Feel Like Yourself Again: how to heal and recover from injury, surgery and illness

How To Better Recover From Surgery

---

The good news is new research sheds light on the best ways to bounce back stronger. Here are science-backed answers to four common questions that will help you do just that. Water helps keep your blood flowing, carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells and protects your joints. As your body recovers from an illness or injury, it sends water and nutrients to that location. In addition to drinking water, food choices can account for approximately 20 percent of your daily fluid intake.

According to a UK survey supported by Abbott and The Patient Association, three-quarters of people over age 65 who were recovering from a health event were not given any nutrition support while in the hospital or after discharge. Your muscles are a critical source for strength and energy as you recover.

Got to keep moving even if it is just small things in the beginning. Just know that you are not alone.

So good that there are good informative websites like this one and give as many links out as you can. My Prayer for Everyone to have Understanding and Caring around them. Told very high probability CTE stage 3. There are only 4. Seen my father in law die from alzimers. I know people try to b encouraging by saying u look good, or ur eating today or what ever.

And to some point they r right. I do but not like I used to. I avoid people and conversations at all cost.

My marriage has suffered greatly. Think she takes it personally. I spend most of my time alone. I like it like that. I live on boarder of state forest and the animals have become my friends. I feed them every day. They wait for me to get up and come home from work. I love my raccoons. They come up and take food from my hands and just sit next to me and eat. One just held my hand last nite. It made me happy when not much else does.

The only good thing about this is that I told a few of my family members and we have gotten closer and spend much more time together. I hide it the best I can. I average 2 concussions a year and they just right it off to that. As long as I can compete on a high level to do so. It keeps me going. Something I look forward to. I get evaluated every off season. C what this off season brings. Idk what my point was.

I guess maybe to try to reconnect with family. My husband had a very bad stroke 4 years ago, unable to use his left leg and arm couldn't walk and it also affected his brain and one eye is blind. He is not able to walk and do things but right now he struggles with understand, trips because he doesn't lift his leg high enough and falls down a lot. I have taken care of everything for years and I am finding myself getting so frustrated with him all the time. I've confessed that to him and I know he cannot help it. I would like some advice as my emotions are getting the best of me.

I no longer work and trying to stay on top of everything but I can see so much of it falls my the wayside it gets harder and harder to keep a positive attitude and keep going. In my 20 year old daughter was in a bad car accident, that left her with a brain injury. In the beginning I was still working and then had to go home and take care after my daughter. After my daughter accident I decided to become a Home Care Worker. My daughter had recieved a regular Home care Worker each day while I worked. Paid by the Government. This was a huge help for me. Even if you are not working.

You still need a break. Check with Social Services in your area and see what help you can find to give you relief and comfort. So true I suffer from both TBI and PTSD as a result of post concussion disorder, several tragedy's I struggle every day since put on social security disability, I love to work I loved to be a carpenter or did I now sit in my make shift shop trying to build bird houses.

I also enjoyed working, loved my job! Would give almost anything to be back. My mind is still there. I just have a difficult time bringing it out. My 57 yr old father suffered a giant Subarachnoid Hemorrhage on Feb 11th and survived. The damage is severe and has caused cognitive and physical disabilities. He Remains in the hospital. I am his only child, he has no spouse and the limited neuro-rehabilitation facilities have denied him access to their care.

I feel that the progress he has made so far is incredible, compared to the grim prognosis I was first given. I will not give up advocating his rights and will continue to provide him with love, patience and respect throughout this journey. ABI needs more awarness and hospital staff needs to be educated on the different care needs of this population. Still needing help for my son 43,before wreak and what they called small brain bleed, has changed him,it's scary to watch my son go from loving husband and father to sometimes a stranger, his thoughts are not right, he was a hard worker now can't hold a job because he thinks people there are not who they are,says Mom I see what there doing, their trying to put spells on me,talking witchcraft and spaceships.

