Cornwall Living
Breathing easy
Enjoy summer without respiratory issues, with a little help from Duchy Hospital.
Summer in Cornwall is a remarkable sight; the the ocean is sparkling in the sunshine, the flowers are flourishing and the bees are buzzing. For many, hiking along the beautiful Cornish coast or going for a sea swim are enjoyable hobbies, but for some battling with respiratory issues, these activities have become a struggle. Duchy Hospital want to help you get back to doing the things you love.
After two difficult years during the pandemic, we have all been looking forward to getting back to normality, including enjoying a warm and safe summer. Living with Covid has been a challenge for all, but for some these difficulties continue for many months or even years after suffering their Covid illness. Reassuringly however, the Covid infection for most is mild and settles quickly within 7-10 days.
We speak to Dr Ben Soar, Respiratory Medicine Consultant at Duchy Hospital. “Current guidance states that it can take up to three months for Covid symptoms to resolve, however, in some patients symptoms persist beyond this,” he explains. “In these cases, post-Covid syndrome may be diagnosed. Common symptoms of long Covid include breathlessness, a cough, fatigue and difficulty sleeping and concentrating.”
However, these symptoms could also be a sign of underlying respiratory conditions that can be investigated with relatively simple respiratory tests. If respiratory complications are excluded then post-Covid syndrome may be diagnosed. Dr Soar can run these tests at Duchy Hospital, then work with you to decide on a personalised management plan that best suits you and your recovery.
Dr Soar goes on to say: “The best protection from Covid is vaccination. After time you may still catch Covid but the risk of becoming significantly unwell remains greatly reduced. Vaccination is the reason we will be able to enjoy our safest summer for two years.”
Dr Soar is a Respiratory Medicine Consultant based in Cornwall. His clinical interests include post-Covid syndrome, lung disease, cough, asthma and COPD. He is a part of many professional memberships and has an extensive academic background within respiratory medicine.
So, if you are suffering with respiratory or post-Covid symptoms that are preventing you from doing the things you love, do not suffer in silence. There are helpful resources on www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk, or Dr Soar, Respiratory Medicine Consultant holds regular clinics at Duchy Hospital.
DUCHY HOSPITAL
