Post-COVID Shortness of Breath Treatment in Ventura County

If you were diagnosed with COVID-19 and are still experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath or chronic cough weeks or months afterward, the board-certified pulmonologists at West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center are here to help. You may be experiencing the “long haul” effects of COVID-19, in which symptoms persist even after the infection has cleared your system. Our experienced providers can deliver the correct diagnosis and treatments you need to improve your symptoms and enhance your quality of life.

Diagnosing Post-COVID Shortness of Breath

For most people with mild cases of COVID-19, symptoms clear up within two weeks. But not everyone is that lucky. The main “long haul” COVID-19 symptom is shortness of breath, which can be accompanied by chronic cough, chest tightness, and fatigue. Shortness of breath may feel like:

• You aren’t able to take a full, deep breath.
• You have difficulty catching your breath, even while performing simple activities like walking to the mailbox.
• You can’t breathe as quickly as you need to.

When you come to West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center for shortness of breath treatment, we’ll conduct a variety of testing to rule out any other lung conditions that may be causing your symptoms. For example, if you have underlying pulmonary fibrosis, having COVID-19 likely worsened your condition and could be the reason behind your lingering symptoms. We may recommend one or more of the following tests:

• Imaging scans, such as a CT scan or X-ray
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) that may include spirometry and/or body plethysmography
• The six-minute walk test
• Blood testing

Treating Post-COVID Shortness of Breath

Once we understand the extent of your shortness of breath, and whether it’s caused by COVID-19 or another condition (or a combination of the two), we’ll develop a comprehensive treatment plan, which may include:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation for symptom management
• Medication that can help reduce inflammation in the lungs
• Oxygen therapy that can offer supplemental oxygen if your shortness of breath is particularly severe

Schedule an Appointment

If you are experiencing shortness of breath after a case of COVID-19, turn to the board-certified providers at West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center for expert treatment. Contact us today to schedule a prompt appointment at one of our clinics in Oxnard, CA, or Camarillo, CA. We also offer telemedicine services for our patients.