What is COVID-19? | G34: COVID-19 Project

Impact of COVID-19 on Diabetic Patients

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing severe complications after contracting the virus. These complications involve pneumonia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and high blood sugar. Diabetic ketoacidosis causes the body to break down fats for energy which results in a build-up of ketones in the blood. Ketones make the blood more acidic which can cause serious health risks such as coma and death. Patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at high risk of developing pneumonia as a result of COVID-19. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs. This can be diagnosed by a CT scan which shows the tissues of the lungs in fine detail. A CT scan of the chest may be done to see finer details within the lungs and detect pneumonia that may be more difficult to see on a plain x-ray. A CT scan also shows the airway in great detail. Ultrasound may be used in drainage of pleural effusions as a result of pneumonia.

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Cancer Patients and COVID-19

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

As a cancer patient, complications may arise which make you more likely to need imaging done. Whether you are on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, you should continue to attend your appointment as usual unless you have been contacted and told otherwise.

However, active treatment for cancer - especially chemotherapy, as well as recent major surgeries can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Our lungs and blood flow around the body become weakened by the cancer treatment and surgeries. A weakened immune system can make you more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, and increase the likelihood of contracting a serious illness, such as pneumonia.

Coronavirus-infected pneumonia can arise as a complication of COVID-19 due to a weak immune system. If your COVID-19 infection does start to develop pneumonia you may start to notice symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or heavy sweating. Upon contracting pneumonia, you may have to undergo a CT scan or a chest X-Ray to detect or confirm the presence. Read more about what to expect as a CT patient under the CT scan here!!

COVID-19 and Lung Cancer

As a patient with lung cancer, there is no evidence to support the fact that you are more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus disease. However, if you were to become infected you are more likely to get complications from it, because of the underlying disease. These complications can include acute respiratory failure and pneumonia. Look at guidelines made by HSE on how to stay safe during Covid-19 to reduce risk of contracting the illness.

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Impact of COVID-19 on People with High Blood Pressure

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

For people with high blood pressure, they are at a greater risk of getting severely ill with COVID-19 as such a condition can lead to many more health complications including heart failure, stroke, dementia, and heart attacks. Good management of blood pressure reduces the risk from COVID-19 and all other consequences of hypertension.

Conditions such as endocrine hypertension, a type of high blood pressure caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body, can use imaging modalities including computed tomography (CT) and MRI in order to establish a firm diagnosis, as these disorders often originate in the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland.

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Radiological imaging in endocrine hypertension

COVID-19 and Its Neurological Impact

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

In some cases, COVID-19 may attack the central nervous system, causing neurological symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness, nerve damage, or disorientation. If these symptoms persist, it may be recommended that a patient goes for an MRI of the brain or other parts of the nervous system. MRI allows physicians to assess the central nervous system for any abnormalities.

The most common neurological effects of COVID-19 are stroke and encephalitis, while less common effects include peripheral nerve damage, brain haemorrhage or memory loss. These can be the consequences of severe cases of COVID-19.

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