Rehabilitation After a Stroke
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that every year in the United States, around 795,000 people suffer from a stroke. A patient who has had a stroke had a disruption of the blood supply to her brain, causing brain cells to die. Strokes can be divided into two major categories: ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. With an ischemic stroke, a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the brain. Patients who have had a hemorrhagic stroke had bleeding in the brain caused by a burst blood vessel. Ischemic strokes are the most common of the two, accounting for about 80 percent of all cases, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
After a stroke, many patients can suffer from disabilities, which can affect their daily activities. For example in 2005, almost 1.1 million survivors of a stroke had problems with basic daily activities, noted the CDC. After a stroke has occurred, a patient will undergo rehabilitation to help relearn activities and skills to improve daily functioning. Post-stroke rehabilitation can consist of several types of therapies, depending on what functions were affected by the stroke. For example, if a patient has movement problems after a stroke, she may undergo physical therapy. Occupational therapy helps patients relearn how to do everyday tasks, such a dressing, using the bathroom and eating. Since some patients can experience emotional problems after having a stroke, they may benefit from psychological therapy. Patients who have speech or swallowing problems after a stroke may attend speech therapy sessions.
Stroke rehabilitation can take place in several different settings. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke listed inpatient rehabilitation units, outpatient units, nursing facilities and home rehabilitation. While many patients may go to a formal rehabilitation program, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 26 found that patients can make the same improvements in walking with home-based exercise with a physical therapist.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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