COVID-19

A novel respiratory virus in the coronavirus family that became a pandemic in 2019-2020. Its cardinal symptoms are high fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, the latter being present approximately 20% of the time. Effective breathing can become so impaired that a respirator is necessary. Mortality is in the 1-4% range, with elderly and debilitated persons being particularly at risk. The Chinese experience suggests that people at 80 years or more have a 15% mortality rate, while people under 40 years of age have mortality of 0.2%. Further breakdown approximates further liabilities regardless of age: Cardiovascular = 10%; Diabetes Melletis = 7%; Chronic Respiratory Conditions = 6%; Hypertension = 6%; Cancer = 5.5%, while those with no health-related condition have a 1% mortality. During the pandemic, regions of high incidence are advised to practice “Sheltering in Place,” which entails going out of one’s home and encountering others as seldom as possible, keeping a “social distance” of 6 feet or more, and closing of non-essential businesses and all entertainment and cultural activities Pharmacies, groceries, and health facilities remain open. Transportation is mnimized. Although no cure is known at this writing, Chloroquine and Hydrochloroquine (medicines used in Malaria, and for Lupus Erythematosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis), were in current clinical trials (https://www.covidtrial.io/), and other medications such as the antibiotic Azithromycin (Z-Pack) and Ramdesivir, (a medication used vs. Ebola), the best clinical trial coming out of China, and Lopinavir/Ritonavir, with a mildly positive report in the New England Journal of Medicine on March 18, 2020 (Circa199-patient controlled study found 1 day shorter recovery in severely affected individuals, with more gastrointestinal but less overall complications in the treatment group. B,Wang Y, M.D., Wen D, Liu W, Wang J, Fan G, Ruan L, Song B, Cai Y, Wei M, Li, X M.D., Xia J, M.D., et al. A Trial of Lopinavir–Ritonavir in Adults Hospitalized with Severe Covid-19. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001282). A study at the University of Nebraska is evaluating Ibuprofen. Nutritional remedies include Zinc, 12 mg/day, an element plentiful in oysters, and also present in elderberry, beef, breads and legumes, and Selenium, 100 -2– mcg/day, which is found in Brazil nuts, seafoods and also in breads. Since weakness in respiratory muscles and lowered immunity are prominent in COVID-19, yoga has significant benefit in raising the strength of respiratory muscles, oxygenating little-used lung fields, and lowering anxiety, a major source of lower immunity. Contraindicated is an arduous workout, since strenuous activity is known to impair immunity in the short run. When no contagion is threatening, reasonably challenging yoga series are highly recommended. Breathing exercises to strengthen and coordinate respiratory musculature, and raise tidal volume, and for calm, are highly recommended. Visama Vritti Pranayama and Viloma Pranayama are particularly useful in raising your general pulmonary health, as a preventative measure. For Viloma see the video in Insomnia. .