for your body, and second, seek answers from your healthcare provider when something does feel off.
Here are three symptoms that women shouldnt ignore:
Read Also: Heart Issues That Cause Fatigue
I Also See Something Called Pots Associated With Long Covid What Is That
POTS is short for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a mouthful for a condition that causes a variety of symptoms changes in blood pressure and heart rate, lightheadedness, brain fog and fainting, among others when a person stands up after lying down. The symptoms of POTS are similar to those of orthostatic intolerance, the difference being that the key symptom of POTS is a rapidly increased heart rate when a person stands up. Orthostatic intolerance generally causes blood pressure to drop during the transition to standing.
Altman said some long COVID patients do not have POTS per se, but do suffer from some of its symptoms, particularly an elevated heart rate when they stand up. More broadly, she said COVID-19 seems sometimes to disrupt the autonomic nervous system the one that governs bodily functions like heart rate and blood pressure.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Can Help Reveal Unusual Reasons For These Common Symptoms And Also Shed Light On Long Covid
One of the vexing things about certain common health complaints is the range of possible underlying causes. For example, feeling short of breath is perfectly normal after a burst of vigorous exercise. But for some people, even mild exertion can trigger a sensation of breathlessness, or what doctors call dyspnea. Its often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue and lightheadedness.
Most of the time, heart or lung issues are to blame. In many cases, routine tests including a chest x-ray, echocardiogram , lung function tests, and blood tests can uncover the underlying reason for a persons breathlessness.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
- Research health conditions
Dont Miss: Does Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Fatigue
You May Like: Fatigue That Comes And Goes
Should I Be Worried If I Have Chest Pain And Fatigue
Like a cars dashboard, your body alerts you to trouble within. When your cars symptoms are nonspecific, like if it idles fast or feels sluggish, you take it to a mechanic to find out whats wrong.
Likewise, chest pain and fatigue are signals that somethings wrong, but its not an automatic cause for worry. These two symptoms together can mean you have:
- Pectus excavatum
Trying to figure out on your own exactly whats causing your discomfort is risky. If you have a serious condition and you ignore it or misdiagnose it yourself, you could be headed for a heart attack.
Causes Of Fatigue Shortness Of Breath And Dizziness
The combination of fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness usually points to a problem involving the cardiovascular system, meaning the heart and circulatory system. In collaboration with the lungs, this system supplies the body tissues with oxygen as well as nutrients. It also enables removal of metabolic waste products. A significant problem in one or more components of the cardiovascular system can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness usually due to reduced oxygen delivery to the brain and other body organs and tissues.
Video of the Day
Also Check: Sunosi For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
What Causes Shortness Of Breath
Many different medical disorders can cause shortness of breath. The most common causes are lung and heart conditions. Healthy breathing depends on these organs to transport oxygen to your body.
Feeling breathless may be acute, lasting just a few days or less. Other times, it is chronic, lasting longer than three to six months.
Is More Research On Long Covid And Cardiac
Yes. An important one in which Altman is involved is a large National Institutes of Health study of long COVID called RECOVER. Among other efforts, RECOVER aims to recruit 17,000 patients across the United States to study not only long COVID patients but also those who recovered without long COVID and healthy controls. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is part of a consortium with the University of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, University of New Mexico and Denver Health and Hospitals involved in the initiative.
You May Like: Copper Anti Fatigue Foot Sleeves
When Should You Call 911 For A Heart Problem
At certain times, calling 911 right away is a must. If youre having chest pressure or chest tightness that started that day, you should not wait to go to your general practitioner, says Dr. Cho. Go to the emergency room.
You should also call 911 and get help right away if you have chest pain or discomfort along with any of the following symptoms, especially if they last longer than five minutes:
- Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Sweating or cold sweat.
- Light-headedness, dizziness, extreme weakness or anxiety.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
