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Common physical issues

In this section, we've provided some general information and advice on some of the common physical issues you may face after getting home. These commonly include general weakness, tiredness, difficulty getting around (mobility), poor appetite and difficulty putting on weight.Not everyone is affected by these issues, though. Everyone is different, and it can very much depend on how fit and healthy you were before you ended up in Intensive Care and how long you were there for.

 

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External Video: How do I increase the amount of activity I'm doing

Video length: 05:26 (Watch now or tap the button above to add this resource to your personal library to watch later) This short clip will explain how you can start building up your activity and exercises levels. For some people returning to normal activities may take a few weeks while others it can take months and even over a year. The important thing is to listen to your body and go at the right pace for you. This clip should help you understand how to do this. If you're struggling...

Article: Joint stiffness and pain

Patients sometimes suffer from stiff and painful joints after Intensive Care, particularly in the ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders.This can make it difficult to do simple things like getting out of bed, walking around the ward or washing and showering. Why do I have joint stiffness or pain? Patients who have spent longer in Intensive Care seem to be at greater risk of developing joint stiffness and pain. Joint stiffness and pain can be due to several things but is most...

Web Link: Loss of sense of smell & taste: link to Fifth Sense UK (website)

Loss of sense of smell and taste is common after Intensive Care, and after COVID-19. This link will take you to the website of Fifth Sense, a UK-based charity who provide information, advice and support for smell and taste disorders. Resources include other people's stories, smell training to help you regain your sense of smell, recipes, online support sessions with specialists, and links to smell and taste clinics (England only). We hope you find it helpful.

Web Link: Loss of sense of smell: link to ENT UK

This link will take you to ENT UK, and their web page on "anosmia", the technical term for the partial or complete loss of your sense of smell. Loss of your sense of smell (a common symptom of COVID) can have a real impact on your appetite and enjoyment of food. This can be a real issue for some people, especially if you have already lost a lot of weight after Intensive Care and/or if you are having problems swallowing. ENT UK report that for many patients, their sense of smell...

Web Link: Loss of sense of smell: link to Nosewell

This link will take you to Nosewell (with support from the British Rhinological Society) and their excellent webpages on the loss of smell after COVID-19. Their guide aims to help you understand more about the loss of your sense of smell. There are also links to Facebook groups, a patient forum, a self-assessment guide, some videos and top tips for managing your loss of sense of smell, and a guide on retraining your sense of smell.

Article: Mobility issues after getting home

Patients sometimes tell us that they continue to have problems getting around after they get home. This can happen as a result or a combination of many things; muscle wasting, general weakness, fatigue, joint pain and stiffness or issues with balance. Some people also tell us that they lose their confidence a little, in the first few days of getting home.

Article: Numbness and "pins and needles"

Is it common to have numbness and pins and needles after Intensive Care? Patients sometimes experience numbness and or pins and needles in their fingers and hands, which can lead to difficulty with everyday things like grip.Others experience numbness and or pins and needles in their feet, which can interfere with balance and mobility. Why do I have numbness and pins and needles? These symptoms are sometimes called "critical illness neuropathy" or "critical illness...

External Video: Nutritional advice

In this video, Judith talks about her role as a dietitian in Intensive Care. She talks about the nutritional issues patients commonly face after Intensive Care, and offers some advice for patients and family members to help the recovery process along.

Web Link: Pain support

This link will take you to painconcern.org.uk. It's a really helpful website, providing information about different types of pain and how to deal with it. There are free booklets to download, a helpline, videos to help you manage your pain, podcasts (voicefiles) from other people, and an online chatroom. We hope you find it helpful.Please consult your doctor in the first instance.

Web Link: Shoulder pain, and exercises that might help

It's not uncommon to experience some shoulder stiffness, and sometimes pain, after Intensive Care. This is often because the shoulder joint has not been moving much while you or your family member was very unwell, so the joint becomes stiff. This link will take you to an NHS webpage, with some simple exercises that you can try.