Coronavirus can wreak havoc on your lungs and we all know it very well now. The unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a significant toll on people all across the world. Researchers have stated that in patients who died of the infection, Covid-19 unleashed a detrimental trifecta of runaway inflammation, direct destruction and impaired regeneration of lung cells involved in gas exchange, and accelerated lung scarring.

Though the study looked at lungs from patients who had died of the disease, it provides solid leads as to why survivors of severe Covid may experience long-term respiratory complications due to lung scarring. But, the question is how does coronavirus affect your lungs? Let’s understand everything.

How Does Coronavirus Affect The Lungs?

According to a recent study, researchers have found that exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone was enough to induce Covid-19-like symptoms, including severe inflammation of the lungs. Also Read – Revised Home Isolation For Mild COVID-19 Cases Released: Read It All Here

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is covered in tiny spike proteins. These proteins bind with receptors on our cells, starting a process that allows the virus to release its genetic material into a healthy cell.

Here’s The Step-By-Step Process

Coronavirus enters your body through the mouth, eyes, nose, etc. After entering your body the virus reaches into your respiratory tract, which includes your lungs. Then the virus slowly travels down to your airways. During this process, the lining of your respiratory tract can become irritated and inflamed. In some of the rare cases, the virus infection can also affect your alveoli.

Warning Symptoms That Coronavirus Has Infected Your Lungs

Once coronavirus enters your body, the lungs can give you some of the early signs and symptoms that can help you fight the virus. Here are some of the warning signs you need to look out for:

  1. Irritated Throat
  2. Dry Cough
  3. Sore Throat
  4. Some people who are already suffering from pneumonia can also experience inflamed alveoli.
  5. Sudden difficulty in breathing.
  6. Acute pain in the lower portion of your lungs.
  7. Pain in the chest is also another warning symptom that one should look out for.

The researchers from Old Dominion University, Virginia, US, developed a genetically modified mouse and injected it with a segment of the spike protein and analyzed their response 72 hours later. Another group of mice received only saline to serve as a control.

The genetically modified mice exhibited Covid-19-like symptoms that included severe inflammation, an influx of white blood cells into their lungs, and evidence of a cytokine storm — an immune response in which the body starts to attack its own cells and tissues rather than just fighting off the virus. However, the mice that only received saline remained normal, the results showed.

“Our findings show that the SARS-CoV2 spike protein causes lung injury even without the presence of an intact virus,” said Pavel Solopov, Assistant Professor at the varsity. “This previously unknown mechanism could cause symptoms before substantial viral replication occurs,” Solopov said.

Normal Lungs Vs Coronavirus Infected Lungs

Compared to normal lungs, lungs from the Covid patients were filled with immune cells called macrophages, the study found.  Further, the SARS-CoV-2 virus not only does destroy alveolar epithelial cells important for gas exchange, the ensuing inflammation also impairs the ability of the remaining cells to regenerate the damaged lung.

The researchers also found a large number of specific fibroblast cells, called pathological fibroblasts, which create rapid scarring in Covid-19 lungs. When the fibroblast cells fill the lung with scar tissue, a process called fibrosis, the lung has less space for cells involved in gas exchange and is permanently damaged.

Who Are At Higher Risk?

Coronavirus can affect anyone — irrespective of your age, gender, or anything else. However, studies have shown that some older adults and people who have other health conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes may have more serious symptoms as compared to others.

How Do Help Your Lungs Ward Off The Infection Signs?

Lungs are one of the most important organs of your body and taking care of them especially after you are infected with the novel coronavirus is of utmost importance. How to do it? The first thing to keep in mind is to exercise. Perform lung exercises to keep this organ safe from other long-term effects.

  1. Breathing exercises in which you are expanding your lungs and contracting them can help your lungs get better fast.
  2. Keep a close check on your oxygen saturation level – use an oximeter to read your oxygen level. Remember — it should always be between 94-100.
  3. Also, keep a tab on your body’s Haemoglobin and RBC level in the blood to ensure unrestricted flow to and from the lungs.
  4. Indulge yourself in light running, brisk walking cycling, or swimming. These may help your lungs to function better.
  5. Another important tip to help your lungs is to maintain a good diet. Include more bananas, apples, tomatoes, and grapes (fruits and foods which are rich in anti-oxidants) in your diet.
  6. You can also try yoga postures to help you detoxify your lungs. Some of the yoga asanas are: Sukhasana (Cross-legged Sitting Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Matsya Asana (Fish Pose), Padma Sarvangasana (Lotus Shoulder Stand).

How To Keep Coronavirus At Bay?

To avoid any of the serious symptoms, one must understand the importance of pandemic rules and regulations. The basic three things to keep in mind are — never let your guards down which means keep wearing your masks (double masking can ensure more safety). Make sure to always clean your hands using soap and water or any alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also, keep social distancing — avoid crowds as much as you can. The best way to stay safe amid the sudden spike in the cases of COVID-19 in the country. Another important thing to keep in mind is to follow a healthy and nutritious diet which can help strengthen your immunity. A strong immunity can help your body fight the odds of the coronavirus. It is also important to keep a close check on your body’s symptoms to spot the onset of the coronavirus attack and help your body fight the battle against it.

This post first appeared on The Health Site

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