Please give us some kind of help, neuro doctor saying he is physio, now that's not my son. No one is helping us. My son got what the doctor said was a small brain bleed, but he isn't the same, wife can't understand she says it's all in his head,but he can't work has strange thoughts, really strange, it's scary, he isn't my son,thinking he see the same people everywhere, doesn't like to go to stores,even has his 15 yr old scared of him. What could be going on, Can't get him help. What a great and complete article to refer to regularly. Social success is probably the hardest issue in a recovery.

Hi, my son wrecked a motorcycle in He wasn't expected to live 3 days. His brain was bleeding everywhere and nothing the Drs. A lot of prayers and we have been home 2 yrs. He has a gap where he remembers some things and not others. He doesn't remember 12 grade or graduation and is stuck at age 17 most the time but remembers working. He has a lot of anger and anxiety. Any ideas on how I help him I feel lost an alone in this and I know he's hurting.

I am here if you need to vent. My husband was in a T Toyota Truck and hit a tree. Amazing how some of my family think he is "faking it". I know how it is to loose ur memory. They say CTE stage 3. Frustration brings in anger. Remembering what u used to b able to do is hard to deal with. I find lithium carbonate helps me with anger and suicidal thoughts. I go to a support group.

He may resist the idea. Know what pushes his buttons. Make sure he gets rest if u can. He needs quiet time. Brain still process info even when ur sleeping. It needs his rest. We like to talk sometimes but listening to long drawn out conversations wear us down. Keep it to the point or u will loose him 1 minute into the conversation. She will say, when with me, remember All very naturally without pressure. She basically tells me a story but does it in such a way as to bring me into the conversation. When we are in a group and she realizes I may not remember she does the same thing bringing everyone along so they all add detail.

The worst thing to do is put pressure on, expecting him to know or be anything specific. One thing we do get easily is how frustrated others are with us and our frustration is nearly overwhelming so adding yours is just too much. The same with expectations. Have some for us but keep them at a level we can handle then feel good about doing well. We need the positive feelings of accomplishments much more because of the constant failures.

My son was in a car accident when he was 17 also he was in the back seat and I didn't have a seatbelt on so he was thrown 35 feet from the vehicle. Actually he lost two and a half years of his life that he does not recall! My son will not accept that he has a disability which makes it hard for him to find a job ,I also understand you saying you feel lost I do two at times too. Never never never give up hope. I tell my 21 year old son as often as possible if God didn't think he could go through this he wouldn't be with us.

Lord has a plan for everyone. Hello Kathy, I just read your comment. The only thing I can think to say is to Google search to see if there's a group meeting for caregivers of of people with similar injuries in your area. There are groups on Facebook as well. I hope that can help you.

Join the Discussion

I had my tbi in March of The last 5 years are a blur. All I did was cry and carry on for the first few years. I refused to take any prescription meds. I want to fix my problem. I have short term n long term memory loss. Talking with long time friends and family is like therapy for me. It helps me remember things.

Writing things down help me a lot. I always was a wine lover but it completely exacerbates my brain fog. My boyfriend is my only daily support. From the outside, everything looks perfect, but my head is a complete mess.

My neurologist prescribed me adderall. The first time I took it, I fell asleep!!!! I can push myself now I definetly suffer ed from some type of chronic fatigue as well. I would have to take breaks as I got dressed in the morning. I would drop my children off at school and go home and take a nap and go in work late every day, Thank God I had a job that allowed me to do that. At one point, I thought I had MS. I increased my magnesium, added amino acids, cbd oil and MCT oil to my diet and that helped tremendously. Good Fat is awesome for your brain. I am finally on a gym schedule that I stick too.

That has definetly helped in the happy department. I have recently tried thc oil.

Comments (679)

I was always creative and funny. I feel so DULL now. Thank you for taking the time to write this. I hope each year life gets better and better for you. My son had a severe TBI at age His frontal lobe was most affected in 3 areas. Also there was some parietal and temporal lobe damage as well. I wish I had read your post 7 years ago, instead of slowly realizing over years that there are things about him, I cannot change or help him to do better.

His personality is the hardest struggle to live with. Healing is my specialty. The first physiatrists helped injured World War II soldiers.

