Difficult courses, especially in people with such pre-existing conditions – naturopathy & naturopathic specialist portal

COVID-19: Systematic treatment of people with pre-existing conditions

It has long been known that infections with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are in many cases far more severe in previously ill patients than in previously healthy people. Certain previous illnesses are obviously particularly dangerous. Specialists point out that special protection is given to people from risk groups and that they are treated systematically.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is spreading ever further. Although the infections are mild in many cases, people from certain risk groups in particular can become seriously ill. It is important to protect these people and treat them systematically in the event of COVID-19 disease.

Targeted care of comorbidities required

As the Institute for Work and Technology (IAT / Westfälische Hochschule) writes in a current release, COVID-19 endangers people in very different degrees. The age of the patient alone is less critical than comorbidities, which, however, often increase with age.

Therefore, a targeted care of comorbidities is required to overcome the challenges associated with the pandemic. As a result, severe courses of COVID-19 and intensive care can be controlled and reduced considerably better.

This is indicated by health researchers from the Institute for Work and Technology (IAT / Westfälische Hochschule).

Increased risk of serious illnesses

The virus is still relatively new, and knowledge of characteristics and courses has not yet been sufficiently secured in all areas. Nevertheless, several evaluations of the course of the disease of affected patients are now available.

Serious illnesses are particularly evident in people with previous illnesses. People suffering from COVID-19 who have previously suffered from chronic respiratory diseases (COPD) are more than 6 times more likely to have severe illnesses. These patients are treated more than 10 times more often in an intensive care unit.

People with high blood pressure (approx. 2.5 times), diabetes (approx. 3 times) heart disease (approx. 3 times) or strokes (approx. 4 times) are also at significantly higher risk than others Patients.

In addition, several risk factors come together in many cases.

Protect risk groups with good care offers

It is therefore particularly important to ensure that patients with one or more of these diseases are optimally cared for in times of the corona pandemic. This includes not only the right attitude with medication, but also healthy eating and physical activities.

It is important to protect people from these risk groups by providing good care. However, the opposite can often be observed, since those affected do not go to their doctors sufficiently for fear of infection and the medical staff is sometimes very stressed.

This double threat of greatly increased risk and limited supply options must be overcome with adequate offers.

Reduce controllable risks

Digitization can help a lot. The use of video consultation hours has already been made significantly easier. Studies also show that the observation and treatment of important symptoms through telemedicine can lead to a significant improvement in care.

In people with COPD, for example, oxygen saturation in the blood and the development of respiratory volume can be monitored telemedically, medication, nutrition and physical activities can be coordinated with it and the patient can be trained. This is also possible for heart and stroke patients.

Since the virus will surely be present for a longer period of time, an essential part of coping must be to significantly reduce the risks that can be influenced for serious illnesses, intensive care and respiratory medical treatment or even death.

According to the IAT, there are telemedical offers available that must be used and expanded quickly. (ad)