A stroke results when a certain part of the brain has not been supplied with enough blood. When brain cells are not supplied with adequate blood, they begin to die. The death of the cells results to the loss of activities that were controlled by that particular part of the brain. The activities may involve memory function or muscle control.
Symptoms of stroke
A person should consult a health care provider when the following warning signs have been experienced: sudden weakness in the body, abrupt loss of vision and strength, dimness of vision in one eye, loss of balance that is accompanied by vomiting or nausea, loss of consciousness, and dizziness that may result to sudden falls.
Treatment
Treatment of stroke is done based on the patient’s medical history, emergency CT scan, and a physical exam. When an individual is taken to the hospital, he is first given supplemental oxygen to assist in breathing. A medical history is taken to help the doctor in determining when the symptoms started. The severity of the symptoms is determined by conducting a physical exam on the patient. A clot-buster drug is administered by the doctor through the veins to dissolve the obstructing clot. Clot busters should be given a few hours after the onset of the symptoms. The healthcare professionals may recommend surgery to drain the blood that may result from the hemorrhagic stroke.
When the situation has been adequately managed, stroke patients are monitored in the health facility for several days before they can be discharged. A piece of advice is provided regarding diet, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and a possible surgery that may be required to narrow arteries of the neck.
Prevention
Patients are advised to take aspirin to prevent ischemic strokes. When aspirin is not effective, doctors can recommend other blood-thinning drugs like Aggrenox, Plavix, and Warfarin. People who are prone to getting stroke due to an existing heart condition are treated with heparin for acute symptoms. Carotid angioplasty is a treatment method that involves the widening of the clogged brain arteries. During the procedure, a stent that is made up of small wire mesh is inserted into the artery using a catheter. The stent usually expands to the exact size of the artery and holds it open.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a critical element of stroke treatment. After experiencing stroke, various parts of the brain may compensate for areas that were lost due to disturbance by forming a fresh neurological pathway. A thorough rehabilitative process helps in boosting the recovery effort of the brain. The program involves nutritional, speech, physical, occupational, and social therapy.
To successfully recover, a patient is supposed to get quality care. Antidepressants are required to get rid of depression. A company like Salus Homecare provides support to patients who are undergoing rehabilitation. Physical rehabilitation involves regular and gentle aerobic exercises like swimming to restore lost motor function and also to maintain the looseness of the muscles. Those people who are at risk of getting stroke should avoid smoking, and they should also ensure that they eat a healthy diet. Women who are at risk should stay away from birth control pills. A heart-friendly diet should include minerals, vitamins, and other vital nutrients. Foods that have been processed or those that are high in saturated fats should be avoided at all costs by those who are at risk of getting a stroke.
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