Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)
Muscle weakness, memory problems, depression, insomnia, physical pain, nightmares. These are just a few examples of the problems that patients may experience following critical illness. Symptoms such as these which affect emotional, physical, and cognitive health are now being recognized as Post Intensive Care Syndrome, or PICS. Efforts to educate health care providers, patients, and families about Post Intensive Care Syndrome are underway. Explore our site to learn more about PICS.
Beyond the ICU: Introduction
Millions of people experience critical illness on an annual basis in the United States. And the more we learn about recovery from critical illness, the more we realize that a significant number of people who become critically ill experience new or worsening difficulties in physical, mental, or emotional health in the aftermath. Our previous "Breaking It Down" series aimed to explore these difficulties, collectively known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).
Our new series "Beyond the ICU" will focus on life in the days, weeks, months, and years after the ICU. We will cover issues important to those who have experienced critical illness, as well as their loved ones, with topics including physical rehabilitation and exercise, nutrition, cognitive rehabilitation, stress reduction, and more. We will also be highlighting testimonials and stories from previous patients and loved ones to illustrate life beyond the ICU.
Check back with us as we update this series and discuss topics central to life Beyond the ICU.
Liked by Yue Dong, Lisa Lucier