Your joint replacement recovery will be as good as your commitment to staying healthy and following your surgeon’s instructions. In case you needed some incentive, remember that proper recovery can yield decades of pain relief!

Just in case you missed our article to help you determine whether you may be a good candidate for a joint replacement, take a few minutes to check it out. If you’ve had a physician tell you that joint replacement would be a good idea for your case, or if you suspect that you will soon be headed in that direction, you’re probably wondering about the timeline and details of joint replacement recovery.

Obviously, this topic is contingent first on which joint is being replaced. Hips and knees, the body’s largest joints, tend to be some of the most frequently replaced, and they require a more extensive recovery time than smaller joints, such as the shoulder or elbow. But before we get into some specifics, let’s be sure to define the terms.

Joint Replacement: What is It?

During a joint replacement procedure, the pieces of a damaged joint are removed and replaced with prosthetic parts made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. Joint replacement surgeries can be performed on the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow. The prosthesis is designed to replicate the movement of a normal, healthy joint, allowing the patient to return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.

Getting Down to Details: Joint Replacement Recovery

There are few serious or likely complications of joint replacement surgeries and as long as you choose a reputable, qualified orthopaedic surgeon, your procedure should go smoothly and your recovery should be very manageable. Of course, like any surgery, there is some level of pain involved, but patients weighing that short-term pain against a lifetime of chronic joint pain consistently choose surgery over the daily battle with arthritis.

Let’s answer a few commonly asked questions concerning the procedure, the joint replacement recovery and its outcomes:

How Long Will I Be in the Hospital?

In some cases, patients may need to remain in the hospital for 1-2 days following their procedure. However, with continued advancements in surgical precision and patient care, many patients are able to go home the next day!

How Soon After Surgery WIll I Be Able to Use My New Joint?

Your physician will encourage you to begin moving your joint and rebuilding strength right away. As soon as you are able, physical therapy will begin to assist you as you learn to work with your new joint. Your return to more demanding activities, including certain sports, will be closely monitored by your surgeon throughout your joint replacement recovery.

What are the Benefits of Joint Replacement Surgery?

• Minimizes pain and maximizes range of motion
• Increases ability to perform daily activities with ease
• Provides patient with a new, healthy joint that will last for many years to come
• Improves quality of life all around

Questions? Call +254 718 994 368 / 733 994 368 or E-mail: wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke

Pathway International: providing Global healthcare Solutions.

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To start, it’s important to take care of yourself. Look to those around you for help during this time. Talk to your doctor for specific advice or if you have any concerns.

How soon can I return to my regular activities?

After a heart attack, you will want to go back to your regular life. This especially can be true if you spent time in the hospital. However, the answer depends on your normal routine and the condition of your heart. It’s important to start slowly to give your heart a chance to heal. Your doctor will talk to you about when you can be active again and what you should do. Do not return to any kind of exercise without talking to your doctor first. It also is important to sign up for a cardiac rehabilitation program. This monitors your blood pressure, heart rate, and heartbeat as you exercise.

When can I go back to work?

The amount of time you are off from work varies. It depends on your heart health and how active and stressful your job is. You may have to make some changes in how you do your job. Or if work is too hard on your heart, you might have to switch jobs, at least for a short time.

Is it okay to drive?

Most people who have a heart attack can drive again after 1 week. Talk to your doctor about concerns or if you have other conditions that may prevent you from driving safely. If you are a commercial driver, talk to your company before driving again.

Can I have sex?

After having a heart attack, you should wait 2 to 3 weeks before having sex again. As with other types of activity, you may need to start out slow.

Path to improved health

There are steps you can take to recover from a heart attack and preventing another one in the future. This is known as “secondary prevention.” First, make sure you understand your type of heart disease. Your doctor will tell you risk factors and how to help prevent future damage to your heart. Then, follow the tips below for a healthy lifestyle.

