The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that every 6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic condition. Moreover, every 4 in 10 people are known to have two or more chronic diseases.
A few of these conditions include Alzheimer’s, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, heart problems and lung disease.
Individuals dealing with any of these diseases are primary users of the nation’s healthcare facilities. They drive approximately $3.5 trillion in annual medical expenses and healthcare costs.
At the time of the COVIID-19 outbreak, it’s important to analyze how chronic conditions and disabilities are adding to the financial burden of containing the epidemic. Since the numbers of positive cases are tripling by the second, it’s crucial to determine if and how chronic conditions affect patient’s immunity against the virus.
Here’s what you need to know about common chronic conditions and the virus.
Chronic Conditions and COVID-19
The CDC has confirmed that people living with chronic disease are more susceptible to catching the virus. Reports from the outbreak in China and Italy have shown that pre-existing medical conditions worsened the risk of severe illness from the virus. Due to this threat, 7000 cases of coronavirus were evaluated in the US. This is what the results showed:
- About 71 percentof cases hospitalized, had a history of at least one medical condition.
- Almost 78 percentof coronavirus patients that were treated in intensive care, had an underlying chronic condition.
- Diabetes, heart diseases, and lung problemswere reported among the most common conditions, noted in the COVID-19 cases.
Diabetes during COVID-19
A defining characteristic of diabetes are high blood sugar levels. This can affect the blood vessels in the body and damage them overtime. Since these vessels are responsible for transporting blood to the lungs, damaged vessels can restrict fresh blood supply which can interrupt lung functions.
Since the coronavirus is also a respiratory infection, combining it with impaired lungs due to diabetes can double the cumulative effect.
This virus is also responsible for inflaming the blood vessels in diabetic individuals. If the blood becomes too acidic because of this, the situation can be life-threatening. This has been confirmed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). It’s essential to monitor the blood sugar levels in diabetic people and keep it under control during this epidemic.
Heart Diseases during COVID-19
Having a pre-existing heart condition can also increase the risk of contracting the virus. Individuals that have survived a stroke or report high blood pressure, already have weak heart muscles. Getting the viral infection in such a state can be doubly dangerous. It can affect the lungs as well as the heart, and shrink the chances of survival even more!
Since the lungs are malfunctioning, the heart won’t be able to receive enough oxygenated blood. The heart muscles will then have to exert themselves to cover the lag, levying extra stress on the organ and making it weak against the virus.
If you’re seeking medical assistance for a movement disorder or other rehab facilities, consult our specialists.
Our supervisor, Dr. Farzin Pedouim, is a board-certified neurologist and movement disorders specialist. Based in Los Angeles and Huntington Beach, our specialist clinic offers treatments for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, and other conditions like tension headaches, migraines, and dystonia.
Call at (949) 239-4410 for more information.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide any guaranteed medical cure. All content and pandemic-related material are for informational purposes only. They are not a valid substitute for in-house consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment by a qualified healthcare provider.
