From the Guidelines
If you are experiencing dyspnea after COVID-19, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, as persistent dyspnea can significantly impact your quality of life and physical activity 1. Your healthcare provider may recommend respiratory muscle testing and training to address potential respiratory muscle weakness, which has been identified as a contributing factor to dyspnea in COVID-19 patients 1.
Management of Dyspnea
- Medications such as bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol 2.5-5mg via inhalation, 3-4 times a day) or corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone 20-50mg orally, once a day for 5-7 days) may be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
- Oxygen therapy may be necessary to increase oxygen levels in the blood.
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or electrolyte-rich beverages, and getting plenty of rest is essential.
- In severe cases, hospitalization may be required to provide close monitoring and supportive care.
Rehabilitation and Follow-up
- Pulmonary rehabilitation programs, including respiratory muscle training, cough exercise, diaphragmatic training, stretching exercise, and home exercise, have shown significant improvement in lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in COVID-19 patients 1.
- It is essential to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance, as the severity and duration of dyspnea can vary from person to person.
- Cardiopulmonary stress testing (CPET) may be recommended to assess exercise capacity and identify potential limitations, such as pulmonary-vascular or pulmonary-mechanical limitations 1.
From the Research
Dyspnea Post COVID-19 Infection
- Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a common symptom reported by patients after COVID-19 infection 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Studies have shown that severe COVID-19 is associated with a high frequency of persisting lung abnormalities at follow-up, which can lead to dyspnea 2
- Patients with asthma may have an under-recognized burden of respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, after COVID-19 infection 3
- Treatment with naproxen has been shown to improve cough and shortness of breath in COVID-19 patients 4
- Persistent dyspnea after COVID-19 has been found to not be related to cardiopulmonary impairment, suggesting that interventions focusing on dyspnea management may be appropriate for patients who report dyspnea without cardiopulmonary impairment 5
Pulmonary Function Tests
- Pulmonary function tests (PFT) have been used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on lung function in convalescents six months after infection 6
- Patients with persistent cough six months after COVID-19 have been found to have decreased PFT parameters, including FEV1, FVC, FRC, TLC, and DLCO 6
- However, persistent shortness of breath is not necessarily associated with pulmonary function impairment in patients six months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and requires appropriate differential diagnosis 6