This Is How The Coronavirus Affects The Lungs

The way the coronavirus affects the lungs is just beginning to be known. It must be understood that we do not have complete data on the pandemic and that there are still many questions, which are just beginning to be elucidated. For this reason, the available information should be considered provisional.

However, there are indications that the coronavirus affects the lungs beyond what was initially believed. There is already a group of patients who have been discharged after suffering the disease. In the initial investigations, a decrease in lung capacity was found in some of them.

Damages appear to be seen in most cases, but these only have significant effects in a small percentage of patients. At the moment it is unknown if the way the coronavirus affects the lungs can have long-term consequences.

The coronavirus affects the lungs

That the coronavirus affects the lungs is a fact that is already sufficiently recognized. What is not known is to what extent, and also if there will be sequelae of this condition. For now, a group belonging to the Hong Kong Hospital Authority said it found significant damage in a small group of people recovered from the disease.

The information initially appeared in the South China Morning Post and notes that 12 patients with COVID-19 were thoroughly evaluated. Initial tests suggest that two or three of them showed a 20-30% decrease in their lung capacity.

Likewise, the doctors found that 85% of the group had frosted glass patterns in their lungs. This is a phenomenon whereby fluid builds up in the lungs and then crystallizes. It means that there is lung damage that, at least so far, has not disappeared after discharge after COVID-19 infection.

In summary, of the 12 people tested only three had normal lungs. The other nine had abnormalities, and in three of them these abnormalities had significant consequences on lung function.

Decreased lung capacity

Lung function is a measure of the ability of the lungs to breathe normally and carry out their task of carrying oxygen to the blood and body tissues, while expelling carbon dioxide from the body. When a person has this diminished function, they cannot breathe properly.

According to a Lancet Respiratory Medicine study , when a young person has reduced lung function, the risk of developing some chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and cardiovascular problems increases. It also increases the danger of premature death.

Typically, lung capacity decreases with age, which is why older people are at higher risk of lung infections, shortness of breath, low oxygen levels, and problems such as sleep apnea. This lung capacity is measured through different complementary methods, such as spirometry.

Data to take into account

It should be noted that the evaluation carried out in Hong Kong was carried out in a small number of patients. If a broader population of recovered is studied, new data will surely appear to complement the information. So you have to wait for more people to heal and follow up to get solid data.

Likewise, it is not yet known to what extent the coronavirus affects the lungs. That can only be known over time, since new discoveries cannot be ruled out in the months and years to come. Therefore, the ideal is to avoid the disease, considering that it is still unknown if it can produce more severe consequences in the medium and long term.

It’s a problem with a solution

The decrease in lung capacity in some people is the main effect that has been found so far. The good news is that this is a reversible condition, through a pulmonary rehabilitation process. This has to do with a series of exercises and daily tasks to increase the ability to breathe.

Pulmonary rehabilitation includes training in certain breathing techniques, performing daily exercises, implementing tactics to avoid fatigue, proper diet, and protecting the lungs. Swimming is one of the sports that helps improve lung health in these cases. So we can say that there is hope for the sequels that may remain.