•  Stop smoking. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart disease. It damages the walls of the blood vessels. It can prevent blood and oxygen from reaching your heart and other organs. It also can cause blood clots, which may lead to heart attacks. Nicotine, the main chemical in tobacco, raises your blood pressure. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you make a plan to quit. In addition to not smoking, try to avoid secondhand smoke. You can inhale smoke from a burning cigarette or when someone else exhales smoke.
• Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure puts stress on your heart and blood vessels. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your blood pressure. This includes exercising, keeping a diet that is low in salt, and losing weight if you are overweight. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to help control your blood pressure. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders for all medicines.
• Control your cholesterol levels. There are two types of cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are “good” for you. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are “bad” for you. Too much “bad” cholesterol in your blood increases your risk of heart disease. If your LDLs are high, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help lower it. You also should eat a heart-healthy diet and start an exercise program.
• Check for diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that has to do with your insulin hormone levels. You can have Type 1 diabetes if your body doesn’t produce any insulin. You can have Type 2 diabetes if your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it correctly. Having diabetes increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Talk to your doctor about getting screened for diabetes. If you have diabetes, they can help you create a plan to manage your condition.
• Exercise. Regular cardio exercise can make your heart stronger. Examples include walking, jogging, running, bicycling, and swimming. Exercise helps your heart pump blood and deliver oxygen to your body. It can lower your cholesterol level and blood pressure. It also helps relieves stress. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you lose weight. Being overweight is a risk factor of heart disease. Losing just 10% of your body weight can help lower your risk. Talk to your doctor before starting or restarting exercise after a heart attack. They can monitor your activity and keep you on track.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet. The food you eat affects your blood flow. A diet that is high in “bad” fats (saturated and trans fats) can cause buildup (plaque) in your arteries. Plaque slows or prevents blood flow to your heart. Over time, it can block your arteries and can cause a heart attack or heart failure. Add foods to your diet that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat less red meat, and more white meat and fish. Consume fewer high-fat dairy products. Cut down on salt (sodium) and sugar. Avoid fried and processed foods.
• Control your stress level. Heart attacks can be scary and upsetting. Ask your doctor for advice about how to cope with your emotions. Depression and stress can increase your risk of heart disease.

Things to consider

If you have had a heart attack, you are at higher risk of ongoing heart problems. It is important to know the warning signs. Seek emergency medical care if you have critical symptoms. These can occur while you are active or at rest, and include:

• chest pain (angina)
• tightness or pressure in your arms, neck, jaw, or stomach
• shortness of breath
• dizziness, weakness, or fainting
• pale, sweaty skin
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• nausea and/or vomiting
• swelling or pain in your legs
• sudden fatigue.

Questions to ask your doctor

• After a heart attack, what is my risk of having another one?
• What foods are considered to be heart-healthy?
• What are the best ways to stop smoking?
• What are the short- and long-term side effects of cardiac medicines?

Questions? Call +254 718 994 368 / 733 994 368 or E-mail: wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke

PATHWAY INTERNATIONAL: providing Global Healthcare Solutions.

The post Tips for Recovering and Staying Well After a Heart Attack appeared first on Pathway International.

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The success or failure of a kidney transplant relies upon its care after the surgery. The human body has been designed to reject foreign objects in its system. Therefore, proper precautions must be taken to prevent this from happening. Patients that have undergone the transplant require utmost care and attention post surgery in order to ensure that the body does not reject the new organ.

Immediate Care

If there are no other complications, the hospital recovery is generally 5-10 days. The first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery are spent in intensive care units. Here, the doctors monitor the patient’s condition and provide constant care. The next few days maybe spent in hospital care as the patient attempts to walk and adjust to the daily routine. The doctor will provide all necessary instructions, medication, and tests that need to be diligently followed by the patient.

Long Term Care

A dedicated team of doctors will regularly monitor your condition and you will be assigned a transplant coordinator who will be your primary source of long-term contact. For a year after the kidney transplant, you will see your coordinator and doctors on a weekly basis. Gradually you will be transferred under your personal nephrologist. Annual visits to your doctor are mandatory, where your doctor will undertake complete medical checkup and detailed assessment of the functioning of the kidney. Be prepared for a blood test during each visit to your doctor.

Medication

Patients should strictly follow the drugs and medication routine provided by doctors to prevent rejection of the graft kidney. Any side effects or problems arising out of use of these medicines should be immediately reported to the doctor so appropriate modifications can be made. Dosage and type of drugs can vary according to each patient and their body’s reaction to drugs prescribed.

At Home Recovery

At home, recovery is also very crucial to the patient’s well-being. Patients should take a minimum of two to four weeks off of their schedules to make a full recovery. During this time, complete rest and relaxation are advised. The patient should maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and take all precaution to avoid germs. Fast food and unhealthy food items should be eliminated from the patient’s diet for a few months. Hot, home cooked food should be prepared for the patient and vessels should always be washed before serving. The patient along with loved ones should regularly wash their hands and keep the patient’s room fresh and clean at all times.

Patients are advised to avoid crowded public places and limit physical activities. Always apply sunscreen before stepping out and avoid lengthy exposure to direct sunlight. Constantly be in touch with your transplant coordinator and report any discrepancies, no matter how minor. Kidney transplant patients can live a long and healthy life provided proper care is given. Dedication on the part of the patient, his loved ones, and skill of the doctor will ensure a speedy recovery.

Questions? +254 718 994 368 / 733 994 368 or E-mail wecare@pathwayintl.co.ke

Pathway International: your source for Global Healthcare Solutions.

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