How To Get Rid Of Convalescence

How To Get Rid Of Convalescence

How To Get Rid Of Convalescence

The worst is over and the illness is gone. Well, almost. You still feel groggy. Even if your physician has told you you're cured, you're wondering why you still can't get out of bed. Don't worry, because it's just normal. You're entering the period of convalescence. This is a time of recovery where your body tries to regain all its lost health and strength.

Convalescence starts when the disease symptoms are gone, but the body remains weak and ends when full energy has returned. For some people, convalescence comes and goes quickly, and in a matter of days, they're back on their feet. For others, especially those who battled with very serious illnesses, convalescence takes time.

It can be frustrating when convalescence takes a long time. Thankfully, there are ways on how you can speed up and get rid of this phase.

Convalescence Causes

Before you can fight and overcome convalescence, you must first the cause of its prolonged stay in your system. Convalescence occur because the body needs rest and proper nutrition. When these are inadequate, convalescence takes longer, and the body fails to recover its strength. Too much or lack of activity can also slow the healing process.

People who are always exposed to dampness and cold temperatures can also experience slow convalescence because they are prone to infections. If you want to quicken your convalescence period, make sure you stay away from these conditions.

Doctors also say convalescence is psychologically-related. Frustration and depression can dramatically slow down convalescence. To speed up their recovery, patients are always encouraged to be optimistic through their illness.

Getting Proper Nutrition

The first step in battling convalescence is by altering the diet. The recommended food intake puts very little strain on the body, but also gives optimal nutrition that stimulates appetite. Food should be organic, whole and unprocessed kinds, such as

• whole grains
• brown rice
• unsweetened yogurt
• raw and lightly steamed vegetables (asparagus, peas, cauliflower and mashed potatoes)
• fresh fruits

Protein-rich foods are also recommended, but since meat is not yet advisable, you can turn to vegetables and seafood. Beans, legumes and cold-water fish are appropriate.

Tofu is another great food choice you can get. It can rebuild the body, since it contains many amino acids like meat, but it doesn't give cholesterol or uric acid. Tofu also contains magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium which can help flush out toxins. Lecithin is also found in tofu, and it's very helpful for brain and nerve function.

Sometimes, people going through convalescence lose their appetite and energy to eat whole foodstuff. If this happens, then fruit and vegetable juices can be ingested. They allow easier digestion, while giving concentrated nutrients to the body. Helpful and healthy juices recovering individuals can drink include:

• Spinach juice – It's rich in iron, which rebuilds blood after the illness. It also has vitamin K, which is helpful in blood clotting. Spinach juice also contains vitamins and minerals.
• Carrot juice – It fights infection, but is very mild for digestion.
• Red beet juice – This is iron-rich and helps rebuild hemoglobin.
• Black currant juice – It stimulates appetite during convalescence and contains bioflavonoid and vitamin C which can rebuild collagen.

Supplements Help

Supplements can help return the nutrients that are missing from the body as a result of a long or intense illness. While they cannot replace real foods and adequate rest and fresh air, they can speed recovery significantly.

• Multivitamins bring back vitamins and minerals. Find one with additional zinc and vitamin C, to better protect the immune system.
• Royal jelly and bee pollen are also recommended because they have many essential nutrients and trace elements that build constitution. These also create energy and combat fatigue.
• Green food concentrates, such as wheatgrass and barley grass, are also helpful for the immune system. The chlorophyll they contain renews cells and builds the blood.

Turn To Herbal Remedies

There are also herbal medicines that you can use. If combined with proper diet, and rest, they can fasten the pace of convalescence.

• Wormwood, centaury, gentian, calamus or angelica herbs work well to stimulating appetite and are usually ingested as herbal tea combinations. Drink it ½ or 1 hour before any meal.
• Dong quai root also stimulates appetite. It also clears liver stagnation. Women who are weakened by childbirth also take it as a tonic after the operation, to replenish strength.
• For anesthetic gases that cause fatigue and muscle pain, calendula is an effective herbal solution.
• Goldenseal and echinacea are efficient in blood detoxification after anesthesia. They also help prevent wound infections.
• If you have a surgical wound, apply aloe vera gel, comfrey, horsetail or St. John's wort oil on it so it won't scar.

Adequate Rest and Proper Hygiene

Medications, food and food supplements will all be useless if you still don't get proper rest. Remember, sleep and relaxation are always good for the body. Combine these with proper personal hygiene, and your convalescence period will pass ou'll really stay sick. You can also re-examine your values and goals. This will help you heal faster.

Healing always takes time, but it doesn't have to take very long. If you're in the period of convalescence, keep your head up and follow these suggestions. Before you know it, you'll be healthy again.

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