Individuals with mild and moderate Covid-19 symptoms, asymptomatic patients, or those who have fully recovered from Covid-19 should engage in pulmonary rehabilitation exercises. These exercises are also beneficial for lung training in individuals who have not contracted Covid-19.
Dr. Calvin Q. Trinh from the Ho Chi Minh City Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital (Hospital 1A) stated that research indicates approximately 80% of Covid-19 patients experience mild to moderate symptoms, 15% have severe symptoms, and 5% are in critical condition. The virus can cause extensive damage to the alveoli, leading to acute respiratory failure, which may require mechanical ventilation.
“Patients with mild and moderate cases can still experience some degree of alveolar lung damage, lung scarring, and may have respiratory function impacts later on,” Dr. Trinh explained.
This is also considered a special exercise for the lungs, even for those who do not have Covid-19.
Lung rehabilitation is essential for individuals after Covid-19 treatment. Those with clear lung damage must follow a medical treatment plan that combines respiratory specialty care and rehabilitation.
For those with mild, asymptomatic cases or individuals who have fully recovered from Covid-19, pulmonary rehabilitation exercises can be applied. This is also regarded as a special exercise for the lungs, even for those who do not have Covid-19, suitable for individuals in quarantine, those engaged in high-intensity work with prolonged fatigue, individuals with chronic respiratory issues, and those experiencing physical weakness.
These exercises help the body take in more oxygen, enhance ventilation, and strengthen respiratory muscles. For patients, they reduce symptoms of shortness of breath, anxiety, and depression, while improving physical, psychological functions and overall quality of life.
The exercise consists of 7 steps, including exhalation techniques, chest opening, breath control, enhancing respiratory muscle activity, eliminating residual lung volume, increasing stamina, expanding the lung capacity of each lobe, and rhythmic breathing exercises.
“This is similar to a workout, so you can practice several times a day, with each movement around 8-10 repetitions,” the doctor noted. For movements requiring weights, if there are no weights available in quarantine, two water bottles can be used instead.
Video on lung rehabilitation provided by Dr. Trinh.
Dr. Calvin Q. Trinh, a master’s degree holder in rehabilitation with a specialty from the United States, returned to Vietnam with a certificate confirming he received two doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine on March 10.
