How a Lung Disease Veteran Managed COVID-19
Mark America Smith, PdH
I implement and teach my clients the world’s greatest sales operating system | Personal Advisor to C-Suite Executives | Best-selling Author | Editor | Chief Agronomist (my son’s baseball team lets me mow the field)
My name is Mark Smith, and I have been suffering from lung, trachea, and general upper respiratory disease for 26 years.
I have, on a good day, around 30% of normal lung function. I’ve had over 30 surgeries on my lungs and airway, and need another in the next 30 days. (That's a lot of 30's)
I guess you can say I’m a bit of a pro at dealing with respiratory issues.
For that reason, I was terrified of contracting COVID-19.
And, also for that reason, when I did contract COVID-19 a few weeks ago, I found myself uniquely prepared to protect myself and contribute to my own healing.
In short, I dealt with ~4 days of minor symptoms, 3 days of intense symptoms, and then almost no symptoms thereafter. Those 3 intense days were pretty awful. However, because I knew all the “tricks,” I never once felt in real danger of having to be hospitalized.
I want to share with you everything I know about handling COVID-19.
To be very clear, I am not a doctor. I don’t pretend to be one. You should not listen to me if a doctor says otherwise.
Nevertheless, I believe I have some expertise and want to share it with you.
And, I truly believe that this information can save lives or, at the very least, meaningfully reduce the number of people who must be hospitalized due to COVID-19-related respiratory issues.
Let’s get started.
In short, I believe that the single most important factor in a COVID-19 recovery is managing chest congestion.
To do this, there are two important topics:
- Preparation
- Vigilant Treatment
Preparation
I believe every home in America needs to be prepared for the worst. To be prepared, I recommend purchasing the following now, and not after you already need it (Links at bottom. I DO NOT make money if you buy them):
- Pulse Oximeter
- Spirometer
- Nebulizer
- Vibratory PEP device and/or Volumetric Exerciser
- Guaifenesin (Mucinex or “Mucus Relief” at Costco)
- Dextromethorphan
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Sinus Rinse
- Distilled water
- Melatonin
Vigilant Treatment
So, you have COVID-19. Or you at least believe you do and are awaiting test results.
You must begin to treat your symptoms immediately. Doing so will meaningfully lower your risk for hospitalization.
- Before you even get sick, use the spirometer to measure your “peak flow.” This is the rate at which you expel air, and a critical data point to determine if you are stable, improving, or worsening. Write down your peak flow and keep in a journal or on your smartphone.
- If you have a fever, take acetaminophen. Brand name is Tylenol. It works. It will not only lower your fever, but it will reduce your muscle aches. Take every 4 hours, or as directed by weight (not age, weight).
Oxygen and Air Flow measurements
- Get a journal or keep a running note on your smartphone
- Use the pulse oximeter to measure your blood oxygen levels and write them down. If you are above 90, you are likely doing fine and don’t need to panic. If you drop below 90, you need to call your doctor. If you go into the low 80’s get to the hospital.
- Use the spirometer to measure your “peak flow” every hour. Write in your journal.
Clearing sinuses
- In the morning, use the NeilMed Sinus rinse to clear out your sinuses. I recommend in the morning, as it is the safest time to do it without risking any of it draining into your mouth or throat while you sleep.
Managing mucus
- Once you begin to feel mucus build-up or chest congestion, you must diligently manage this issue.
- Drink a ton of room temperature water. Probably 2 liters a day.
- I do not recommend cold or hot water, as they can cause acid reflux and make your recovery slower, or more uncomfortable.
- Take guaifenesin every 4 hours, or as directed in the bottle. I take 400mg every four hours.
- Use the vibratory PEP device for at least 20 deep breaths every hour. This will help break up mucus before it gets worse.
- Use the nebulizer at least 2x per day. I did treatments 6x per day while treating COVID-19, but I also have serious lung issues.
- Note: you will need a doctor prescription for saline. It is super cheap, but your doctor has to call it in for you.
- NOTE: It is a very good thing if you are coughing up a ton of mucus. Yes, you’re sick, but at least you are ridding your lungs of harmful congestion.
90 minutes Before Bed
- Take a dose of guaifenesin.
- With a loved one nearby … get into a hot shower and put a towel over your head and hold the front of the towel about 6 inches in front of your face. Let the hot water hit the towel in front of your face, creating steam between the towel and your mouth/nose.
- Take deep breaths for 5-10 minutes.
- Get completely dry and bundled up from head to toe, with your face exposed.
- Go outside into the cold air and use the PEP machine and/or spirometer for at least 20 long, deep breaths.
- This process should open up your airway and give great relief before bedtime.
- Take melatonin, according to your weight. Do not overuse it. There is no benefit to overusing melatonin, and it could actually harm your body’s ability to produce its own.
If you are dealing with a bad cough
- Keep taking the guaifenesin. If you do cough, you want it to be productive.
- But also take dextromethorphan. This will give you rest from harsh coughing.
Balancing Rest and Mucus Control
- If you contract COVID-19, you must rest. You should be getting 8-10 hours of sleep at night, and maybe a nap during the day.
- However, you MUST NOT lay in bed all day. Doing so will allow harmful mucus to collect in your lungs.
- I highly recommend taking a calm 5-10 minute walk every hour. Get fresh air. Allow your body to help itself.
Now, of course, none of this will guarantee that you stay out of the hospital. However, I sincerely believe this regiment will help, and could legitimately save thousands of lives.
I wish you the absolute best.
As a reminder: Follow your doctor’s advice! Your doctor is the main authority. If your doctor contradicts anything I say, listen to your doctor, and not me!
Here are the links to products I think all homes should have. They are representative, and aren’t necessarily the exact ones I have used. And, as a reminder, I don’t make a penny off you purchasing any of these.
Pulse Oximeter
Peak Flow Meter
Nebulizer
Vibratory PEP device and/or Volumetric Exerciser
Guaifenesin (Mucinex or “Mucus Relief” at Costco)
Dextromethorphan
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Sinus Rinse
Thanks for sharing this Mark A. Smith!! I have sent this to friends who are recovering from COVID and it helped me with my husband as well! Great tips.. hope you are well!
Systems Designer at Lone Star Communications, Inc.
3 年tank you for share your helpful tips. I'm very glad you had a successful recovery?
Inspiring Leader I Visionary I Co-Host of "Engagement Matters Bridging the Leadership Gap" Podcast I Avid Golfer I AKA The Mayor
3 年Great information Mark! Thank you for going with your heart and sharing... if only 1 person reads this and it helps them it is worth it! Your story is worth sharing business related or not.. kuddos to you
Husband/Father | Veteran | Cybersecurity Leader
3 年Thanks for sharing this Mark, great to see how you were able to plan and manage through it.
Financial Advisor at Edward Jones
3 年Thank you for sharing! My 17 year old has asthma and contracted Covid. I wish I had read this article a month ago. :( BUT, it is good for future reference and for others. Thank you!