Patient Care Strategies

 

POST COVID SYNDROME: Patient Care Strategies, self-monitoring strategies, mobile devices and wearables you can use Blog Update 2/20/22

 

(hfgmed, n.d.)

So this week I want to share on the blog how to provide self-care strategies. This is not to replace any healthcare advice. This also does not mean these strategies replaces working closely with physicians. This blog merely will give you some ideas that you may ask your doctor about that can coincide and help your recovery.

Healthcare Technologies

The biggest things to remember with much of post-covid syndrome is to monitor your recovery. You have to see what works and what does not. Sometimes a tailored plan could be beneficial. Online there are ways to get more help. A service called MYMEE came out that post-covid patients can use (Mymee, 2022). It is a remote healthcare program that people can subscribe to and get a tailored plan to their needs (Mymee, 2022). They track your symptoms and work with individuals to meet their healthcare needs.

They have a blog on their webpage. This service has been used to help people with autoimmune diseases. The downside is there is a subscription for its service. It is quite costly at $99 a session but there are testimonies that concur its benefit. MYMEE was included in New York City digital health 100 (Mymee, 2022).

Mentation “Brain Fog”, Brain Training

If you are experiencing fatigue, cognition, or memory issues post-covid, try to integrate a routine in chunks. Build yourself up to activity. Do not try to resume where you once were all at once. The recovery will take take. 

(Nicabm, n.d.)

Many apps on smart phones are available to aid in memory and cognition post-covid. According to an article by AbilityNet called How technology can support with symptoms of Long Covid one application called Clockwork Tomato can help people split work into 25 minute chunks (AbilityNet, 2022). This gives breaks and prompts to take breaks so an individual can slowly reintegrate into their routine. Other applications that are similar are Work Break that does similar suggestions (AbilityNet, 2022).

            The article also mentioned that Lumonsity was commonly used for stroke victims now. It has also been shown to help people struggling with brain fog. There are 10 minute “fit” tests to see baseline and cognitive functioning (AbilityNet, 2022)

            Those struggling with “brain fog” can keep a journal and write down times you feel cognition was blurry. Set a timer or look at a clock and give breaks to ensure you do not overdue yourself in your recovery. Discuss with your doctor about how much Covid has impaired your cognition. Journal entries can help the provider key in on the frequency and times these events occur.

Respiratory

            For Covid-19 long haulers, shortness of breath is commonly a symptom hard to shake. Some people have to be on oxygen to keep their saturations at levels they need. Remember to follow guidelines set by healthcare providers. Shortness of breath is something that will take time to recover as lungs have been damaged and scarred and need time to recover. A routine rehabilitation program is best for recovery. Many exercises developed by physical therapists help promote breathing and expansion of lung capacity. If you are quarantined at home you can monitor your oxygen saturations. A pulse oximeter is best to use. They are many of them and they are affordable. The Apple Watch and smart watch devices have now had pulse oximetry added to their devices for monitoring. On top of that they even have a way to monitor heart rate and even get an electrocardiogram (EKG). An article by Forbes have mentioned that the Apple Watch was even been able to detect Covid multiple days before symptoms had started.

(Apple, 2020).  

 

                                                                (istockphoto, n.d.).

 

Smell and Taste

            For those who have distortions in their senses, different trainings can help. Changes in smell range from complete loss to smelling foul odors when a pleasant odor is present. And sometimes senses are just dulled. According to WebMD training can consist of smelling at least four different odors twice a day for many months. Record on a piece of paper as you regain senses or changes in smell. 

 

References

AbilityNet. (2022, January). How technology can support with symptoms of Long Covid. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets/how-technology-can-support-symptoms-long-covid

Apple. (2020, September 15). Apple Watch SE [Photograph]. Apple. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/09/apple-watch-se-the-ultimate-combination-of-design-function-and-value/

hfgmed. (n.d.). [COVID-19 Virus]. HFGmed. http://www.hfgmed.com/covid-19/

istockphoto. (n.d.). [Pulse oximeter]. Istockphoto. https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/pulse-oximeter

Mymee. (2022, February 4). Mymee Named to NYC Digital Health 100 by NYCHBL. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://www.mymee.com/blog/mymee-named-to-nyc-digital-health-100-by-nychbl

Nicabm. (n.d.). [Brain Working Out]. Nicabm. https://www.nicabm.com/rewiring-the-brain-for-health-with-computers/