Reconceptualizing Postoperative Fatigue Syndrome

Postoperative Fatigue Syndrome (POFS) is a series of clinical phenomena characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness, lethargy, decreased concentration and activity as the main symptoms during the recovery process of patients after undergoing surgical procedures, especially major abdominal surgeries.This syndrome not only prolongs the recovery time of patients, but also significantly reduces their quality of life and imposes a heavy economic and social burden on individuals and families.In this article, we will discuss in depth the causes, manifestations and nursing measures of postoperative fatigue syndrome to help patients and their families better understand and cope with this problem.

I. Etiological analysis

The causes of postoperative fatigue syndrome are complex and varied, including the following:

(1) Surgical trauma and blood loss: the trauma and blood loss caused by the surgery itself to the body leads to a large amount of energy consumption and a slow recovery process.

(2) Medication side effects: Post-operative use of analgesics, antibiotics and other medications may trigger a feeling of fatigue.

(3) Physical stress: Stress caused by surgery can affect the endocrine system and immune system, further aggravating fatigue.

(4) Psychological stress: emotional problems such as anxiety and depression brought about by surgery can also aggravate fatigue symptoms.

(5) Sleep deprivation and decreased sleep quality: postoperative pain, treatment interruptions, and other factors affect patients’ sleep quality.

II. The clinical manifestations of postoperative fatigue syndrome are diverse and include:

(1) Extreme fatigue: the patient often feels a constant tiredness that is difficult to relieve even with rest.

(2) Muscle weakness: muscle strength decreases significantly and daily activities become difficult.

(3) Drowsiness and insomnia: some patients show drowsiness, but there are also cases of insomnia, especially difficulty in falling asleep or waking up early at night.

(4) Decreased concentration and activity: inability to concentrate and loss of interest in daily activities.

(5) Mood changes: frequent emotional problems such as anxiety, depression and irritability.

III. Nursing measures

Nursing measures for postoperative fatigue syndrome need to take into account the patient’s physical condition, psychological state, and postoperative recovery needs, as detailed below:

(1) Rest and exercise management

① Ensure sufficient rest: in the early postoperative period, patients should try to rest in bed and reduce unnecessary physical activities to reduce the body’s energy consumption and promote recovery.Creating a quiet and comfortable rest environment and avoiding external noise and light interference will help patients rest better.

② Moderate activities: As the body gradually recovers, encourage patients to do moderate activities under the guidance of doctors or nurses, such as walking and simple stretching exercises.Moderate activities can help promote blood circulation, accelerate body metabolism and relieve fatigue.However, care should be taken to avoid strenuous exercise so as not to aggravate the burden on the body.

(2) Dietary care

①Balanced nutrition: Diet should be high in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, etc., in order to satisfy the body’s need for nutrition and promote recovery.Avoid eating too greasy, spicy, stimulating food, so as not to increase the burden on the stomach and intestines, affecting the absorption of nutrients.

② Small and frequent meals: the digestive function of postoperative patients may be weaker, it is recommended to adopt a small and frequent meals diet to reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines, and at the same time to ensure the continuous supply of nutrients.

(3) Psychological support

① Emotional guidance: pay attention to the patient’s emotional changes, communicate with the patient in a timely manner, understand the patient’s psychological needs, and provide necessary psychological guidance and support.Encourage patients to express their inner feelings and reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and other negative emotions.

② Family companionship: Encourage family members to accompany the patient more, give emotional support and care, and enhance the patient’s sense of security and sense of belonging.

(4) Sleep management

①Create a good sleeping environment: keep the room quiet, warm and comfortable, adjust the indoor light and temperature to the appropriate range, and avoid external factors interfering with the patient’s sleep.Aids such as eye masks and earplugs can be used to help patients fall asleep better.

②Establish regular sleep habits: Encourage patients to maintain a fixed sleep time every day to avoid staying up late and disrupting the biological clock.Avoid drinking coffee, tea and other stimulating beverages before going to bed, so as not to affect the quality of sleep.

(5) Continuous observation and symptomatic treatment

①Regular follow-up: patients should go to the hospital for review regularly to monitor the recovery of the body and adjust the nursing and treatment programs in time.

② Symptomatic treatment: for patients with pain, insomnia and other symptoms, they should communicate with the doctor in a timely manner and take appropriate therapeutic measures to alleviate.If the pain is obvious, analgesic drugs can be used as prescribed by the doctor; if the insomnia is serious, the use of sleep aids or cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep can be considered.

(6) Other nursing measures

①Prevent infection: keep the surgical incision and surrounding skin clean and dry, and change the dressing regularly to avoid infection.

②Promote body circulation: Encourage patients to take deep breaths and cough to promote lung expansion and sputum discharge, and prevent complications such as lung infection and pulmonary atelectasis.Appropriate massage and hot compresses also help promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension.

③Medication: For patients with severe postoperative fatigue symptoms, the use of traditional Chinese medicines or nutritional supplements that replenish qi and blood can be considered under the guidance of a doctor for adjuvant treatment.However, it should be noted that the use of drugs should be carried out under the guidance of the doctor to avoid the risk of self-medication.

In conclusion, nursing measures for postoperative fatigue syndrome need to be managed comprehensively from multiple aspects, such as rest and exercise, diet, psychology, and sleep, in order to promote patients’ physical and psychological recovery.At the same time, the close cooperation between healthcare professionals and family members is also the key to ensure the effective implementation of nursing measures.

III.Conclusion

Postoperative fatigue syndrome is one of the common complications after surgery, with complex causes and diverse manifestations.Through scientific nursing measures, including reasonable rest and exercise, balanced diet, psychological support, sleep management, and continuous observation and symptomatic treatment, patients’ fatigue symptoms can be effectively relieved and physical recovery promoted.Patients and their families should fully understand the related knowledge of postoperative fatigue syndrome, actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment and care plan, and work together for the patient’s recovery.