BENGALURU / August 27, 2021: One should wait for at least 10-15 days before resuming any exercise or sports or return – to – activity after recovering from Covid to avoid serious consequences for one’s health and wellbeing, Dr. Renu Dadiala, one of Bengaluru’s foremost doctors specializing in sports injuries, has said in the run-up to the National Sports Day.

Dr. Renu Dadiala, Consultant, Sports & Musculoskeletal Physician and Interventional Pain Specialist with the Interventional Pain and Spine Centre (IPSC) in Bengaluru, said: “Covid can cause damage to several body organs. It affects every individual differently. We still don’t have enough studies telling us how much it affects.  People suffering from symptoms like loss of stamina, breathlessness, muscle pain, exhaustion, etc. need to be closely monitored in post-recovery months. When tested positive for Covid, one should not indulge in any exercise or sports during the quarantine period. Only gentle and slow stretches and breathing exercises should be done. After recovery, people should wait for at least 15 days before going back to their pre-Covid training”

She added: “People take up sports or exercise after Covid to get rid of a feeling of physical weakness. However, if they had suffered from moderate or severe Covid symptoms, they will collapse if they go into full training after recovery. They must see a doctor for basic ECG and blood tests. The Covid virus causes an inflammatory response in the heart muscles, causing myocarditis.  The heart muscle becomes swollen. Even if the virus is out of the body, it leaves certain areas of the lung affected, impacting the efficient exchange of oxygen.  Any exercise or sports in such cases can be very dangerous, even fatal. If one experiences extreme breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, or a racing heart beyond that warranted by the physical activity, one should totally avoid any kind of sports or exercise till the problem is treated. However, if after 15 days of recovery people feel normal, they should go back to physical activity very slowly and build stamina over a period of  10-15 days. They should listen to their body.”

Dr. Renu Dadiala said that in the last 15 years, Bengaluru has become a hub of recreational sports, with cycling, running, soccer, and tennis clubs mushrooming everywhere, along with sports and coaching academies and fitness centers. Everyone from IT executives to school students to housewives is taking up recreational sports of some kind. Many schools have included sports as a part of the curriculum. This has led to a rapid increase in the number of recreational athletes and, in turn, sports-related injuries.

 Dr. Renu Dadiala said: “Each sport has injuries unique to it. For example, while runners suffer from low-body injuries related to knees, ankles, and lower back, swimmers suffer from upper-body injuries related to shoulder, etc. Most people want to take up sports because they want to get fit.  However, they have to first condition their body to a certain level so that they don’t injure themselves. Not every sport is suited to each body type or fitness level. Recreational athletes should get themselves screened by a doctor to check if a particular sport is suitable for them. Health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, lower back pain, early onset of arthritis, etc. can actually worsen with sports or exercise. So, advice from a doctor is essential before embarking on any sports.”

 Interventional Pain & Spine Centre (IPSC) India, with branches in Delhi, Jammu, and Bengaluru, is a chain of state-of-the-art centers of excellence offering the highest standard of quality care related to spinal pain and chronic pain related to any cause or disease. Established in 2012, its centers have treated more than 40,000 patients with chronic pain and trained more than 1,500 medical specialists from across the globe in pain management.

For more information, please visit https://ipscindia.com

The post Taking up Exercise or Sports Immediately after Covid Recovery can be Dangerous for Health appeared first on PuneDiary.Com.

Once a person contracts avoid infection, he/she may exhibit common symptoms like fever, cough, body ache, etc. But the health issues may not end with testing negative for Covid. Many people even after recovering from Covid, experience issues like post-Covid fatigue.  Though a large number of people are able to sail through it without too many complications after testing positive, the post covid complications may impact the normal life. With Covid infection still around us, it is important to know how to deal with post-Covid fatigue.

In many Covid cases, after testing negative, patients continue to feel weak, get tired very soon after simple routine tasks, feel sleepy even after getting ample sleep, find it difficult in focusing/concentrating, etc. Some also experience pains and aches, shivering of limbs, and many other associated physical issues. It will sometimes take a long while to recover depending on whether your infection has been a mild or severe one.

It is important to allow time for your body to recuperate. Immediately after you test negative, do not push yourself to get back to the things that you used to do. This could be your exercise routine, physically demanding jobs, mentally exerting activities, etc. Covid-19 infection can have continuing effects for a couple of months, sometimes up to six to eight months after you have tested negative. The key is to allow the body to heal, facilitate it with what is required for the same, and slowly get back to the normal lifestyle. This road to recovery may be extensive and exhausting, but if you take good care, you can manage it. Here are some points to remember and follow to ensure proper recovery:

Continue to follow the safety protocols- Post covid recovery, the patient is vulnerable to infections as his immunity levels will still be below. Stay away from any gathering. Do not go out unless it is an emergency and in such a case make sure you have a mask, maintain social distance and sanitize yourself whenever needed.

Go easy on exercise – Gradually build your strength. Start with slow walks for a short duration. listen to your body and take rest when you feel it is required, it is not important to go by the pre-set time. Breathing exercises and meditation can be good to start with. Avoid heavy workouts as your body is weak and still recovering.

Ensure natural vitamin D–The coronavirus infection will decrease Vitamin D levels in the body. The best is to get it naturally, to ensure the same try and get at least 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight preferably in the morning.

Nutritious diet– A nourishing diet is essential while one is recouping. Make sure to have a balanced and easily digestible meal. Avoid excess sugar, oil, and processed food. Be cautious with your diet if you already have any of the lifestyle diseases. Take that into consideration and plan your diet accordingly.

Stay hydrated– Dehydration is also a reason for tiredness. Increasing your liquid intake will help fight fatigue. One should properly hydrate themselves and see that electrolytes are maintained to get better with the weakness and fatigue.

Maintain a sleep cycle– Sleep early to wake up early. Waking up early gives a positive and energetic vibe and a great start to your day. It can make you feel productive; it also contributes to mental health. Develop a good sleep pattern and ensure it daily. Stay away from using gadgets after a certain time in the night.

Stay happy and have fun- getting a negative test result itself is a big enough reason to be happy about. Indulge in fun activities that can relax your mind and body. Read your favorite book, listen to music or watch your favorite series to keep yourself cheerful. One can also do art or craft activities that will keep them active. Remember to take breaks in between and get enough rest. Do not exert, be realistic and kind to yourself. Speak to a counselor or a mental health expert if you feel depressed, anxious, or have other concerns in mind.

The post Post-Covid fatigue – Simple ways to deal with it appeared first on PuneDiary.Com.