Pre-Existing Health Conditions that Can Make Your Coronavirus Infection Worse

Medical research tells us that individuals with underlying health conditions and pre-existing immunodeficiencies are more susceptible to the Novel Coronavirus infection. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention i.e., CDC had announced with the outbreak of the pandemic that people with severe chronic medical ailments such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease and mental health complaints such as anxiety and depression are at a higher risk of developing health complications from the COVID-19. If you suffer from the following diseases, you should exercise severe precaution when following the preventive health guidelines laid out to ward off coronavirus infection.

Chronic Respiratory Disease

If you happen to be struggling with a Chronic Respiratory Disease or CRD, you should be all the more vigilant about contracting the novel coronavirus. CRDs are diseases which affect your lungs and its airways, such as asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and so on. One of the potential health complications that the novel coronavirus can issue is pneumonia. Pneumonia comprises your lung function and in patients with pre-existing CRDs, developing pneumonia could prove lethal. Follow CDC guidelines of handwashing and social distancing. In addition, also stock up on your medical supply for at least 30 days.

Diabetes

Diabetes compromises our immune functions. The novel coronavirus can enter and attack our body more easily if our immune system is already compromised. It has been found that viruses also tend to thrive when body blood glucose levels are high. Diabetics also report significant inflammation throughout their bodies which makes them more susceptible to infectious diseases. If you are diabetic, regularly monitor your blood glucose levels diligently and keep it under check. Also, avoid going out as much as possible and stock up on food, medical supplies, and testing kits adequately.

Heart Disease

Individuals with heart diseases usually also suffer from underlying health issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and lung disease, which weakens their body's defense against illnesses and pathogens. If you come down with a coronavirus resultant fever and already happen to suffer from heart disease, you would be placing additional stress on your body's metabolic system. Developing pneumonia would put extreme strain on your heart as the condition makes oxygenating blood difficult for our lungs. Additionally, inflammation caused by the COVID infection can damage the lining of our blood vessels via which our hearts pump blood.

Depression and Anxiety

The novel coronavirus can have devastating effects on individuals with pre-existing mental health complaints as well. Fear of contracting the virus has raised anxiety levels in all of us, but a person with a pre-existing anxiety disorder will experience this anxiety much worse. Anxiety can also worsen depression. If you suffer from either, you will find it all the more stressful to deal with daily life. If a close family member contracts the virus, the burden of caregiving will also take its toll. Reach out to friends and family for mental support and try to follow a routine to keep your mental health from flailing. Exercising and meditating are other ways to help relieve daily stress accumulated as a result of the pandemic situation.

Phoenix Family Medical Clinic advises you to make a virtual appointment with us if you suffer from any of the above health concerns and would like directives on how to help ward off the coronavirus. Call us, email us or opt for a telemedicine appointment. We are here to help you to the best of our ability!

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