High-risk conditions and the coronavirus

The news keeps telling us that people with underlying conditions are at greater risk of serious, life-threatening complications from the coronavirus. Although many people, at last count, around 80 percent, will have moderate symptoms and recover, there are those who, if infected, may not be so lucky.

Today we’re going to look at some of these underlying conditions. Besides those people 65 years and older and those living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies the following people of all ages who have medical conditions that could put them at high risk:

These are people with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, severe obesity (BMI 40 or over), diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease, and people who are immunocompromised.

Immunocompromised can include those undergoing cancer treatments, people who smoke, have had a bone marrow or organ transplants, have immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and those who’ve had prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.

If you are at high risk, it’s crucial to reduce the opportunity for infection by following the CDC’s recommendations. You know, self-isolate, wash your hands frequently, limit trips to the grocery store and disinfect, disinfect, disinfect. Be sure to eat a healthy diet and get exercise. Don’t stay cooped up in the house; the weather is getting warmer so you can walk outside while practicing social distancing.

We won’t have room to talk about all conditions, but here’s advice I found for the most common. We’ll start with lung disease and asthma.

“It is important to continue taking your controlled medications for asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases,” the American Lung Association says. “If you are running low on a prescription, speak with your healthcare provider about your options so you can take your medication as prescribed. And, if your insurance allows, secure a 90-day supply of prescription medications. The most important factor in mitigating complication risk is keeping your asthma well-controlled, and maintenance medications play a key role.”

Don’t stop any medications or change your asthma treatment without talking to your primary care provider. You should know how to use your inhaler properly and to avoid your asthma triggers. You know what they are, right?

For those with diabetes, WebMD suggests stocking up on enough goods to last you for a couple of weeks. “Make sure you have enough food, especially healthy carbs like whole-wheat crackers, vegetable or noodle soups, and unsweetened applesauce.” You should also have a two week supply of simple carbs like honey, sugar-sweetened soda, fruit juice, or hard candies in the event of blood sugar dips.

They also say to get the maximum number of refills you can of your insulin and other medications and to get extra glucagon and ketone strips. When you talk to your primary care provider by phone or telehealth visit, ask how often you should check your blood sugar and ketones, how to adjust your diabetes medicines if you’re sick, and what cold and flu remedies are safe for you to take.

EndocrineWeb.com has an article about the coronavirus and obesity that, if you fall into that category, you might want to read. It explains how angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binds well to viruses and suggests it increases the risk of illness severity due to the amount of actual fat in the body.

“Unfortunately, the risk of serious illness increases even more if you have comorbidities, illnesses, or conditions that occur together,” Dr. Karl Nadolsky, an endocrinologist, said. And the World Obesity Foundation says that treating obese patients is more challenging because they may exceed the weight limits of diagnostic equipment or be more challenging to transport.

“At this time, it may be worth it to explore or revisit lifestyle changes to help you stay healthy in general and during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nadolsky says. “You might start a daily workout routine or begin eating healthier while in quarantine, for example – changes that will benefit you well after quarantine is over.”

And this next advice works for all of us, “Since you can’t go to the gym, make sure you spend more time up and walking than sitting. Think about muscles as little factories you need to keep churning and burning.”

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.