After illness or surgery, returning to physical activity can be a key part of recovery. However, this return must be carefully tailored to each individual to avoid complications and promote optimal recovery.
- Physical exercise helps with recovery after illness or surgery, but must be tailored to each patient.
- Exercise programs should be disease-specific to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
- Support from healthcare professionals is crucial to ensure a safe return to physical activity.
Physical exercise plays a fundamental role in recovery after hospitalization, whether for an acute illness, surgery, or chronic disease. Resuming appropriate physical activity helps restore muscle strength, improve mobility, and prevent complications related to prolonged immobility, such as thrombosis or loss of muscle mass.
Additionally, exercise helps improve blood circulation, promote better tissue oxygenation, and boost the immune system, thereby speeding up the healing process. For patients who have undergone surgery, for example, gentle, progressive exercise can help reduce postoperative pain, improve respiratory function, and prevent adhesions and pulmonary complications.
However, it is crucial that these exercises are adapted to the health condition of each patient. Resuming too quickly or too intensely can lead to complications, which is why it is essential to follow the recommendations of health professionals and listen to your body.
Physical exercise programs adapted to different pathologies
Exercise programs should be specifically designed based on patients’ individual pathologies and needs. For example, for patients with cardiovascular disease, moderate endurance exercises, such as walking or cycling, can be introduced gradually to strengthen the heart and improve blood circulation without putting the patient at risk.
For people in remission from cancer, physical activity can help reduce fatigue, improve mood, and decrease side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy. Programs for these patients may include resistance exercises to build muscle mass, as well as gentle aerobic activities to improve endurance without exhausting the patient.
In all cases, it is essential to take into account the physical and psychological limits of patients. Exercises must be progressive and adapted in intensity, duration, and frequency, to avoid any physical or mental overload. Health professionals, such as physiotherapists or physical therapists, play a key role in developing these programs and in supporting patients throughout their recovery.
Precautions and role of health professionals in the resumption of physical activity
Resuming physical activity after illness or hospitalization requires specific precautions to avoid complications and overexertion. It is important to start slowly, with light exercises, and gradually increase the intensity and duration according to the patient’s tolerance.
Healthcare professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, and physical therapists, play a crucial role in supporting patients. They assess the patient’s overall health, monitor for signs of fatigue or pain, and adjust exercise programs accordingly. They are also able to detect any potential complications and provide personalized advice for optimal recovery.
Regular monitoring by these professionals helps ensure that physical exercise is beneficial and does not expose the patient to unnecessary risks. Their expertise is essential to guide the patient towards a gradual resumption of physical activity, adapted to their abilities and state of health.
Physical exercise is a valuable ally in recovery from illness or hospitalization, but it must be approached with caution and under the supervision of health professionals. The benefits are numerous, both physically and mentally, but the key to success lies in a progressive approach, adapted to individual needs. With appropriate medical support, physical activity can help patients regain strength, mobility, and well-being, while minimizing the risk of complications.
