From starting your day with Yogasanas, breathing exercises and a spoon of Chyawanprash, the new ‘Post Covid Management Protocol’ issued by
the Indian Health Ministry for patients recovering from the deadly infection, entails
many Ayush medicines with immunity-boosting properties.
“After acute Covid-19 illness, recovered patients may
continue to report wide variety of signs and symptoms including fatigue, body
ache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing etc. As of now there is
limited evidence of post-Covid sequalae…A holistic approach is required for
follow up care and well-being of all post-Covid recovering patients,” the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said while issuing the suggestions.
The ‘Post Covid Management Protocol’ lists three sets of
instructions – at Individual level, Community level and Healthcare facility
setting.
At the Individual level
The discharged patients should continue Covid appropriate behaviour
(use of mask, hand & respiratory hygiene and physical distancing) and drink
adequate amount of warm water.
“Take immunity promoting Ayush medicine… to be practiced and
prescribed by a qualified practitioner of Ayush, daily practice of Yogasana,
Pranayama and Meditation, breathing exercises as prescribed by treating physician,
daily morning or evening walk at a comfortable pace as tolerated,” the ministry
advises.
The immunity boosting Ayush medicines recommended includes Ayush Kwath (150 ml) daily, Samshamani vati (500 mg twice a day) or Giloy powder (Tinospora cordifolia) 1-3
grams with luke warm water for 15 days, Ashwagandha
(500 mg twice a day; 15 days) and Amla
fruit (one daily). In case of dry cough, Mulethi
powder (1-3 gram) should be mixed with warm water and taken twice a day. Also have
warm turmeric milk (morning/evening), gargle with salt water and take Chyawanprash (one teaspoon; 5 mg once
daily in the morning) as per directions from Vaidya.
The guidelines include having an easy to digest and balanced
nutritious diet, adequate sleep and rest, self-health monitoring at home
(temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, pulse oximetry) and monitoring for
early warning signs such as high fever, breathlessness, unexplained chest pain
and focal weakness.
“If there is persistent dry cough / sore throat, do saline
gargles and take steam inhalation. Cough medications should be taken on advice
of medical doctor or qualified practitioner of Ayush,” the protocol reads.
The suggestions at Community
level includes participation “in group sessions of Yoga, Meditation etc
while taking all due precautions like physical distancing”.
In Healthcare facility
setting
The first follow-up visit (physical/telephonic) should be
within seven days after discharge, preferably at the hospital where he/she
underwent treatment. Subsequent treatment/follow up visits may be with the
nearest qualified allopathic/AYUSH practitioner/medical facility of other
systems of medicine. Poly-therapy is to be avoided due to potential for unknown
drug-drug interaction, which may lead to Serious Adverse Events (SAE) or
Adverse Effects (AE).
