Prayagraj: A multi-pronged approach which includes counselling and a balanced diet can play a crucial role in treatment of Covid-19 patients, especially those suffering from co-morbid conditions, say in Prayagraj health officials. Health department records show that at least 25% of the 20,784 patients who have recovered were diagnosed with comorbid conditions. Health officials said, “Apart from medication, other strategies like boosting patients’ self-confidence, convincing them to adopt a positive mindset, boosting immunity levels and counselling have helped them recover faster. These patients not only recovered faster, but their hospital stay was also cut short because of their improved health.”
Nodal officer and additional chief medical officer Dr Rishi Sahai said, “Comorbidity is the state of having multiple medical conditions at the same time, especially when they interact with each other in some way. Morbidity is the state of being sick or having a disease. There were at least 25% patients who apart from suffering from ailments like diabetes and hypertension also tested Covid-19 positive. They were able to recover faster due to their inner strength, positive mindset and counselling sessions.”
The latest example was of a 65-year-old woman in Prayagraj who recovered from Covid-19 despite suffering from Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) for the past 14 years. ILD is an umbrella term used for diseases that cause scarring (fibrosis) of lungs. The scarring causes stiffness in the lungs which makes it difficult to breathe and get oxygen to the bloodstream.