About this topic
You may have to limit your activities based on a health problem or surgery. Your doctor will tell you how much activity is right for you. Often, you will start at a low level of activity. Other times, you may not be allowed to do any activity at all for a short time. As your health gets better, you will be able to do a little bit more. It is important to only do the level of activity the doctor tells you to do. ‚
Your activity level is about more than just walking or exercise. It also involves the tasks that you do each day. These are things like getting dressed, taking a bath, or brushing your teeth. Taking care of your home and cooking meals are also a part of your activity level. Driving a car, riding a bicycle, and going to work or school are parts of your activity level as well. ‚
General
Bedrest ‚
You may be on bedrest if you are very sick, had surgery, or have problems with a pregnancy. This means you are not to get out of bed for any reason. You may be able to change positions often. This will help you stay relaxed. Changing positions may also help keep your skin from breaking down. Check with your doctor about doing things like: ‚
- Range of motion exercises
- Deep breathing exercises
- Incentive spirometer, a tool used for breathing exercises
- Sitting up in bed
Even when you are on bedrest, you are often able to help with feeding yourself. You may be able to help give yourself a sponge bath as well. ‚
Bedrest With Bathroom Privileges ‚
This level of activity means you still must spend almost all of your time in bed or lying down. The only time you are allowed to get up is to go to the bathroom. Sometimes, you may only use a bedside commode right next to your bed. This will limit the amount of time spent on your feet. Check with your doctor if it is OK for you to rest on the couch or someplace other than your bed. ‚
Sitting in a Chair ‚
When you are feeling better, your doctor may let you start to spend time sitting in a chair. You may want to first sit on the edge of your bed. This may help keep you from feeling dizzy when you stand up. Ask your doctor if it is OK for you to get up in a chair by yourself. You may still need some other person to help keep you safe when you move about. You may start to feel like doing more things for yourself, like taking a sponge bath or getting dressed. Ask your doctor what is safe for you to do. ‚
Walking With Help and by Yourself ‚
As you get stronger, your doctor may let you start walking in your room with help. You should be able to slowly add to how far you are walking. You may be able to fully bathe and dress yourself as you are feeling stronger. Talk with your doctor to see when you are safe to walk by yourself and do certain daily activities without help. ‚
Other Activities ‚
When you have been sick or hurt, it may take a while for you to get back to your normal activities. Even if you are feeling better, certain drugs you may take for pain may make it unsafe to do certain things. Talk with your doctor about when you may start to: ‚
- Climb stairs
- Lift items or children
- Do light exercises
- Do light household chores like cooking simple meals and clean up
- Go back to routine tasks, work, or school
- Drive
- Live alone
What will the results be?
When you do not move around, you can lose muscle, become weak, and other health problems can happen. This is why your doctor will suggest activity for you as soon as it is safe. Your activity level will be based on your illness along with any other health problems you may have. It is important to move about as much as your doctor says is safe for you. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activity may be limited for a short time. It is important to balance activity and rest. This will help you heal faster. It may also keep you from getting too tired. Talk to your doctor about the best plan for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Weakness
- Loss of muscle
- Pressure sores
- Infection
- Blood clot
- Pneumonia
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- You feel weak or have problems with moving around
- Reddened spots on your skin or signs of pressure sores. These signs could include redness, pain, or skin that feels different than the skin around it. The area may or may not be open.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