May 10, 2021, 05:47:45 PM | TOI.in
  • Share

Mind your belly fat, it poses major challenge in Covid treatment, recovery

Identified as a comorbidity, obesity has turned out to be a major challenge in Covid treatment, especially in the second wave. Obese patients take more time to recovery as their body movement gets restricted while they also need higher ventilation pressure. Doctors said the younger population, which has put on belly fat in last one year, too is at as much risk as an obese person. As compared to patients having proportionate body mass index (BMI) but a potbelly, those with a lean tummy recovered faster from Covid. Ahead of the third wave, doctors said people still have time to improve their fitness and physique to protect themselves from getting severe Covid. Dr Imran Noor Mohammed, critical care specialist, said lung capacity goes down due to abdomen pressure. “Lungs remain compressed because of fat on chest and abdomen. The way lungs must work becomes difficult. Obese patients also need bipap for a longer time and higher requirement of ventilator. The inflammatory markers too are high due to body fat. If the abdomen is flat, the recovery is fast,” he said. As lung expansion, a crucial activity in Covid, becomes cumbersome among obese patients, a lot depends on physiotherapy en route to recovery. “Prone position is also not possible for many obese patients. These are logistic challenges while treatment hurdles are related to size of oxygen masks, which is often not available,” Dr Mohammad said adding that even lean obesity is harmful in Covid scenario.

Top Viral Videos

Short Videos

Explore Every Corner
Across The Globe
Services
Latest News
'Ajaz Khan's phone switched off': Mumbai Police say actor untraceable after rape FIRFitness expert recommends a 10-minute no-gym and no crunches workout to lose the postpartum belly fat'Genocidal language': JD Vance blasts Ilhan Omar's call to 'profile white men'New Zealand PM proposes banning under-16s from social mediaMet Gala 2025: A$AP Rocky confirms he and Rihanna are expecting their third child at the biggest fashion galaTwo Indian children missing as boat accident leaves three dead near San DiegoKiara Advani debuts baby bump at her first Met Gala: ‘Making my debut as an artist and mom-to-be feels incredibly special’Diljit Dosanjh channels Punjabi royalty at Met Gala 2025 in Maharaja-inspired look - WATCHDesigners do a double take at the lettering on Pope Francis' tombstoneHegseth orders 20% cut in senior generals across the PentagonThe 2-minute habit a neuroscientist swears by to keep the brain sharpAustralia government to continue working on cutting net migration, hiking minimum pay for skilled workersMet Gala 2025: Nick 'Jiju' takes over the internet once again as he helps wifey Priyanka Chopra with her dress on the red carpetRomania PM quits after far right wins first-round of president voteTrump administration blocks billion-dollar Harvard funding as White House demands sweeping overhaulB'desh court orders Hindu monk's arrestEurope makes a pitch to lure scientists shunned by USNatasha Poonawalla brings Parsi Gara to the Met Gala in futuristic couture by Manish Malhotra
Copyright © 2025 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service