After a hospital or ICU stay
Weakness, poor stamina and slow walking after days in bed.
Recovery after illness · Aminjikarai, Chennai
Recovery after illness and deconditioning
After a hospital stay, an ICU admission or a long fever, many people feel weak, breathless on stairs and slow to get back to normal. This loss of strength is called deconditioning. It is common, it can be measured, and with the right plan most people recover well.
Recovery after illness
Who this helps
After dengue, COVID or pneumonia
Tiredness, breathlessness and poor appetite that linger for weeks.
Older adults losing strength
Frailty, slower walking, falls and muscle loss with age.
After surgery or a fracture
Getting back to daily activities once the surgeon has cleared you.
Long-term conditions
Weakness linked to diabetes, kidney, heart or lung disease.
Poor appetite and weight loss
Eating enough protein and energy to rebuild muscle.
Good to know
How recovery is planned
Weakness after illness is often blamed on age or "just tiredness", but there is usually a reason that can be found and fixed. A recovery visit covers:
- Checking for treatable causes: anaemia, low sodium, thyroid problems, low vitamin D or B12, and side effects of medicines
- A medicine review: stopping what is no longer needed after a hospital stay
- Food: enough protein at every meal to rebuild muscle, adapted to what you like to eat
- A graded activity plan: starting small and building up each week, with physiotherapy when needed
- Fall prevention and vaccines, especially for older adults
Most people notice real improvement within 6 to 12 weeks when the plan is followed steadily.
Don't wait for an OPD slot
Go to the emergency department for
- Breathlessness at rest, or chest pain
- Fainting, or a fall with a head injury
- New confusion or drowsiness
- Swelling and pain in one leg, especially after a hospital stay
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to feel weak weeks after dengue or COVID?
Tiredness for a few weeks is common. If it isn't improving after four to six weeks, or you are breathless on mild effort, it's worth a check-up to look for anaemia, low sodium, heart or lung problems.
How long does recovery take after an ICU stay?
It varies. Many people need two to three months to regain strength, and some longer. A steady plan and good nutrition shorten it.
Can my elderly parent really get stronger?
Yes. Muscles respond to exercise and protein at any age. Even simple daily exercises at home can improve walking and reduce falls.
How much protein do I need while recovering?
More than usual, often 1 to 1.2 grams per kilo of body weight per day, unless you have kidney disease. Dal, eggs, milk, curd, paneer, fish and chicken all help.
Do I need physiotherapy?
Many people do well with a home plan. If walking, balance or breathing is badly affected, I'll refer you to a physiotherapist.
Do you consult in Tamil?
Yes. Consultations are in Tamil or English. தமிழிலும் பேசலாம்.
Patients visit from Aminjikarai, Anna Nagar, Kilpauk, Chetpet, Shenoy Nagar, Purasawalkam, Arumbakkam and across Chennai.
Appointments
88077 79174
Call or WhatsApp for appointments and timings. Please don't send reports or ask for treatment advice here; bring them to the OPD.
You can also book online at MGM Healthcare or call the hospital on 044 4524 2407.
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This page gives general information and is not a substitute for a consultation. Timings, what to bring and more →