Stroke RehabilitationA 'stroke' or a cerebrovascular accident is a sudden malfunction of the brain due to irregular or insufficient blood supply to the brain. It may result in permanent paralysis or disability of the body or different parts of the body. It may cause the inability of movement of limbs, inability of speech or even sight. Stroke rehabilitation is the process by which people overcome the effects of a stroke by undergoing treatment. This treatment aims at guiding the person back to leading a normal life. It is the second leading cause of death the world over and it is thus vital that we understand the effects of this concept and know how to treat it.
Specialized stroke units have been inaugurated especially for stroke emergencies. These have reduced casualties in hospitals, thus minimizing hospital fatality rates and hospital stay durations. In these units, once a patient is medically stabilized, the next step is to enroll the casualty into the appropriate stroke rehabilitation program. These programs are facilitated by teams of physicians, nurses, therapists, psychologists, pathologists etc. These professionals help the patient by teaching him simple every day activities like bathing, brushing and dressing. He has to learn all these activities from scratch. Stroke rehabilitation involves the process of encouraging the ability to induce strong movements or the ability to perform normal tasks and developments. The rehabilitation process has to be done as fast as possible but can last between the range of a few days and an entire year. Patients have been known to improve over the years and therapeutic exercises can become a part of their routine. Though patients may not achieve complete recovery, they are able to function through most of their normal day-to-day activities. The initial reactions to the rehabilitation program will determine the rest of the recovery process of the patient that will unfold. Most studies indicate that maximum recovery is attained in the first 12 weeks of rehabilitation following the stroke. It is thus requisite that the patient be admitted into rehabilitation as soon as possible after a stroke. There are various therapies in rehabilitation that are incorporated to cure a patient. The therapies aid in strengthening motor skills, limb mobility, helps lessen muscle tensions etc. Few of the therapies used in rehabilitation are:
Stroke rehabilitation is a very important part of recovery after a stroke. The goal of the program is to re learn life skills and to be able to function normally and perform basic every day activities. The program also aspires to guide the patient to become independent. Recovery depends on how well the patient reacts to the treatment. It may not be a guaranteed cure, but it has a considerable impact. |
