The spread of the coronavirus has left many people feeling anxious and helpless. If someone develops worrying symptoms of COVID-19 and can’t get a test, DON’T PANIC. New Zealand based general  practitioner, Dr Sandhya Ramanathan,  shares a list of very useful tips on treating mild COVID-19 symptoms at home.  

( Resource:  You Tube video at the bottom of this article)

4 ways of treating mild Covid-19 symptoms at home

Dr Ramanathan  recommends 4 simple home management tools

• Boost your immune system
• Breathing exercises
• Reducing your viral load
• Watch your oxygen saturation levels with the use of a pulse oxymeter

Equipment required: 

• A pulse oxymeter, which measures the oxygen levels in your blood. 
• Medium to large-sized latex balloons ( see breathing exercises below)
• Drinking straws ( see breathing exercises below)

Dr Sandhya Ramanathan with Pulse Oxymetre and nasal spray

Boost immune system

Strengthening your Immune system is the best defence in fighting any infection.

• Good diet, rich in real food, colourful veg and fruit.
• Minimise junk processed food, alcohol and fizzy drinks
• Stay well hydrated with water 
• Sleep 8 hours every night
• Take 3 immune boosting supplements every day: Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and other optional ones eg. turmeric, echinacea etc.
• Stay calm with a positive mindset.

Breathing exercises

When you are sick it is important to do these exercises to keep your lungs open and clear:

Box breathing:

• Breathe out for 3 seconds  and hold  (most important to empty your lungs as much as possible)
• Breathe in for 3 seconds and hold.

Blowing balloons or bubbles while seated several times a day

• Blowing balloons over about 3 breathes ( taking breaks in between) then check your oxidation levels
• For older or weaker people: blowing bubbles through a straw into a glass of water is a gentler way to do this 

Sleep on your tummy

• Sleep on your tummy to avoid collapse of air spaces in the lungs,

Reduce viral load

• Betadine or saline gargles twice a day
• Saline nasal spray or drops with a few drops betadine in it twice a day
• Saline nasal rinse in a soft squeezable bottle as needed (250ml cooled boiled water, 1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda,1/2 tsp salt +/- few drops betadine)
• Steam inhalation with vicks especially when you are suffering from loss of smell.

Use of a Pulse Oxymeter to monitor oxygen levels in your blood

Using the pulse oxymeter is pretty simple .

• Turn it on
• Slot index finger into oxymeter.  It shines a light and determines what the oxygen level is in your blood.
• 95-100 percent is good,if its below 93 percent and  linked to shortness of breathe, it is strongly advised to get medical help.

According to Dr Ramanathan  if you use these tips you have a good chance of making a full recovery and you will not need hospital care. 

We suggest you watch this video from start to finish where she illustrates everything we explain in this article.

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