A stroke can be a catastrophic event at any age. Survivors of a stroke may be left with life-changing disabilities. But although people may have varying degrees of disabilities, there are ways of improving someone’s quality of life post-stroke.
What is a stroke?
It is always helpful to understand a condition first before looking at what we can do to help recovery. A stroke is basically an attack on the brain. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, killing those brain cells. It will be the amount of cell damage that determines how badly you are affected. A stroke can affect you both physically and mentally.
There are 3 main types of stroke.
1) An Ischemic stroke
is when a clot cuts off blood supply to the brain. This is the most common form of stroke. The American Stroke Association states that 87% of all strokes are ischemic. If the blood clot has developed in the brain it is referred to as a thrombus. Whereas if the clot has formed elsewhere in the body and a piece breaks off, it is called an embolus. These clots often form in the heart or large arteries in the chest or neck. The main cause of these is a condition called Atrial fibrillation. This is an irregular heartbeat whereby the blood within the heart circulates abnormally, increasing the risk of clots.
2) Hemorrhagic stroke
is where a bleed has occurred in the brain, usually because a weakened vessel has ruptured and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The damage is done by the resulting pressure that the accumulated blood puts on the brain tissue.
3) Transient Ischemic Attack, or T.I.A.
This is sometimes referred to as a mini stroke. This is when there is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. This doesn’t normally cause any permanent damage but must be investigated.
Post-stroke disabilities
Rather than discuss symptoms of strokes let’s look at what disabilities may result after a stroke. All strokes are different. Some may result in only minor disabilities whereby others may be left with more serious long-term problems.
People can suffer communication problems. Around 33% of people are left with issues around speech and communication, so this is where speech and language therapists can be of great value.
There is also a condition called Post-stroke fatigue. Some patients are left with no energy at all and feel constantly weary. The only cure for this is time, and it can take many months before energy levels return to normal.
A majority of patients post-stroke will be left with a degree of physical impairment. This is usually due to a weakness in the muscles, often affecting a whole side of a person. This is called a Hemiplegia. This will affect how well you can move about, and how your dexterity is altered. It is possible for people to improve in this area, over months or sometimes years. This is where physiotherapy can achieve great results. A physical therapist can help you to rebuild those muscles and relearn how to use them. They can help you regain movement and strength in your legs to improve movement and balance. You can be taught how to use your arms and hands again, giving you back some dexterity. These changes can be so important, something as simple as being able to dress yourself again is a major achievement. In fact any improvements physically can be good for mental wellbeing. It can allow you to gain more independence in your life.
Conclusion for treatment – Medical Center in Hialeah
So, you can see how important physical therapy is. If you or someone you know has been affected by a stroke, consider what a difference professional help can make. Remember that to achieve the best outcome, you should look for specialists, people who understand stroke rehabilitation. In Hialeah Florida there is a Ritecare Urgent Medical Center. We have dedicated physical therapists who are experts in post-stroke recovery. Why not contact us and enquire?
We are a company who are transparent regarding treatments and costs. You can use the telemedicine route in Hialeah if you wish to determine if our center offers what you require. It is a covid-19 safe environment following the CDH and HHS guidelines. You can also have a covid-19 test if you wish.
To summarise, a stroke can be debilitating. Yet with professional support, great improvements can be gained for both your physical and mental wellbeing. If you would like more information about our services, do not hesitate to contact us or request an appointment.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
