While most people get better after having COVID-19 without any lasting effects, the acute illness is only the beginning for some. If you’re experiencing breathing difficulties or other symptoms after having COVID-19, you should contact experienced pulmonologist Barry J Weinberg, MD. At his New York City practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Dr. Weinberg has state-of-the-art lung function testing facilities and provides the latest treatments for patients who’ve had COVID-19. To schedule a consultation, call the office of Barry J Weinberg, MD, today or book an appointment online.
COVID-19 has become a widespread infection in recent years. Caused by a strain of coronavirus, COVID-19 causes mild to moderate symptoms in most people that include:
For a significant minority, COVID-19 causes more severe problems. These are often, but not exclusively, people with risk factors such as advanced age, obesity, diabetes, and lung disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You could require specialized hospital treatment for breathing complications.
Those who recover from COVID-19 may continue to have health problems. These include persistent cough, difficulty breathing, fibrotic lung disease, and COVID lung. As an experienced specialist in lung diseases, Dr. Weinberg is an expert in COVID-19 and post-COVID respiratory symptoms.
The main complications of COVID-19 are pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pneumonia causes your lungs to fill with fluid and develop inflammation, which leads to breathing difficulties. COVID-19 pneumonia typically affects both lungs, reducing your ability to get enough oxygen into your blood.
COVID-19 pneumonia sometimes becomes severe enough to develop into ARDS — a kind of lung failure. ARDS occurs when so many of the air sacs in your lungs contain fluid that you’re unable to breathe without assistance. You might need to go on a machine called a ventilator to help you breathe.
ARDS is sometimes fatal. People who survive can suffer long-lasting lung damage and scarring. However, many people with far less severe COVID-19 suffer from long-term issues. These problems are mainly shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and discomfort.
Treating the problems that arise after COVID infection is still a new area. Dr. Weinberg uses state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to determine the cause of your persistent respiratory complaints and provide the appropriate therapy.
In some cases, the problem is scarring in the lungs. It can take from three months to a year for healing. Dr. Weinberg provides treatments that help you breathe more easily.
It’s also important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, eat a nutritious diet, and drink plenty of water. This ensures the mucous membranes in your airways are healthy, reduces the risk of developing other infections, and encourages tissue repair.
If you’re having problems after COVID-19, call Barry J Weinberg, MD, today or book an appointment online.