Contents
Convalescence is the time of recovery and regeneration of the body after a serious illness, injury, accident or surgery. Usually, at least a few days of rest, adequate physical activity, giving up tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, as well as the diet, medications and supplements prescribed by the doctor are recommended during this time. In some cases, the involvement of an appropriate specialist, such as a physical therapist, dietitian or psychologist, is necessary during recovery.
Convalescence after surgery
Each surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia is a burden for the body and requires adequate convalescence as indicated by the attending physician. After a short, about fifteen-minute cataract surgery, it is recommended to conserve eyesight for 24 hours, recovery also includes avoiding physical exertion, including carrying objects heavier than two kilograms, and avoiding the sauna and swimming pool for at least two weeks. Failure to follow the recommendations could lead, among other things, to the displacement of the eye’s sensitive lens after surgery.
After thyroid surgery, recovery may require only a liquid diet due to the pain in the neck that makes chewing and swallowing difficult. One of the most pleasant forms of convalescence is the consumption of ice cream after surgery to remove the tonsils, which often soothes the fear of the youngest about this procedure. In fact, it is advisable to drink plenty of cold fluids to ease the pain. However, it should be remembered that convalescence is rarely a pleasant activity, after inguinal hernia surgery it is recommended to walk despite the pain in order to avoid various complications (lack of exercise could cause adhesions). Many operations – especially those related to the locomotor system – as part of convalescence require long, systematic rehabilitation under the supervision of a specialist to enable the patient to fully recover.
Convalescence also plays an important role after all kinds of transplants. The first hours after the liver transplant, the patient spends in a sterile room, accessible only to medical personnel, because due to the medications administered and the extent of the procedure, the body is extremely vulnerable to infections and almost devoid of natural immunity. It is imperative to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection. As part of the recovery after the transplant, the patient is encouraged to start appropriate exercises, also receives detailed instructions on how to continue to function in such a way as to avoid infection and minimize the likelihood of other complications. Exercise is also an important part of convalescence after a heart attack, and the patient should do it in a special center or clinic. Exercises must be carried out under the supervision of specialized personnel, who will monitor the correctness of the exercises performed, as well as measure blood pressure and heart rate.
Convalescence after illness
Although home sickness does not seem to require as much convalescence as with surgery, remember that the absence of cough and fever does not mean that the risk of disease has passed, and the body weakened by the flu or pneumonia may require several days or weeks before will start working at full capacity. As part of convalescence after illness, you should avoid physical exertion for at least a week. During this time, you should take care of a healthy, easily digestible diet, rich in fresh fruit and vegetables or cooked products full of protein (e.g. fish or white meat), and remember about intensive hydration.
To strengthen the body in the period after diseases, it is worth using Rose Buds, which can be drunk in the form of tea.
When taking antibiotics, it is also recommended to consume probiotic supplements or products containing them, such as yogurt and kefir, which will positively affect the protection of the natural intestinal flora, support the digestive process and the functioning of the digestive system. Order Encapsa30Dr. in capsules – a dietary supplement available on Medonet Market.
To strengthen the body after an illness and to prevent another, it is important to maintain good sleep hygiene to reduce the stress associated with unpleasant ailments (most people need seven to eight hours of sleep each night). Some of the body’s healing processes require sleep. For example, the hormone melatonin is produced during sleep. This hormone is believed to boost the immune system and help repair damaged DNA. It may even play a role in preventing some forms of cancer. If we have trouble sleeping, melatonin levels can be lowered.
It should be remembered that our body has a surprising ability to recover, assuming that we provide it with the right conditions for it, and that is what the recovery period is for. After an illness or injury, the body begins to work hard to help us recover – even if we do not do much to support this process.
Thousands of chemical and biological reactions occur throughout the day and night in our body so that we can recover. When we injure ourselves, white blood cells called neutrophils rush to the site to prevent infection. Other blood cells called monocytes turn into macrophages, engulfing and devouring dead tissue and helping to control inflammation. If we break a bone, bone cells called osteoblasts start working to stitch the damaged edges together. And cell damage caused by disease – or severe therapies, for cancer, hepatitis, and other diseases – is being repaired by the same hordes of microscopic miracle workers. There are so many cells that help us heal that we could never count them all.
