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How To Heal Faster After a C-Section

A cesarean section (C-section) is a common and sometimes lifesaving procedure for both mother and baby. The surgery requires the pregnant mother to be under anesthesia while a surgeon makes an incision in the mother’s lower abdomen to safely retrieve the baby from her belly. Every C-section is different but healing time after a C-section generally takes anywhere from 4-6 weeks. If there is a problem with the surgery or the mother develops an infection post-op, then healing can take longer. To speed up recovery from C-section surgery, new mothers can practice proper wound care, nutrition, and other lifestyle choices that will aid in her recovery.

9 Tips for How To Heal Faster After a C-Section

1. Rest

Sleep is vital to recovering after surgery. Your body does most of its repair work during sleep including fighting off infections, repairing skin cells, and building new skin tissue. Ask your friends and family to help take care of your newborn when you are recovering from your C-section surgery. Sleep whenever you can and avoid doing strenuous activities. Getting plenty of rest is key to an easier recovery.

2. Pain Relief

You shouldn’t be expected to suffer in silence. If you are having trouble managing your pain, have your doctor prescribe pain relievers. Should pain relief medication not work for you, contact your doctor. They may be able to get to the root of your pain and provide a more effective alternative.

3. Wound Care

Your doctor or midwife should give you tips on how to best care for your incision wound after C-section. Generally, wounds should be cleaned and dried every day to help prevent infection. Wear loose clothing so as not to restrict blood flow to your healing wound. Check regularly for signs of infection such as red streaks coming from the incision, inflamed skin tissue accompanied by a painful, burning, and itching sensation at the wound site.

4. Nutrition

Wound care recovery starts from the inside. When you feed your body properly, it will have the energy it needs to repair itself. Be sure to eat plenty of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats. Hydration is equally important. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and electrolytes throughout your entire recovery process.

5. Supplements

Vitamin supplements will provide you with the necessary nutrients your body needs for recovery. Diet alone is not always the best way to obtain the essential vitamins and minerals you need, especially if you have less of an appetite after surgery. WoundVite from Zen Nutrients is an all-in-one dietary supplement that contains 21 of the most important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for wound recovery. The unique all natural formula was co-created by licensed Tampa Bay based pharmacist, Devan Patel, along with other leading industry physicians. WoundVite was formulated specifically to aid post-op patients recover more quickly from their surgeries.

6. Go For Walks

Although you should be careful of how much exercise you get during recovery, you will need to do some form of regular movement to prevent blood clots and other heart vessel issues. Walking is a low intensity workout that gets the blood and oxygen flowing through your body. Regular blood flow and oxygen will increase your body’s ability to heal faster.

7. Prevent Constipation

Constipation after a C-section can happen due to hormonal shifts, weaker stomach muscles, and inactivity. Constipation can be painful and straining too hard can prevent the C-section incision from healing. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and taking a stool softener to prevent strained bowel movements.

8. Don’t Skip Postpartum Checkups

The 12 weeks after a baby is born is sometimes referred to as the 4th trimester. You should visit your doctor or OBGYN no later than 3 weeks after giving birth. During your checkup your doctor will discuss your physical recovery, mental health, how well you’re sleeping, your baby’s health, and how you’re managing pregnancy related problems like high blood pressure. It’s important not to skip your doctor’s appointments so he or she can give you the best possible care.

9. Know When to Seek Medical Advice

After every surgery there is always the risk of complications. Proper post-op care can help to prevent complications such as infections, but there is still a chance you may experience problems. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care;

Severe pain
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Leaking urine
Painful or swollen wound
Discharge of pus or foul-smelling fluid coming from wound
Swelling or pain in your lower leg
Cough or shortness of breath

Experiencing any of these symptoms could be a sign of an infection or blood clot.

In Summary

A C-section operation is common, but a different experience for every woman. Proper wound care, nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes will help to heal C-section incisions more quickly. Preventative care will reduce your risk of serious complications, but should you experience unusual symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately

How To Heal Faster After Achilles Tendon Surgery

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. You use your Achilles tendon to run, walk, jump, and move your foot in every direction. An injury to your Achilles tendon is painful and can be a long healing process to full recovery. A common Achilles injury is Tendonitis, which causes pain and discomfort but no real damage to the tendon. Tendonitis usually gets better on its own after a few weeks of icing and rest. More serious damage to the tendon, such as a rupture, can require a much longer recovery time. Achilles’ tendon surgery is not always necessary and typically only performed as a last resort. Should you need to undergo surgery for your injury, the healing process can be lengthy and may involve rehabilitation. A faster recovery time will depend on the seriousness of your injury and how well you care for yourself post-surgery.

