Stroke rehabilitation is an essential measure to take to restore a sufferer’s mobility, movement, and overall quality of life. It becomes an important component of one’s road to recovery. However, it requires patience, dedication, and perseverance as recovery is not expected to happen overnight (well, not even in a month).
Before we get into the details of stroke rehabilitation, being more informed about stroke is necessary. Let this article serve as a guide in knowing more about stroke and what needs to be done should it happen. As the discussion progresses, the value of stroke rehabilitation is then highlighted.
What is a stroke?
Simply put, a stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Adequate blood in the brain is responsible for speech and muscle movement. As it gets blocked, both speech and movement are affected, either mildly or severely. The longer the stroke is untreated, the bigger it does to an individual. Hence, immediate action has to be done with caution and presence of mind.
Tell-tale characteristics of stroke
Knowing the signs and characteristics of stroke is needed to determine necessary actions when it occurs. Home companions, particularly, have to be aware of these signs especially with the vulnerable individual who is part of the household. They are usually the elderly, those with heart conditions, and perhaps individuals who consume too much alcohol and smokes heavily regularly.
However, stroke does not pick its victims. Yes, the vulnerable ones are at a higher risk. However, it doesn’t let everyone else off the hook. As such extra care is needed at all times. If someone suffers a stroke, check out for these signs:
– Difficulty in walking
– Vertigo
– Difficulty in seeing/impaired vision on just one or both eyes
– The signature “drooped” face on side of the face
– Difficulty in raising one arm to even shoulder level (more so, above shoulder level)
– Slurred speech
Stroke, after its attack
For some, they regain everything back after a mild or mini-stroke attack. Unfortunately, others have lasting aftermath which may mildly or severely affect mobility and speech. However, there is still hope. There is physiotherapy for stroke that’s readily available. A sufferer must go through this so the process of recovery begins sooner than expected.
Stroke rehabilitation
There are different activities involved in lodging an effective stroke rehabilitation or physiotherapy after a stroke happens. These some the exercises or activities designed to help the sufferer recover gradually:
Physical activities/exercises
Motor-skill exercises- helpful in regaining muscle strength and coordination for better function.
Mobility training- may involve the use of canes, wheelchair, and walker to assist the sufferer as he/she starts to walk again.
Range of motion therapy- this is often called forced-use therapy. It happens when the unaffected areas of the body (ex. Limbs or legs) are restrained while the affected part does the work so it gets used to the movement.
Constraint-induced therapy- different exercises and activities which ease muscle stiffness and tension for a better and improved range of motion.
There are other facets involved in stroke rehabilitation such as those that target the sufferer’s cognitive ability. To also adapt to modern times, several experimental therapies and technology-assisted activities are lodged to achieve optimum results. To know more details about the entire process of stroke rehabilitation, click here.
In conclusion
It is important to know that stroke can be prevented, avoided, and blocked. Change of lifestyle plays an important role. Here are just some life-changing steps to prevent a stroke from happening:
– Control and always check on blood pressure. To maintain normal blood pressure, doctors may prescribe maintenance medication, diet, and exercise.
– Stop smoking. This can’t be stressed enough.
– Maintain ideal weight (proportioned to height and weight) through regular exercise and physical activity engagement.
– Decrease cholesterol levels
– Maintain regular check-ups to detect heart ailments and other cardiovascular abnormalities.
– For diabetics, it has to be managed effectively as it can also contribute to some destructive changes in blood vessels. Unfortunately, just like having high cholesterol, diabetes may lead to brain damage.
Stroke is menacing. It significantly disrupts one’s normal life. Whether one recovers from it, the harrowing stress it brings is incomparable. The entire experience is traumatic and takes a toll on one’s disposition and outlook in life. However, with discipline and commitment in following doctor’s orders to change lifestyle, take regular medication, attend therapy sessions, recovery may be underway.
