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February 2016 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
Recovering from a
Stroke
Know the signs and symptoms
By Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer
Strokes are a leading cause of
long-lasting injury, disability and
death. In the United States, approximately 700,000 strokes occur each
year. According to the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(www.nhlbi.nih.gov), a stroke occurs
when oxygen-rich blood circulating
in the brain is not able to get to and
nourish one or more sections of the
brain because of a blockage or bleeding. That section then dies; its function is lost.
A person who suffers a stroke may
experience drooping on one side of
the mouth; weakness or paralysis
of the arms or legs, usually on one
side of the body; difficulty speaking or understanding conversation;
and difficulty seeing. The damaging
effects may be temporary or permanent, depending on the extent of the
injury.
The two main types of stroke are:
• Ischemic — This occurs when
an artery that supplies oxygen-rich
blood to the brain becomes blocked.
This is the most common type of
stroke.
• Hemorrhagic — This occurs
when an artery in the brain leaks
blood or ruptures. The pressure
from the leaked blood damages brain
cells. High blood pressure and aneu-
rysms are examples of conditions
that can cause this type of stroke.
A condition that is similar but less
severe is a TIA (transient ischemic
attack), which occurs when oxygenrich blood is blocked temporarily to
a portion of the brain.
If you or someone you know experiences the symptoms of a stroke,
seek medical attention immediately.
The sooner treatment is started,
the less injury you or the person
may have. Some medications used
in the treatment of stroke must be
given in the first few hours. Call an
ambulance to take you or the person
to the hospital; life-saving treatment
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may be given on the way. Prompt
treatment can help avoid a disability
or even death and may also lessen
the occurrence of a second stroke.
Early treatment of ischemic
stroke would include intravenous
thrombolytic (“clot-buster”) therapy with alteplase or intra-arterial
mechanical thrombectomy (opening
of the blocked artery) with stent
retriever devices.
Medications used for early treatment of ischemic stroke include
aspirin and anticoagulants. The
treatment of a hemorrhagic stroke
depends upon the cause of the
bleeding (i.e., high blood pressure,
use of anticoagulants, head trauma).
Initial care of a hemorrhagic stroke
includes controlling the blood
pressure and stopping any medications that could increase bleeding.
Sometimes surgical treatment is
recommended to prevent or stop the
bleeding and reduce the pressure
inside the skull.
A primary care physician will generally add a baby aspirin to the medical regimen of a person considered
at risk for a stroke. After a stroke,
rehab may be necessary and may
include speech, physical and occupational therapy.
Complications after a stroke may
include blood clots, difficulty eating
and drinking, pneumonia, urinary
tract infections, bleeding in the
digestive system and heart attack
and heart failure. Nursing care after
a stroke would include measures to
treat and/or prevent complications.
For example, attention may be given
to nutrition for someone who has
difficulties eating and drinking.
Prevention of stroke includes:
1. Maintaining normal blood pressure.
2. Limiting saturated fats and
watching cholesterol.
3. Refraining from smoking, and
drinking in moderation.
4. Controlling diabetes.
5. Maintaining a healthy weight.
6. Getting regular exercise.
7. Eating a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables.
If you or someone you know
experiences the symptoms of a stroke,
seek medical attention immediately.