Post-Surgery Incision Care

Achilles’ tendon surgery involves making a small incision in the back of your leg to repair the damaged tendon. After surgery, you should expect your lower leg and ankle to be swollen. You may experience numbness around the incision site on the back of your leg and your ankle and shin may be bruised. Icing and elevating your foot will help to reduce swelling and bruising. If you have a bandage over your incision, be sure to keep it clean and dry to prevent infection. Leave the bandage on until your doctor tells you it’s okay to remove it. If you have a splint or cast, you’ll likely be wearing it for 6-12 weeks after surgery. It’s important to keep your cast clean and dry. Moisture is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can cause infection. If you don’t take proper care of your cast, your incision could become infected and cause complications in recovery.

Diet and Nutrition

After surgery, you should be able to return to your normal diet. For a faster recovery, stick to a nutritious diet including fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. These foods contain the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to repair itself more quickly. Your body uses these nutrients to rebuild skin tissue, repair tendons, and fight off infection at the incision site. Without proper nutrition, your body is not as efficient at healing itself. Dietary supplements can aid in providing the nutrients you need to heal when a balanced diet isn’t possible. WoundVite is an all-in-one dietary supplement that contains 21 different essential vitamins, minerals, and supplements that are proven to aid in wound healing. WoundVite was formulated by Tampa Bay based veteran pharmacist, Devan Patel, and a group of industry leading wound care physicians. The unique formula is backed by science to provide the best, natural healing benefits to patients recovering from surgery. With adequate nutrition, your body can heal itself faster and more efficiently.

Exercise

Although it generally takes about 4-6 months until you can resume your normal physical activities, rehab exercise is an important step in Achilles’ tendon surgery recovery. Rehab exercises will help you to regain flexibility in your foot. They can also help keep scar tissue from hardening around the tendon. Your doctor will likely refer you to a rehab program 2 weeks post-surgery. By week 4 you may be able to bear weight on your foot and practice walking normally with the help of a physical therapist. Learning how to walk again normally is an important part of your recovery process. But don’t jump the gun and try to do too much, too soon. Listen to your doctor and follow his or her instructions for when you can resume normal activity. You don’t want to risk potentially injuring your foot even more and causing more damage to your Achilles tendon. Be patient and follow your doctor’s orders as instructed.

In Summary

Injuring your Achilles tendon is painful and can sometimes require surgery. Full recovery from Achilles’ tendon surgery can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months, though every surgery is different. You may be able to speed up your recovery time by taking proper care of your injury and feeding your body the nutrients it needs to repair itself. Dietary supplements can be taken to speed up wound healing as well. Rehabilitation exercises may be key to normal foot function post-surgery and should be done according to your doctor’s orders. With time, patience, rest, and a little bit of self-care, you can make the healing process much easier after your Achilles tendon surgery.

How To Heal Faster After a Rhinoplasty?

Cosmetic surgery in the US is now more common than ever. Changing beauty standards along with more advanced surgery techniques that ensure better results are among the many reasons Americans undergo cosmetic surgery. Rhinoplasty is a common cosmetic surgery that involves reconstructing one’s nose shape. Recovery from rhinoplasty can be lengthy. In general, it can take 12-18 months to see the final result and improvement of reconstructive nose surgery. To ensure you are healing properly, it’s important to practice proper post-op wound care. Keep reading for 10 tips on how to heal faster after a rhinoplasty procedure.

10 Tips To Heal Faster After a Rhinoplasty

1. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

First and foremost, you should always listen to your doctor or surgeon. The doctor or surgeon who performed your rhinoplasty should give you a post-op recovery checklist of how you should properly care for your nose. Follow your doctor’s orders as described, they know how best to care for you.

2. Reduce Swelling

It’s important to ice your wound for the first three days after your procedure. A bag of frozen peas (or ice pack designed for wound care) applied to your eyes and cheek area will be most effective for reducing swelling and bruising. Placing frozen peas or an ice pack over your cheeks and under eye area (where most swelling and bruising occurs) will cause the blood vessels to constrict, which will reduce swelling. Less swelling will enable your nose to heal faster.

