As patients are recovering from Covid 19, the problems which they are suffering with in the aftermath of the infection,...
Post-Covid Scenario
As patients are recovering from Covid 19, the problems which they are
suffering with in the aftermath of the infection, are multifarious.
The commonest issues which are persisting even after 2 weeks of testing
negative are:-
1. Cough- persistent, with sore throat
2. Extreme fatigue
3. Post-covid lung disease.
4. Anxiety, depression, insomnia
5. Cognitive issues similar to moderate traumatic brain injury.
6. Digestive problems like bloating, imitable bowel, nausea and
vomiting, abdomen pain.
The problem of persistent cough after recovering from a covid attack is
very common. Acupuncture produces 90%
effective rate with no side effects.
Such patients complain of dry cough, throat irritation and scanty white
phlegm. In the acupuncture group,
patients were needled at Lu.10 , Lu.1, Lu.5, Lu.6, Lu.7, St.25, ST.36 and
ST.40. Total treatment sessions were 10
and each session is of 30 minute duration.
In the medication group, patients were given Methoxyphenamine capsules
thrice a day for 10 days and success rate was 70%.
Patients develop extreme fatigue following Covid illness due to
depletion of their Qi due to hypoactivity of the Hypothalamic- pituitary
axis. Acupuncture was given at selected
acupoints P.6, ST.36, SP.6, Liv.3, Ren.4, Du.20, Ub.23 for 5 days in a week for
2 weeks and 80% patients showed improvement in their fatigue levels.
Post covid lung disease can be effectively tackled using acupuncture
and moxibustion. The principle is to
promote, regulate and stimulate the body’s self regulating function. Most of these patients have symptoms similar
to COPD, due to damage to lung parenchyma caused by Pneumonitis Anxiety,
depression and Insomnia are very common in Post covid patients and these can be
effectively tackled by stimulating specific acupoints which release melatonin
and the happy hormone-> SEROTONIN.
Many patients who have recovered from Covid illness complain of a
lingering cognitive impact- problems with their memory and inability to stay
focussed. This is caused due to the
body’s response to infection which leads to blood becoming extremely
sticky. This is particularly seen in
patients who stayed in ICU care for covid | illness. Early studies on this problem have shown that
acupuncture given at points LI.4, Li.11 DU.20, ST.36, ST.40, GB.34 shishencong,
P.6, H.7, Du.16, Liv.3, improved cognitive ability. Treatment ws given over a period of 4 weeks,
5 days a week, for 30 minute each session.
Post covid digestive symptoms are mainly persistent nausea and
vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, abdominal pain and irritable bowel. Patients were given Acupuncture thrice a week
for 4 weeks. The major cause of these
symptoms is the impact on spleen, stomach, and liver organs. Acupuncture promotes gastric peristalsis in
subjects with low intensity gastric motility and suppresses peristalsis in
those with acute initial motility.
Almost 70-80% patients showed improvement in their symptoms with
acupuncture which is a safe, efficacious treatment without any side effects.
By: Dr. Raman Kapoor | Kapur Acupuncture Clinic
