Poor concentration, dizziness and headache. These are the daily consequences that Ron de Rooy is still experiencing more than two years after his corona infection. In a gym in Maastricht he is working on his recovery with the help of oxygen therapy.
De Rooy is a so-called lung covid patient; someone who suffers from all kinds of physical discomfort for a long time.
oxygen mask
In Jos Diederen’s gym in Maastricht, De Rooy is working on his recovery with the help of oxygen therapy. On an exercise bike you then complete exercises with an oxygen mask on. “You then get 90 percent pure oxygen. The oxygen is filtered from the air via two concentrators, it goes to a large bag and from that bag it runs through a pipe to the mask,” explains Diederen.
De Rooy has been using oxygen therapy since the beginning of this year. He notices that his condition has improved enormously. “First I was dizzy after walking 1.5 kilometers. Now I can walk five to six kilometers. Then I have to stop in between, but it is certainly a significant improvement,” he says.
Also read: Corona patient: ‘Don’t get infected, it’s hell’
Greater Endurance
Other lung covid patients also benefit from oxygen therapy, says Diederen. He got the idea from a fellow gym owner. “Several years ago I contracted exercise-induced asthma. I also had corona twice. Ten years ago I ran a marathon and suddenly I was running almost 500 meters. Then a colleague invited me to give it a try. I I noticed in no time that my condition improved a lot and that I had greater stamina.”
‘Racing like a beast’
About 12 people are now using it in his Maastricht gym. The therapy is also a godsend for Lenny Paes. She suffers from burnout and high blood pressure. “I notice that my condition improves quickly. If I cycle for ten minutes on a normal bicycle, I am completely lost. But now with the oxygen I can hold it for a long time and now and then I rage like a beast on that bike”, according to Paes.
On the way back
More than two years after his corona infection, De Rooy is doing a lot better. He is slowly making his way back. “I would very much like to be able to function again as I did before covid. That is still quite a process. That includes everything. But above all I would like to be physically the old one again.”
Also read: Corona patient Ron at home: ‘Now have a lot more air’