How To Better Recovery After Surgery

Modern-day physiatrists treat people with a variety of serious illnesses and injuries, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, and lower-back problems. Two words summarize what we do: When you click on your state, you will see a list of doctors to choose from.

Your body will work hard on its own to help you recover—even if you do little to help the process along. Thousands of chemical and biological reactions occur throughout the day and night to help you to heal. Other blood cells called monocytes transform themselves into scavengers macrophages , to engulf and devour dead tissue and help to control inflammation. If you break a bone, bone cells called osteoblasts kick into action to knit the rough edges back together. And cell damage caused by illness—or by harsh therapies, in the case of cancer, hepatitis, and other diseases—gets mended by the same hordes of microscopic miracle workers.

There are so many cells assisting us in healing that we could never count them all. But even though these processes are involuntary and automatic, there are things smart patients can do to speed and strengthen their recovery. The best healing occurs when you are able to optimize your immune system to avoid infections; encourage the healing of skin, bones, muscles, nerves, and tendons; and build strength and endurance. In my practice, I have developed an eight-part strategy to put patients on the path to optimal healing.

And at the heart of this strategy are three fundamentals: We physiatrists have a saying: I vividly recall the day the surgeon came into the exam room with tears in her eyes. I wanted her to say what other doctors had told me in the past: I can still feel the overwhelming sadness and pure heartache of that day. The surgery and chemotherapy were grueling, as I knew they would be. I also knew that the end of treatment would be only the beginning of getting well. I had helped many people with all kinds of illnesses heal; now I needed to help myself.

Like most people struggling with serious illness, I lost my appetite, slept fitfully, and became less physically active. From a human standpoint, this was perfectly understandable. But from the standpoint of a body trying to heal, it was a disaster. Skipping meals saves time in the short run. But in the long run, it can delay healing and hinder your return to health. I call inadequate nutrition, lousy sleep patterns, and physical deconditioning the Triple Threat to optimal healing. I knew the Triple Threat was keeping me from healing optimally, and I needed a plan to combat it.

The answer seemed simple: For me, the trick came from having learned not only what to do but why and how it all works to accelerate healing in the body. When I acted on this knowledge, I got results, and I know you can, too. We often read about how to eat to avoid disease. But once you get sick, there are also foods that will help you get better. For example, skin and bones need vitamin A to repair themselves. Vitamin C is crucial to the formation of collagen, the main protein of our connective tissue.

Bromelain, a mixture of enzymes found in fresh pineapple, reduces swelling, bruising, and pain, and it improves healing time following trauma or surgery. And adequate protein is absolutely essential for optimal healing. When people are healthy, they often get away with bad dietary habits.

Skipping breakfast and using coffee as a pick-me-up might have worked fine for you in the past. I tell my patients to eat five times a day: This helps prevent severe drops in blood sugar levels that can leave you fatigued. A registered dietitian can be helpful for patients who need to gain or lose weight, or who have other specific needs. So what are the best eating habits for optimal healing? Some will sound familiar, while others may surprise you.

Carbohydrates These compounds provide ready energy, and they are crucial to a healing diet.

Surgery, Depression, And Anxiety

All carbohydrates are broken down into sugar when digested, 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 a carb breaks down, the less likely it is to cause a blood sugar spike.

How Our Helpline Works

A measure called the glycemic index indicates how fast the body converts a food into sugar. As much as possible, stick with complex carbohydrates and other foods that have a relatively low glycemic index below One reliable source of this information is www. Protein The building block of cell repair, protein gives you energy, as well.

If your body has undergone extensive cellular injury, talk to your doctor about what your protein needs are.

• Maerchen und Sagen (German Edition)
• The Spy
• Der son cubano. Seine Charakteristik und Rolle als transkulturelles Element im musikgeschichtlichen Kontext Kubas (German Edition)
• White Space Van Man
• Beneficial Organisms in Agriculture, Food and the Environment: Safety Assessment and Regulation
• My ouma in kaneel (Afrikaans Edition)
• The Amish Language for the English