What to do if I have shortness of breath, coughing or swelling

TL;DR

Learn how to manage shortness of breath, coughing, and swelling after surgery to aid in your recovery at home.

Transcript

Hi, my name is Chandra Backis and I'm one of the nurse practitioners. You may find that when you go home, you experience some of the symptoms I'm about to tell you about. You may have problems with shortness of breath. Now, shortness of breath can happen for several reasons after surgery. You may notice that your shortness of breath may be because ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌬️ Shortness of breath after surgery can be caused by pain, fluid retention, or congestion in the airway or lungs. Take prescribed pain medication and diuretics to alleviate these symptoms.
• 📞 If shortness of breath persists or worsens, contact the provided number or call 911 for severe cases.
• 🤧 Develop a cough after surgery? Follow physiotherapist's instructions for deep breathing and coughing, and take pain medication to help bring up phlegm.
• 🤲 Swelling in hands and feet is common after surgery. It may take up to six weeks for leg swelling to improve. Continue taking prescribed diuretics and limit fluid intake to manage swelling.
• ⚖️ Weigh yourself daily; if weight increases by more than 2-3 pounds in two days, contact healthcare provider for adjustments to water tablets.
• 🦵 Raise your legs and avoid crossing ankles while sitting to reduce swelling. Continue walking at home to aid in reducing leg swelling.
• 💊 Taking prescribed medications and following provided strategies will support a smoother recovery at home after surgery.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can pain medication help with shortness of breath after surgery?

Pain medication can help relieve pain in the breastbone, which can be a cause of shortness of breath, allowing for easier breathing and reducing the symptoms of breathlessness.

Q: What should I do if I experience shortness of breath at home with activity?

If you experience shortness of breath, stop what you're doing, take a rest, sit down, and practice the breathing exercises that you were given in the hospital. If the symptoms persist after five minutes, follow the discharge instructions to contact the provided number for further guidance.

Q: How can a cough develop after surgery and what can be done to manage it?

A cough can develop after surgery, and it can be managed by following the discharge instructions for deep breathing and coughing. Taking pain medication can also help bring up phlegm, and holding a heart pillow to the chest while coughing can assist in expelling phlegm from the lungs.

Q: How can swelling be reduced after surgery?

Swelling in the hands, feet, and surgically treated leg can be reduced by taking prescribed diuretics, limiting fluid intake, raising the legs, and continuing with walking. Additionally, weighing yourself daily and contacting your healthcare provider if there is a significant increase in weight can help ensure appropriate management of fluid retention.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Shortness of breath can occur after surgery due to pain, fluid retention, or congestion in the airway or lungs, and can be managed with medications and breathing exercises.

• A post-surgery cough can be relieved by following discharge instructions for deep breathing and coughing, taking pain medication, and using a heart pillow to help bring up phlegm.

• Swelling in the hands, feet, and surgical leg is common and can be reduced by taking prescribed diuretics, limiting fluid intake, raising your legs, and staying active with walking.