Parkzeit 2021-2 (EN)

The word fatigue comes from Latin (fatigatio =
fatigue). Since the advent of SARS-CoV-2, and
Long Covid disease in particular, fatigue has now
become a common term in many languages.
Physical, mental and emotional exhaustion is one
of the most common symptoms of Long Covid
worldwide. Fatigue has been well understood in
oncology and cancer therapy for a long time, as it
often occurs during tumour treatment.
DR IRENE BRUNHUBER
“It's hard to imagine,
but it's like when you just
pull the plug”
"Fatigue is one of many possible long-term
consequences of Covid-19," says internist and
Mayr physician at Park Igls, Dr Irene Brunhuber.
However, there is still a dearth of long-term
studies and research on this topic, which is
currently being studied intensively, for example,
at the Charité-Fatigue-Zentrum in Berlin. As an
internist, Dr Brunhuber is following these
developments with great interest, as well as
relevant studies and research results worldwide.
"We just don't know enough yet. In any case, it is
positive that fatigue is widely discussed as an
illness, because those affected (apart from
the symptoms) still suffer greatly from the fact
that it is too rarely diagnosed correctly," says
Dr Brunhuber.
A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS
Not having one’s complaints taken seriously
is always a problem for every patient. Because
Long Covid was completely new, it hit and still
hits people suffering from fatigue with full force:
“People suffering from this condition who claimed
exhaustion were simply told ‘yeah, we’re all
exhausted, so what you’re experiencing can’t be
that bad.’ I also know that such patients are often
considered to be going through something
psychosomatic. In reality, however, this can be a
serious misdiagnosis," says Brunhuber.
What Brunhuber tells us about people who
have been diagnosed with fatigue after Covid-19
is truly depressing. Even one of her friends also
suffered from this condition terribly. She is a
doctor herself, a mother of three teenage sons,
and the "type of woman where you say to
yourself: She takes care of her health, she’s very
active at work and in her private life, and she’s
really physically fit. And even though she lives her
life at a fast pace, she has her job, her private life,
her responsibilities totally under control. She’s
the type of person who really has things together,"
says Brunhuber, describing her doctor friend.
Today, more than a year after the illness and after
a one-month stay in rehab, she is back at her job.
But she still doesn’t feel fit, not like she did before.
"It's hard to imagine, but it's like when you just
pull the plug. Fit people are no longer able to
cope with their normal routines. Sufferers often
say it’s impossible for them to even make a
telephone call. The smallest, supposedly simple
and self-evident tasks in everyday life suddenly
no longer seem manageable," says Irene
Brunhuber, describing the information given by
those affected. “This has enormous consequences
on their professional and private lives." Even
though there is not yet enough concrete
information and data on this subject, what we do
know shows that the condition can affect
individuals of any age and is completely
independent of the severity of the initial Covid-19
disease. Women also appear to be more
commonly affected than men.
A HARD JOURNEY BACK
When it comes to fatigue symptoms in Long
Covid patients, the focus is on rest as well as
slowly and carefully reintroducing the affected
person to the challenges of everyday life. For
many, not taking on too much right away is an
often insurmountable hurdle to overcome.
"Because sometimes it's better, sometimes it's
worse during recovery," says Brunhuber. And, as
is the case with her friend the doctor, "even if
you're used to a fast pace in your professional
and private lives, after slowing things down to a
full stop, you’d be well advised to pick up the
pace again very slowly, step by step and
cautiously."
“Being mindful
of your own health
is one of the most
important lessons”
Dr Irene Brunhuber MD
Specialist for internal medicine, Mayr physician with an
additional diploma in orthomolecular medicine
The special "Fit after Covid" programme has
been offered at Park Igls since late 2019.
Dr Irene Brunhuber played a leading role in
developing this programme along with the
medical management team. It is designed to
help people who have already been sick with
Covid-19. How does the programme aid
recovery?
Who is it suitable for?
The programme is primarily aimed at people
who have already had Covid-19 and includes
comprehensive diagnostics and therapy.
What does the programme entail?
In addition to a medical check-up, which is
carried out for all programmes at the beginning
of the stay, we check the status of the lung
function and carry out a medical performance
diagnosis as well as a special physiotherapeutic
assessment. By means of our in-house blood lab,
we also exclude myocardial damage, which is not
uncommon with Covid-19. These are central
building blocks.
Do more men or women book this programme?
Just about equal. What we are finding is that
many of our regulars are interested in the
diagnostics of this programme. This can of
course be added on during a stay here.
Why is Park Igls so good at helping people?
Those that come to us are interested in tailormade
treatment both diagnostically and
therapeutically. In other words, the therapy
offered is personalised and fits to the needs of the
patient. That's what makes our treatment stand
apart, and that individuality is immensely
important, especially after a Covid-19 infection.
When should one book the "Fit after Covid"
programme?
Are you chronically tired, lacking drive or
strength? Do you have headaches, insomnia,
persistent irritable cough, shortness of breath,
or difficulty concentrating after having had
Covid-19? We can usually achieve good results
with this programme for effective regeneration.
And what about strengthening the immune
system?
Exactly, this is quite essential in the context of
Mayr-Prevent medicine. But we are interested in
more than just strengthening the immune system.
Our cures or special programmes are about so
much more. One of the most important lessons is
mindfulness – for your own physical and mental
health. This changes lives permanently. That's
not only great to see, but it’s also part of the
reason why I love being a doctor here.
TIP
Everybody is familiar with stress in their private
and professional lives. However, very few people
know suitable stress management strategies.
This is exactly where our treatment methods come
in. As an active therapy, Modern Mayr Medicine
also achieves great results in this regard.
With our Mayr De-Stress therapy module, we
combine the latest conventional medical methods
with therapies and treatment techniques of
complementary medicine such as cranio-sacral
therapy and thus achieve lasting treatment
successes for people suffering from stress.
6 LONG COVID / FATIGUE LONG COVID / FATIGUE 7