Physiotherapy plays an important role in treating stroke sufferers, so what is this disease that we hear every day of people who have died or been disabled because of it?
The brain cells are nourished by the arteries that supply it with blood, and the blood carries oxygen and glucose to these nerve cells so that they continue to perform their function to the fullest.
If the blood supply to a region of the brain is cut off, it leads to its death, and thus the body loses the function that was performed by that region.
A stroke is the occurrence of a defect in the blood vessels that supply the brain, and this defect is either a blockage in the artery or its explosion, and thus the lack of blood supply to that area and the death of those nerve cells, which reflects the symptoms of an injury to the nervous system.
Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting approximately 20% of people over 65 years of age. It is the second leading cause of death in the world, and most importantly, it is a leading cause of disability.
The impact of these injuries is not limited to the patient only, but extends to his family, society and the health care system in general. In the United States of America, the treatment of stroke in 2004 cost an amount of 53.6 billion dollars.
One of the most important factors contributing to the occurrence of this clot is age, as most injuries occur to those over 65 years of age, in addition to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, body fat level, excessive nervousness, smoking and excess weight.
Among the most important factors that determine symptoms: the affected artery and the location of the affected area, its size, which the larger it expands, the worse the symptoms.
When the right half of the brain is affected, symptoms appear on the left side of the body because the right half of the brain controls the left side of the body, and vice versa. The left half of the brain controls the right side of the body. If the left half of the brain is affected, the right side of the body is affected.
The initial symptoms of a stroke include dizziness, sudden headache, visual impairment, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, decreased hearing, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and imbalance.
Late symptoms include weakness or paralysis in the affected limbs, impaired sensation, impaired tone of the affected muscles, impaired vision and hearing, difficulty speaking and swallowing, memory impairment, difficulty perceiving and understanding, imbalance and gait.
The diagnosis of a stroke is made through a clinical examination, that is, examining brain functions and the patient's ability to move or feel the hand or foot, laboratory tests and radiographs (computed tomography and magnetic resonance images).
temporary thrombosis
It is possible that before a stroke occurs, a temporary clot will occur, which is a warning to the patient of the possibility of a stroke. It is sometimes called a small clot because it gives the same symptoms as a permanent clot, but these symptoms do not last more than 24 hours.
How can we reduce the incidence of stroke:
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Cardiovascular disease control.
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Monitor blood pressure regularly and use the required medications.
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Diet improvement.
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Stop smoking, alcohol and drugs.
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Lose excess weight.
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Exercise regularly.
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Reducing psychological stress.
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Know the early symptoms of a stroke.
What are the chances of recovery?
95% of stroke patients get better, and the degree of improvement depends on many factors, including: the severity of the stroke, the age of the patient, the type of stroke, and the patient's pre-existing medical conditions.
And focus should be on methods of preventing a clot better than methods of care after a stroke.
What are the latest drugs to treat stroke?
Anticoagulant treatments prevent platelets from sticking to artery walls. Aspirin is the oldest drug generally known and prescribed at this point. It has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, which is caused by clogged arteries.
The role of physical therapy:
Physiotherapy is a very important factor in treating a patient after a stroke, as it helps the patient to rely on himself in spending a lot of daily chores such as: walking, eating, cleaning, dressing...etc.
The medications given to the patient after the injury help prevent another clot, but they do not help restore movement.
An exception to this is antidepressant medications, as many stroke patients suffer from depression after injury. Medications to treat depression very efficiently treat their conditions and make them more cooperative in starting physical therapy, and as a result, they are more self-reliant.
The role of physical therapy lies from the first moment the clot occurs, and not, as some believe, after the patient is discharged from the hospital.
The physical therapist evaluates several things, including the following:
Mental status, sensation, muscle tone, muscle strength of the affected limb, rate of joint motion, functional assessment of the patient, and gait.
And then develops the appropriate treatment plan for the patient. The plan includes exercises to prevent deterioration of the condition and remedial exercises for existing problems such as: strengthening exercises for weak muscles.
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