Stroke Treatment

  • Stroke
    A stroke is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain, usually because a blood vessel bursts or is blocked by a clot. This cuts off the supply of oxygen and nutrients, causing damage to the brain tissue. The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured and how severely it is affected. A very severe stroke can cause sudden death.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 29 October 2015

The primary goal of treating stroke patients is to restore blood flow to the brain. The doctor will consider some of the following options:

  • Medications that dissolve the blood clot. 
  • Surgical procedures that can open up or widen arteries - either in the carotid artery or in the brain, wherever the blockage is located. The carotid artery is located in the neck, supplying blood to the brain, neck and face. There are two carotid arteries, one on the right and one on the left. 

Once the patient is stable, the doctor may recommend 

Rehabilitation: The nature of the rehabilitation process and the therapies will depend on the area of the brain affected, the amount of tissue damaged and the severity of the damage. It is common for the rehabilitation process to include speech therapy, occupational therapy and family education. 

10% of stroke survivors recover almost completely. 25% recover with minor impairments after rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation specialists include:

• Physicians: Physiatrists (specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation), neurologists, geriatricians (specialists in the elderly), family practice

• Rehabilitation nurses: They specialise in nursing care for people with disabilities.

• Physical therapists: They help to restore physical functioning by evaluating and treating problems with movement, balance and coordination.

• Occupational therapists: They provide exercises and practice to help the patient perform activities of daily living.

• Speech & Swallow therapists: They help improve language skills and swallowing techniques.

• Social workers: They assist with financial aid such as medical claims, govt schemes etc.

• Psychologists: They deal with the mental and emotional health of patients.

• Therapeutic recreation specialists: They help patients return to activities they enjoyed before the stroke or pick up new hobbies.

Read here a case study: Healing the mind after a Stroke

Community
Stroke Rehab and Recovery
Condition
Stroke

Stories

  • A person in a blue full sleeved shirt holding his head indicating a brain stroke
    Post-Stroke Depression Is Common
    But often overlooked, says Porrselvi A.P. a cognitive and psychosocial interventions specialist. Here, she offers a case study and practical strategies to guide you back to normal life.   The patient: Mrs. K, a 67-year-old woman had a stroke in the left side of her brain in September last year.  Her condition: Mrs K was referred for cognitive and psychological evaluation following complaints of social withdrawal, memory disturbances and increased irritability…
  • Stroke Management
    In addition to Treatment and Rehabilitation, the following aspects are equally important Nutrition  Eat like a Mediterranean (fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods, lean meats and poultry, fatty fish once or twice a week)  Cut fat intake Limit your alcohol consumption Limit salt intake. Exercise Make exercise a habit as soon as the doctor gives you the go-ahead. Exercise at least 30-40 minutes every day. Exercise will help you maintain an ideal weight and…
  • Stroke Treatment
    The primary goal of treating stroke patients is to restore blood flow to the brain. The doctor will consider some of the following options: Medications that dissolve the blood clot.  Surgical procedures that can open up or widen arteries - either in the carotid artery or in the brain, wherever the blockage is located. The carotid artery is located in the neck, supplying blood to the brain, neck and face. There are two carotid arteries, one on the right and one on the left.  Once the…
  • Tests for Stroke
    What tests do you need to have done? Stroke is a medical emergency, and anyone suspected of having a stroke should be taken to hospital immediately (delay affects rehab) so that tests can be done and the correct treatment provided as quickly as possible. Tests include: Physical examination and tests like a blood pressure test, blood tests to check cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.  Ultrasound - a wand waved over the neck can provide a picture that shows whether there is any…
  • Types of Stroke
    Different types of Stroke are: Thrombotic stroke: This kind of stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a blood clot in a blood vessel.  Embolic stroke: This is caused when a travelling particle like fat, air, cancer cells or clump of bacteria in the blood stream blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Haemorrhagic stroke: This is caused by a breakage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain leading to bleeding within the brain.  Silent stroke: This does not have any…
  • Stroke Symptoms and Signs
    Here are some of the general symptoms noticed in a stroke: Sudden-onset face weakness Arm drift (ie, if a person, when asked to raise both arms, involuntarily lets one arm drift downwards)  Abnormal speech Some symptoms depend upon the part of brain involved. If the brain stem (the part that joins the brain to the spine) is affected, it may result in the following: Altered smell, taste, hearing or vision (total or partial) Drooping of eyelid and weakness of eye muscles Decreased…
  • Stroke Prevention
    Can it be prevented? You can lower your risk of getting a stroke by doing the following: Control and reduce high blood pressure Avoid fatty foods Avoid high carbohydrate intake Do not smoke tobacco Control your diabetes Stay active Manage your heart
  • Causes of Stroke and Risks
    What causes a stroke?  • Lack of blood flow caused by a blockage, such as a blood clot, in the blood vessel  • Internal bleeding in the blood vessels in the brain Are you at the risk of getting a stroke? Stroke can occur at any age. So, it doesn’t just affect the elderly. However, the chances of stroke do increase in a person who has certain risk factors. Stroke is known to have multiple factors that can increase risk, but most of these factors can be treated and medically managed.…
  • Healing the mind after a stroke
    How stroke affects understanding and behaviour and how to regain lost ground. By Porrselvi A.P. a cognitive and psychosocial interventions specialist What happens in a stroke Stroke or Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA) happens when there is either a block in the supply of blood to an area of the brain or when there is bleeding within the brain tissue. When this happens, areas of the brain do not receive sufficient amount of blood and nutrients they require and are damaged.…
  • Eat blueberries and strawberries three times per week
    A significant study links berry consumption with improved heart health. You can’t get the same benefit from a pill or supplement. The finding comes from a new study led by Dr. Eric Rimm, associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School. “The sooner people start the type of diet that includes a higher intake of blueberries and strawberries, the better,” Dr. Rimm says. “The people with heart benefits had three or more servings of a half a cup of…