Stroke rehabilitation

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. In the United States, about 800,000 people each year suffer a stroke and approximately two-thirds of these individuals survive and require rehabilitation. The goals of rehabilitation are to optimize how the person functions after a stroke and the level of independence, and to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Advances in emergency stroke treatment can limit damage to the brain, which occurs either from bleeding into and around the brain or from lack of blood flow to a region where nerve cells are robbed of vital supplies of oxygen and nutrients and subsequently die.

The disability that a person with stroke experiences and the rehabilitation that is needed depends on the size of the brain injury and the particular brain circuits that are damaged. The brain has an intrinsic ability to rewire its circuits after a stroke, which leads to some degree of improved function over months to years. Even though rehabilitation doesn’t reverse brain damage, it can substantially help a stroke survivor achieve the best long-term outcome.

Rehabilitation helps someone who has had a stroke relearn skills that are suddenly lost when part of the brain is damaged. Equally important in rehabilitation is to protect the individual from developing new medical problems, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, injury due to fall, or a clot formation in large veins.

Rehabilitation also teaches new ways to compensate for any remaining disabilities. For example, one might need to learn how to bathe and dress using only one hand, or how to communicate effectively with assistive devices if the ability to use language has been affected.

• schemic Stroke (Clots) 

Accounting for about 87 percent of all strokes, ischemic strokes are caused by an obstruction in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. 

• Hemorrhagic Stroke (Bleeds) 

 Frequently caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure, this type occurs when weakened blood vessels rupture. You may recognize the two types of hemorrhagic strokes by their common names: aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations.

• TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) 

A TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. One of the most tricky types to diagnose, these are often referred to as “mini-strokes.” However, there is nothing mini about them--they are often early warning signs that a major stroke is to come. 

Factors can affect the outcome of stroke rehabilitation?

• The severity and degree of damage to the brain.
• Age. The degree of recovery is often greater in children and young adults as compared to the elderly
• Level of alertness. Some strokes depress a person’s ability to remain alert and follow instructions needed to engage in rehabilitation activities.
• The intensity of the rehabilitation program.
• Severity of concurrent medical problems.
• The home environment. Additions such as stair rails and grab bars can increase independence and safety at home.
• The work environment. Modifications to improve physical safety and modifications of work tasks may make return to work possible.

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Regards
Meria Den
Managing Editor
Stroke Research & Therapy