Following a serious illness, major operation or accident, it may take some time before you are feeling 100% recovered. The time it takes for a patient to recover from serious illness is different in each case.
There are a number of factors which can affect the expected recovery time of someone who has been ill.
- Length of the illness
- Type of illness
- Severeness of symptoms
- Type of operation
- Amount of weight lost
- Type of physical problems
It is common for people to experience a range of physical and emotional changes which will need to be overcome. Rehabilitation is about coming to terms with your condition and improving your lifestyle choices to encourage a quick recovery.
Discharge from Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Returning home from hospital is an important step on the course of your recovery. It can also be an apprehensive step to take.
Before you are discharged from hospital you may be transferred from the ICU to a ward.
If you have been in an intensive care unit for some time, it can feel as though you are leaving a safe environment. Moving from the ICU to the ward is a different environment to which you are used to.
While you are on the ward you will require a lower level of technical support and observation. You will notice that there are less staff available per patient which can be a big change to adapt to.
You will still be able to call ward staff if you experience difficulties and ICU staff may still visit you occasionally.
Problems with Mobility and Muscle Weakness
Many illnesses can affect your muscle strength and cause your joints to become stiff. This may mean that you are left immobile for a long period following your release from ICU.
After a stay in an intensive care unit, you may have lost weight and strength in your muscles. Physiotherapists can help you to find an exercise programme that is tailor designed to suit your condition.
Following the advice of your physiotherapist can help you to slowly regain your stamina and strength. The process of muscle rehabilitation may be slow, but it is important to persist with your exercising routine. It is common for it to take weeks or months before you feel strong enough to be fully mobile.
Returning to Eating following ICU
Whist you are in an intensive care unit; you may have been fed through a nasogastric tube which enters through the nose. This is monitored by the doctor and dietitian to provide you with the nutrients that you require whist recovering.
There may be a need to continue being fed with a nasogastric tube when you are moved into the ward. Your dietitian and doctor will advise you when they think you are ready to eat for yourself again.
The change from being fed through the tube to eating by mouth may be introduced gradually. Sometimes a patient may be encouraged to eat themselves by day and be fed using the nasogastric tube overnight.
Many patients experience a change in their sense of taste or smell following the release from ICU. Some people may notice a loss in appetite and find foods tasting unpleasant or bland which they previously enjoyed.
There may also be some problems with swallowing or chewing which can make it hard to eat by yourself.
A Changing Appetite and Weight Loss
It is common for patients to experience a loss of appetite following a long stay in hospital following a serious illness. A reduced appetite may lead to weight loss and a lower intake of important foods.
It is important to maintain a healthy diet throughout the recovery period of an illness or operation. Your body will continue to require a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals and will require an increase in calories.
These additional calories can be consumed through nutritional supplements or build-up drinks.
To build up your appetite, you can introduce small nutritious snacks at frequent intervals throughout the day. This will help boost your calorie intake and improve your appetite.
Whilst in hospital, you will be able to discuss your recovery with your dietitian to ensure that your food intake is adequate. You may be advised to consume food which is fortified with additional calories to assist with the rehabilitation process.
When you return home from hospital you need to continue to eat a healthy diet. You will need to monitor your health and weight. If you notice any weight loss, you should consult your GP to get advice. Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian or a nutrition expert to discuss how to improve your eating habits.
Physical Changes
Some people may experience several physical changes following a critical illness or injury. These include:
An altered voice: This is usually because you have been making use of a breathing tube or tracheostomy during your time in hospital. The results may be a weakened or husky voice and a need to clear your throat regularly. These effects should pass over time.
Scars from surgery: You may notice scars due to surgery. This includes scars as a result of the operation, drips or tracheostomy used.
Brittle Hair: Your hair should return to normal as a result of an improved appetite.
Weight loss: Once you begin eating regularly again you should get back any weight lost during your time in hospital.
Poor Eyesight: It is common to experience poor eyesight while recovering from a serious condition. This should return to normal shortly.
Dry Skin: You may experience dry skin as a result of your reduced appetite. Once you regain a normal eating pattern and a balanced diet, your skin should return to normal.
