Milmedika

According to published medical literature, as well as the experience of doctors worldwide and at the Milmedika Polyclinic, many people who have recovered from the acute phase of COVID-19 (after 1-2 weeks of isolation) continue to experience various physical symptoms during the extended recovery period. These symptoms are often associated with feelings of fear, uncertainty, and concerns about the future, both for themselves and their families.

These broadly defined symptoms have led to the identification of a specific condition – Post-COVID Syndrome.

Common symptoms described by patients:

• Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, chest or back pain
• Reduced exercise tolerance – fatigue, chest/lung tightness
• Decreased energy
• Nausea, headaches, sweating
• Insomnia, restlessness, anxiety
• Prolonged cough with periods of worsening
• A temperature between 37.2°C and 37.5°C
• Mental confusion, instability
• Blood pressure fluctuations (increased/decreased)
• Elevated D-Dimer levels

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 (Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019), affects almost all organs in the body, triggering reactions in various tissues, including the muscles, skin, lungs, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. This explains the wide range of symptoms.

Recovery after COVID-19

In the days and, more accurately, weeks following recovery from the disease, a gradual and continuous recovery process is expected, typically lasting 6-8 weeks. However, in 10-20% of patients, this period is prolonged or marked by setbacks and delays in recovery, which is referred to as Post-COVID Syndrome. For this reason, regular monitoring, cooperation with a doctor, optimism, and control of laboratory results and medical exams are crucial, as they may indicate the cause of such symptoms or alleviate concerns.

Which laboratory parameters should be monitored?

We monitor parameters such as CBC (Complete Blood Count), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), and D-Dimer. It is recommended to check these values at intervals of 7, 14, and 30 days to monitor improvement.

While medicine still does not have a complete understanding of all the mechanisms involved in the virus-cell interaction, decisions are made based on existing knowledge and experience with previous diseases and treatments.

How to regulate D-Dimer?

The treatment of elevated D-Dimer is based on risk assessment, the patient's medical history, and the current clinical presentation. The monitoring of D-Dimer levels and the duration of treatment are strictly controlled by a doctor. The treatment approach is based on principles and experiences from cardiovascular medicine and pulmonology in managing thromboembolic events.

In the context of COVID-19 and Post-COVID conditions, echocardiography plays a crucial role. Besides standard parameters, it can detect the presence of fluid in the pericardial sac, disturbances in heart muscle function, and heart muscle inflammation.

The dedicated team of doctors at Milmedika Polyclinic, including pulmonologists, internists-cardiologists, radiologists, and biochemists, uses the latest diagnostic and laboratory equipment to meet your needs, while adhering to the principles of good clinical practice. We recommend a Post-COVID examination model, which includes laboratory tests, a pulmonary exam with spirometry, and a cardiology consultation with an EKG and echocardiogram.