Effective ways to treat COVID-19 when you're home quarantined

Ruta Bakshi

Pune: For more than a year now, many parts of the world have been in and out of lockdowns because of the pandemic. The scarcity of hospital beds across the country has left most of the people with no choice except quarantining themselves at home and doing their best to get better. Dr. Amit Walimbe from Pune suggests some effective methods to treat the patient while staying at home.

1) Keep a tab on the patient’s oxygen saturation, at least thrice a day
It is vital to regularly check the patient’s oxygen levels on an oximeter. Seek medical attention immediately if the oxygen is less than 94%.

2) Regularly check-in with the patient’s doctor and keep them updated
Make sure the patient’s doctor is kept aware of their oxygen levels and medication, as prescribed by the doctor.

3) Make sure the patient does not sleep on their back
Strictly make the patient sleep in the left lateral decubitus position (as shown in the picture) or on their stomach, as it helps improve breathing.

4) Prone positioning, in case the patient is having trouble breathing
Prone positioning is the process of turning a patient from their back onto their abdomen. It is a medically accepted position to improve breathing comfort and oxygenation.

5) Yoga and pranayama
If possible, the patient should practise yoga as much as they can. Pranayama is the practice of breath regulation. It's a main component of yoga, an exercise for physical and mental wellness. It is a very effective way to help with breathing and the anxiety that a patient usually feels.

6) The 6-minute walk test
It is a simple test to measure how well your lungs and heart are functioning. It is suggested for patients with mild coronavirus symptoms who are in home isolation. The test is not advised for those suffering from asthma, and senior citizens can take the test by walking for three minutes instead of six.

7) Regular gargles and steam
This is a precaution also suggested for people who are not covid positive, and should be practised daily. For patients with coronavirus, steam with Vicks vapour rubs and gargling with betadine is proven to be most effective.

8) Stay hydrated
Drinking water at regular intervals strengthens your immune system, and while it might not completely avoid being infected by the virus, it definitely helps in defeating the infection faster and with fewer negative effects on your body.

9) Continue taking multi-vitamins and supplements
These help slow the progression of the disease and build immunity. Even after recovering from the virus, it is valuable to regularly take multivitamins.