Covid-19 and lung injury
There are concerns regarding a possible long term lung injury following Covid-19 infection. Although the exact data from current pandemic is not known yet, some observations can be derived from previous SARS outbreak in 2003 and other similar epidemics. It is estimated that approximately 30% of population affected by SARS and Middle East epidemic suffered subsequent chronic lung injury. It is too early to predict whether Covid-19 will cause similar problems. It has been noted, however, that some patients who recovered from Covid-19 present with some breathing difficulties along other symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy.
It is postulated that Covid-19, similarly to previous viral epidemics, can possibly lead to pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic condition caused by a chronic inflammation which makes lung stiffer. It makes breathing more labours and exhausting. Many treatments of acute Covid-19 infection have been tried and most of them failed. One which has been proven beneficial and life saving is dexamethasone, a well known steroid with potent anti-inflammatory features. Its effectiveness has further proven that inflammation plays a crucial role in developing lung injury during Covid-19 infection.
Role of PRP in tackling inflammation
As mentioned above, there are concerns that Covid-19 might cause chronic lung inflammation leading to a chronic fibrosis. It is well known that long term steroid use causes more harm than good, therefore prolonged steroid administration for chronic diseases is not advisable and should be avoided if possible. And this is where regenerative medicine come to the stage. One of the most potent anti-inflammatory factors are contained in blood platelets! And concentrated platelets (PRP) have been used for several conditions, such as arthritis, tendonitis, disc degeneration, infected wounds and so on… All these conditions have one common feature: inflammation. And PRP tackles inflammation like no other medicine.
PRP and lungs
The idea of using PRP inhalations for various lung diseases, such as fibrosis, COPD and asthma has been explored in the laboratories and in the clinics for a decade with very promising results. It has been postulated that platelets are capable of regenerating lungs. Lungs, like any other organ, age and with ageing comes degeneration. It is possible that PRP can slow down the process although further research is required to fully develop this concept.
Please, contact us, should you wish to learn more about the current state of knowledge in this area.