3. Nutrition

Following a healthy diet full of whole foods such as fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and protein will provide your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to repair itself. Proper nutrients will help your body fight off infection and build and repair skin tissue faster. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids as hydrated skin heals faster and lessens the appearance of scar tissue.

4. Supplements

Dietary supplements are helpful for those who have difficulties getting proper nutrition through their diet. WoundVite is an all-in-one dietary supplement co-formulated by Tampa Bay veteran pharmacist, Devan Patel, and other leading industry wound care physicians. The supplements unique 21 ingredient formula was created specifically to aid post-op patients in their wound care recovery. All 21 vitamins, minerals, and supplements are backed by science for their wound healing properties. Regular supplement intake will ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need to speed up the healing process.

5. Rest

Getting plenty of rest is essential to your rhinoplasty recovery. When you sleep, your body can put forth all its focus to repairing damaged tissue. Sleep, followed by plenty of rest will ensure your body has the energy to continue healing. Make sure to schedule time off work and take a break from your usually hectic routine post-op.

6. Don’t Eat Spicy Foods

You should avoid anything that might cause irritation to your nose or nasal passage for at least three weeks after your rhinoplasty. Any irritation could cause complications and impede your recovery. Spices such as cayenne pepper can irritate your sinuses and cause more swelling. Avoid spicy foods and stick to blander, less irritation food choices.

7. Don’t Smoke

If you’re a smoker, you should stop two weeks before your surgery and at least two weeks after. The nicotine in cigarettes limits blood flow and can interfere with your body’s recovery. Plus, the smell of smoke may be irritating to your nasal passage, which will further impede your healing.

8. Keep Your Head Elevated

Keeping your head elevated while you sleep can limit the amount of bruising and swelling that occurs 1-3 weeks post rhinoplasty. Propping your head up at night will keep the blood flow moving away from your nose and drain any other fluids associated with healing.

9. Stay Out of the Sun

You should avoid getting too much sun on your face while healing from rhinoplasty. UV rays are harmful to new skin tissue and can permanently darken scars. Be sure to wear plenty of sunblock and wear sun hats to protect your skin from the sun.

10. Don’t Skip Post-Op Appointments

Your doctor schedules post-op appointments for a reason. Don’t miss these scheduled appointments, even if you think you’re healing okay. Your doctor or surgeon needs to be able to monitor your recovery and ensure you’re healing properly. Missing an appointment could mean missing a chance to spot a problem, which can set your recovery time back even farther.

The Takeaway

Rhinoplasty is a common procedure with a lengthy full recovery time. However, following proper post-op instructions and taking certain precautions can help to speed up healing. Proper nutrition and supplements play a major role in recovery, as does careful attention to doctor’s orders. Taking the time to heal properly is the key to your desired rhinoplasty results.

How To Heal Faster After Foot Surgery

Your feet are vital to your everyday routine. You require them to walk, run, stand, dance, and get from place to place. Feet are composed of small bones, joints, tendons, muscles, and plenty of soft tissues. Any injury to part of your foot can be painful and impede your everyday life. When foot injuries require surgery, your life will be impacted for an even greater amount of time during recovery. Though every foot surgery is different, there are steps you can take to heal from your foot surgery faster and get back to your normal activities.

5 Ways To Heal Faster After Foot Surgery

1. Keep Your Foot Elevated and Iced

Elevate your foot when resting to help with pain and swelling. Keeping your foot above hip level will help to bring blood away from the injury and reduce pressure and lessen pain. It’s crucial to follow this step for at least a week following surgery. You should also be sure to ice your foot throughout the day to further reduce bruising and swelling. Ice packs, cold compresses, or even bags of frozen peas should be applied to the injury site for at least 10 minutes at a time several times throughout the day.