To aid convalescence, you can use the Vitammy Flare infrared healing lamp, which relieves pain, muscle tension and supports metabolism.
Diet during convalescence
We often read about how to eat to avoid certain diseases, but when we get sick, there are also foods that can help us recover. For example, skin and bones need vitamin A to repair. Vitamin C is crucial for the formation of collagen, the main protein in our connective tissue. Bromelain, an enzyme mixture found in fresh pineapple, reduces swelling, bruising and pain, and improves healing time after an injury or surgery. Correct protein is absolutely essential for optimal healing.
When people are healthy, they often get away with bad eating habits. Skipping breakfast and using coffee as a stimulant may have worked well in the past, but if we’re sick or injured, this time-saving will actually cost us a lot more, because recovery won’t be as fast as we might think.
Many specialists recommend that their patients eat five times a day: three small to medium meals and two nutritious snacks. This helps prevent severe drops in blood sugar levels that can cause fatigue. But what are the best eating habits for optimal treatment during recovery?
Diet during convalescence – carbohydrates
These compounds provide ready-made energy and are essential in a therapeutic diet. All carbohydrates are broken down into sugar during digestion, but complex carbohydrates such as nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains break down more slowly than simple carbohydrates such as sugar and white bread. The slower the breakdown of carbohydrates, the less likely there will be a blood sugar spike. Since these spikes can trigger inflammation and lead to damage at the cellular level, they should always be avoided, but especially during treatment. A scale called the glycemic index tells you how quickly your body converts food to sugar. If possible, it’s better to stick to complex carbohydrates and other foods with a relatively low glycemic index.
Diet during convalescence – protein
A building block for cell repair, it also provides energy. Overall, it’s a good idea to get about 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein, although these values may be higher under certain conditions. Vegetable proteins, such as beans and nuts, have some advantages over animal proteins, especially if we do not have a lot of appetite. In addition to cell repair properties, plant proteins provide phytochemicals (which can aid healing) and fiber.
Diet during recovery – fruit and vegetables
Eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day is one of the best things you can do for your body. The colorful variety of fruits and vegetables provides a remarkable selection of healing nutrients, including large amounts of vitamins and minerals that can promote physical recovery. For example, vitamin C helps heal wounds, strengthen blood vessels, and prevent infections. Lycopenes – especially powerful antioxidants that strengthen the immune system – are found in tomatoes, apricots, watermelons and pink grapefruits. As a rule, dark fruits and vegetables are richer than light ones in phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Diet during convalescence – supplements
While your doctor can best advise us on what supplements we may need, food is usually the best source of healing nutrients. We know fruits and vegetables are extremely important in preventing each type of cancer, but we’re not sure which ingredients are the most important. In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that taking too many antioxidant supplements (such as vitamins C and E) may weaken rather than boost your immune system.
And while zinc, among other minerals, is crucial for wound healing, taking too much of it can inhibit recovery and even lead to copper deficiency. Foods like beef, peanuts, and lentils are high in zinc and are the best way to get it. One of the supplements worth looking into is a multivitamin. This is a good idea even for healthy people as it is almost impossible to eat a perfectly balanced diet every day.
Physical activity during convalescence
Physical activity has a positive effect on what is known as hemostasis: how chemicals in the blood relate and work together. Exercise also improves the healing of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. For example, physical activity stimulates the formation of collagen, helping to properly heal damaged tissues. In addition, it appears to reduce the formation of excessive scar tissue, known as fibrosis.
Exercise simply helps us heal faster. A 2005 study at Ohio State University in Columbus followed a group of people 55 and older for three months. Everyone got a small wound – the kind you get after removing a mole. Then half of the participants underwent an aerobic exercise program. The results were significant. The average number of days of wound healing in the exercisers was 29. Among people who did not do exercise, the average was 39 days.
Try the Ecological Convalescent Juice that you can buy at Medonet Market.
Content from the site medTvoiLokony they are intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and his doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.