Getting A Good Night Sleep
People have often reported having poor sleeping patterns following a serious illness. Patients in rehabilitation can wake frequently during the night which can be frustrating. Some people experience nightmares or vivid dreams which can impair your sleep.
This may be due to the vulnerability often felt by people following an operation or sickness. Whist you are regaining your normal health, you may experience anxieties or worries about your condition.
Once you start to regain your health and begin to get more active you will start to notice that your sleep will also improve. You may have got out of your regular routine while in hospital and not required much sleep since you are less active.
Emotional Changes
Many patients recovering from serious conditions or injury begin to notice a change in their emotions. People experience moon changes which can go up and down from day to day.
Patients often experience frustration, depression and anxiety. These emotions are understandable as the situation often seems out of your control.
Rehabilitation often includes coming to terms with what you can realistically expect from your recovery. You will need to be honest with your loved ones who may seem over-protective to you.
Memory Problems
It is common for patients to have very little memory of their experience in the intensive care unit. Some people experience nightmares or hallucinations.
This is often as a result of our brains trying to make sense of a traumatic situation.
Some people find that it helps to use a diary to record their experiences to help with memory problems.
Ongoing Support
Once you return home following a serious illness or injury you may require additional support. There are a number of organisations available to offer you assistance with your recovery and rehabilitation.
ASSIST
TEL: 01788 560800
http://www.traumatic-stress.freeserve.co.uk
ASTHMA UK
TEL: 08457 01 02 03
http://asthma.org.uk/
BBC HEALTH
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health
THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Tel: 0845 0708070
http://www.bhf.org.uk/
BRAKE THE ROAD SAFETY CHARITY
Tel: 01484 559983
http://www.brake.org.uk
BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Tel: 0870 443 5252,
www.bacp.co.uk
CITIZENS ADVICE
http://www.citizenadvice.org.uk
THE COLOSTOMY ASSOCIATION
Helpline: 0800 587 6744 or 0800 328 4257
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE HELPLINE
Tel: 0844 477 9400,
http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/
Young person’s helpline: 0808 808 1677
DIABETES UK
http://www.diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes UK Careline: 0845 120 2960,
DIPEX
http://www.dipex.org/intensivecare
HEADWAY (HEAD INJURY SUPPORT)
Freephone: 0808 800 2244
http://www.headway.co.org.uk
ICUSTEPS
Tel: 0870 471 5238,
http://www.icusteps.com
http://www.icnarc.org/patients
THE INTENSIVE CARE SOCIETY
http://www.ics.ac.uk/
MACMILLAN CANCER LINE (FREE)
0808 808 2020
http://www.macmillan.org.uk
MENINGITIS TRUST
Tel: 0800 028 18 28,
http://www.meningitis-trust.org/
NHS DIRECT
Tel: 0845 4647
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
NHS SMOKING HELPLINE
Tel: 0800 169 0169
NICE (NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE)
http://www.nice.org.uk/
PRINCESS ROYAL TRUST FOR CARERS
Tel: 0844 800 4361
http://www.carers.org
SAMARITANS
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
http://www.samaritans.org
SPINAL INJURIES
Freephone Advice Line: 0800 980 0501
http://www.spinal.co.uk/
THE STROKE ASSOCIATION
Tel: 0845 3033 100
http://www.stroke.org.uk/
WINSTONÃS WISH
Tel: 08452 03 04 05
http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/
Nutrition Advice for Rehabilitation and Recovery
Ensuring that your body receives the correct type and amount of nutrition is essential to the rehabilitation process. Your boy’s health is impacted directly by your diet and an improvement in your eating habits can improve the time it takes for you to recover.
When you have returned home from hospital following a serious illness or injury, your diet will help you with the following:
- Boosting the immune system
- Weight management
- Increasing appetite
- Muscle repair and strengthening
The individual requirements of your situation will depend on a number of factors. A nutritionist will be able to offer solutions to help improve the results of your recovery. They will take into account advice from your doctor and dietitian. This also depends on your physical activity, weight, height and medical complications.
Further reading
Read more about rehabilitation after critical illness.