2. Nutrition

Proper nutrition is necessary to keep your body functioning properly. Your body needs the right essential vitamins and minerals to repair and build skin tissue, build bone and muscle, and fight off infections. A healthy diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats is the best diet for healing. In addition, dietary supplements can boost your nutrient intake and provide an easier way to obtain the essential vitamins and minerals. Woundvite is a dietary supplement specifically formulated to aid in wound healing and post-surgery recovery. Devan Patel, a veteran pharmacist from Tampa Bay, co-formulated WoundVite with the help of other leading wound care physicians to provide a natural healing remedy for wounds and injuries. WoundVite’s natural ingredients contain 21 vitamins, minerals, and supplements that are scientifically backed to heal wounds and injuries faster after surgery.

3. Stay Off Your Feet

While staying off your feet may sound like common sense advice, it’s easier said than done. It can be incredibly difficult for post foot surgery patients to stay put. Not being able to walk or bear weight on your feet is frustrating but doing so before you’re healed will only impede your recovery. Follow your doctor or surgeon’s orders about bearing weight on your feet after surgery. If they suggest you use crutches or a wheelchair, use crutches or a wheelchair. Don’t try to walk unassisted until your doctor or surgeon gives you the go-ahead to do so.

4. Clean Your Cast Regularly and Watch for Infection

Your foot surgery may require you to wear a cast for quite some time. Soiled casts can become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria that cause infection. Cover your cast when showering to avoid getting it wet. If your cast does get wet, use a blow dryer to dry it out immediately. Harmful bacteria thrive in moist conditions, such as a wet cast. Keep an eye out for signs of infection on your injured foot. This may be more difficult to spot if your foot is in a cast, but should you see red streaks coming from the wound site, feel more intense pain, pressure, or feel a burning sensation, contact your doctor immediately. These may all be signs of an infection and not treating it in a timely manner can lead to complications.

5. Rest

Adequate sleep and rest are one of the most important factors in foot surgery recovery. Your body cannot properly function or repair itself without adequate energy. Make sure you are taking time to relax and allow your body to heal itself. Schedule time off work and refrain from participating in strenuous or stressful activities for at least a few weeks after surgery.

Summary

Painful foot injuries are irritating and cause disruption to our everyday lives. For foot injuries that require surgery, recovery time increases drastically, meaning even more disruption to your life. Healing from foot surgery will vary depending on the type and severity of your foot injury. However, there are some things you can do to heal faster from your foot surgery including proper nutrition and vitamin intake, plenty of rest, wound care routines, and staying off your feet. Always remember to follow your doctor’s orders as they know best how to take care of you. By being proactive about your foot surgery recovery, you can heal your injury faster and get back to your normal routine.

Can Running Cause Nerve Damage?

Running is a great form of cardio that strengthens your heart, muscles, and improves your overall well-being. Numerous studies have proven the health benefits of pounding the pavement, including living a longer life. However, too much of a good thing is always possible, even when it comes to running. Running too much and too often can have ill health benefits on your body including injury and oxidative stress.

How Does Running Cause Nerve Damage?

Oxidative stress occurs when your body becomes depleted of antioxidants to fight off free radicals. These free radicals’ build-up and bind with cholesterol to fill your arteries with harmful plaque that can cause heart disease and damage your cells and nerves. Nerve damage is sometimes irreversible, depending on the cause. Symptoms of nerve damage from running can include:

A “pins and needles” like sensation that feels like a tingling or burning often along your hands, feet, and legs. You may even feel a slight burning feeling along with the tingling sensation.
Numbness or loss of feeling in one or more of your body parts, typically the lower extremities, like your legs and feet.
Recurrent muscle spasms or contractions
Not being able to recover properly after a run. No matter how long you rest, your body still aches, and muscles won’t recover.
Feeling pain in your legs but not being able to pinpoint exactly where the pain is coming from.

Tips to Prevent Nerve Damage

The first step in preventing nerve damage from running is to not run excessively. It’s important that you give your body enough rest in between runs to recover. Listen to your body and be sure you are not pushing yourself too hard. If you experience pain or injury, wait until you are completely healed before you run again. To help your body heal from a tough workout, be sure you are getting proper nutrition. WoundVite, by Zen Nutrients, is an all-in-one dietary supplement that contains natural vitamins and minerals that support injury recovery. Supplements provide an easy way to be sure you are getting the right nutrients your body needs to heal.

