The subcortal portion of the brain controls simple daily behaviors such as getting out of bed, daily hygiene, and many things most of us do without a second thought. COVID does not affect these behaviors but it makes it more difficult for the patient to perform them because of acute respiratory distress and shortness of breath. Most COVID patients upon discharge from the hospital are on supplemental oxygen 24/7. This oxygen is provided by a concentrator that feeds oxygen to the patient via a 75 or 50 foot line. One of the most challenging subcortal behaviors for many is personal hygiene. As they return home many find the bathrooms they once used for personal hygiene are now barriers that contribute to increased respiratory stress and elevated heart rates.
Simple acts like brushing their teeth and showering must now be planned out and they often require assistance and more time to complete them. The oximeter pictured remains the bell weather for recovering COVID patients to gauge their activities relative to oxygen demand. One way to mitigate the stress is to adjust the oxygen flows to a higher level before and during the activity. For many this requires the help of a 24/7 caregiver who is usually a family member. This dependence on family members contributes to the sense of helplessness most recovering COVID patients feel. COVID recovery time frames differ for each patient and are tied to the ability of the lungs to heal. This requires more than anything else patience and time.
