Physical complaints due to Long COVID (post-COVID)

Do you have a lot of complaints in the first months after your corona infection? Then it is wise to keep in touch with your GP. He or she can determine together with you whether additional research or care is necessary. Your GP can refer you to, for example, a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist for recovery care. Your GP can also help you with mental complaints by calling in a psychologist or practice assistant GGZ.

Is your condition worse and do you have less muscle strength? The physiotherapist can help you build this up again in the right way. The physiotherapist will first measure your condition and muscle strength and then create a training schedule. You will also receive advice and exercises so that you can get started at home. Are your complaints getting worse due to physical, emotional or cognitive exertion? View our video explaining PEMIf you experience this problem, please inform your physiotherapist and, if necessary, take our factsheet about PEM with it.

Physiotherapy is covered by the scheme paramedical recovery care. Contact your health insurer about reimbursement and arranging this care.

More information and tips can be found on the PostCovid NL and on recoverycovid.

It seems that symptoms of long COVID can be caused by a disturbed autonomic nervous system that affects your energy and balance. Read more about it in our flyer 'What's going on with the body'

Are your daily activities very difficult for you? For example, you are very tired. And you find it difficult to balance your energy. The occupational therapist can help you find the right balance again. The occupational therapist can also help you with concentration problems. And give you advice when you start working again. Are your complaints getting worse due to physical, emotional or cognitive exertion? View our video explaining PEMIf you experience this problem, please inform your occupational therapist and, if necessary, contact our factsheet about PEM with it.

Occupational therapy is covered by the scheme paramedical recovery care. Contact your health insurer about reimbursement and arranging this care.

Are you on the waiting list for the Occupational Therapist? Start with this self help tips from Ergotherapie Nederland to work with the document 'Daily life in balance, occupational therapy after corona'.

More information and advice can be found at PostCovid NL.

Many people with post-COVID suffer from PEM; Post-exertional malaise. PEM is the worsening of complaints after physical, cognitive and/or emotional exertion. In addition to the worsening of existing complaints, it can also lead to previously unoccurring physical and/or cognitive complaints. The severity and duration of the complaints that arise are not in proportion to the level of exertion, also known as exercise intolerance.

 

Pacing is a technique to prevent or learn to cope with PEM. It helps to control symptoms and prevent the worsening of complaints. People must learn to find their own limits in order to be able to live as actively as possible within these limits. Pacing is performing an activity at a calm pace and carefully alternating this with a rest period. This is to stabilize and reduce complaints. It is important to stay within individual limits and to perform activities in such a way that no complaints arise. It can be applied to daily and physical activities and activities that require concentration.

 

Have a look at factsheet on PEM and pacing for more information.

Do you have voice problems such as a hoarse voice? Or are you breathing high or do you have problems swallowing? A speech therapist can help you with that.

look at it  video about voice complaints with corona. And what you can do to improve your voice. This care falls under the scheme paramedical recovery care. Contact your health insurer about reimbursement and arranging this care.

A healthy, balanced diet can contribute to a faster recovery. What constitutes good nutrition varies from person to person. Some people have been very ill due to corona and have lost a lot of weight. Their muscles have weakened. Extra proteins in the diet are needed to regain strength. In addition, it is important that there is sufficient energy and vitamins in the diet.

There are also people who have gained a lot of weight after their corona infection. This is usually due to a less active lifestyle due to a lack of energy. The lockdown may also have played a role. In addition, eating habits may have changed. A healthy weight contributes to recovery and health. Losing weight too quickly is unwise. This can lead to muscle breakdown and nutritional deficiencies. A dietician can help to find a healthy balance again. For a dietician in your area, look at: nvdietist.nl

For tips on a healthy, balanced diet, visit the website of the Nutrition center and on PostCovid NL.

If you eat a healthy and varied diet, you will normally get enough vitamins and minerals. There is no evidence that extra vitamins or nutritional supplements help you recover from corona. Taking too many vitamins (for example vitamin A and B6) can even be harmful. Do you have any doubts or questions about the use of vitamins or minerals? Discuss this with your (family) doctor or dietician.

For tips on a healthy, balanced diet, visit the website of the Nutrition center and on PostCovid NL.

In addition to physical complaints, you can also have mental complaints. Think of sadness, anxiety, stress and gloom. Look at our page social and psychological problems For more information

About two-thirds of patients with corona suffer from smell or taste disorders to a greater or lesser extent (short or long-term). Scientists and doctors are still investigating what exactly is going wrong, but the coronavirus is not the first virus to cause damage to the olfactory organ. We also see loss of smell and taste as a result of a flu or cold virus.

Most people recover completely within a few days, weeks or months. There is a small group that suffers from the smell disorder for a longer period of time. It is not certain whether this group will recover completely or partially, because we have not been dealing with the coronavirus long enough to be certain about this. More research is needed to map out the long-term effects. There is no specific treatment. Some people find it pleasant to be with scent training to start. This can be done from home with a scent set and an app.

Want to know more about smell or taste problems after corona? Then look at the website of the patient association for people with a smell and/or taste disorder of op thuisarts.nl.

Complaints such as forgetfulness, irritability and concentration problems are common after corona. We call these cognitive complaints. It is not yet clear why these complaints arise.

An occupational therapist can help you map out these complaints together with you. And ensure that you can deal with them better. An environment with few stimuli can help, for example. It is also important that the energy balance is as good as possible. By distributing activities well over the day, fatigue is reduced and concentration often improves.

Want to learn more about cognitive issues like memory loss, concentration problems and overstimulation? Check out this webinar Cognitive complaints after corona.