Also be sure to wear proper fitting footwear and clothing that don’t restrict blood flow. Drink plenty of water and don’t forget to replenish your electrolytes after long runs. Your body loses important vitamins and minerals through prolonged bouts of sweating. Overtime, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause nerve damage. Be sure you are replenishing these nutrients by eating properly and taking dietary supplements when needed. Neurazenx™ is an all-natural nutraceutical specifically formulated to support healthy nerves and prevent nerve damage. Each potent vitamin, mineral, and herb supplement in Neurazenx™ was chosen by Tampa Bay veteran pharmacist, Devan Patel, and a group of leading physicians to address nerve pain and nerve support. Regular rest, injury prevention, and proper nutrient replenishment are key to staying healthy and protecting your nerves.

Conclusion

Running is a great form of exercise and you absolutely should continue your regular workouts. However, make sure you are taking care of yourself and giving your body time to heal. If at any time you feel pain or discomfort, discontinue your running routine. Should your injuries worsen or not get better, seek out medical advice. Drink plenty of fluids and don’t forget to take your vitamins.

The Best Recovery Tips from Achilles Surgery

Recovering from Achilles tendon surgery is an uncomfortable process. During open surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in the back of your leg to repair your broken tendon. In percutaneous surgery, your surgeon will make several smaller cuts and insert tools through the small cuts to make the repairs. In either case, you will require downtime to recover. Your lower leg and ankle will be swollen and bruised. There may even be some numbness around the incision wound. It will take several months before you have complete use of your leg and ankle again, though you may be able to put some weight on your leg after a few weeks. How quickly your foot heals will depend on how well you follow your doctor’s post-op instructions and care for your foot at home. Below are some of the best recovery tips from Achilles’ surgery to get you up and going faster.

At Home Recovery Tips for Achilles Surgery

Rest

Getting enough rest is essential to your recovery. Your body does most of its healing work while you’re asleep, therefore hitting the snooze button is recommended while recovering from Achilles’ surgery. Be sure to keep your foot elevated while you sleep and listen to your doctor’s orders on what activities you can or can’t do. You’ll be in a cast for at least 6 weeks after surgery, so activities will be limited. Rest when you’re tired and wait until you get your doctor’s go-ahead before you resume your normal daily activities.

Diet

Your diet won’t need to change much post-op, but should you have an upset stomach, stick to bland, low-fat foods like toast, yogurt, and broiled chicken. If you have any constipation or bowel movement problems, try a fiber supplement or laxative. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and do your best to eat healthy, nutritious foods.

Supplements

Proper nutrition in the form of essential vitamins and minerals is important for speeding up wound recovery. Your body needs proper nutrition for it to heal itself successfully. Supplements are an easy way to ensure you get enough of the important vitamins and minerals you need for recovery. This is especially true if you have trouble eating certain foods after surgery. WoundVite is an all-in-one supplement formulated specifically to aid in healing wounds post-surgery. Veteran pharmacist from the Tampa Bay area, Devan Patel, co-formulated WoundVite to include 21 of the most effective vitamins, minerals, and herb supplements scientifically proven to aid in wound recovery. With just two daily capsules you can ensure your Achilles is getting the nutrients it needs to heal itself.

Wound Care

Keeping the incision site clean and dry will be an important step in ensuring your wound doesn’t become infected. An infected wound can lead to more serious complications and increase your recovery time. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take care of your wound and change your bandages. If you have a splint or cast, be sure to keep it clean and dry as well. Nothing should go between your cast and leg (such as powder) unless by doctor’s orders.

Ice and Elevation

Place an ice pack on your leg for 10-20 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling. Do this throughout the day for best results. Whenever you are sitting or lying down, be sure to keep your foot propped up on a pillow or chair to keep it above your heart level. If your doctor gave you support stockings, wear them as instructed. Doing so will help prevent blood clots and former complications.

Exercise

Rehabilitation exercises will help to restore flexibility and mobility to your foot and ankle. It’s important not to skip this step to ensure your Achilles surgery heals properly. Proper exercises will ensure a faster and easier recovery.

Listen to Your Doctor

At home care like proper wound care and taking supplements are important for a faster recovery. However, nothing is more important than following your doctor’s orders. Every surgery is different; therefore, your doctor will know the best way to care for you. Be sure to take prescribed medications as directed and follow their post-op recovery tips. It’s also important not to skip out on follow-up appointments. Only your doctor will be able to tell you when you can expect to return to your normal activities. The more proactive you are about your post-op care, the faster you will get back to your daily routine.