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Best stroke recovery tips

In moderate or severe injury, most of the rehabilitation process is experienced in the first three months after the stroke. The recovery continues, more slowly, until at least six months, and some patients continue to recover slightly near the year. Not all patients will fully recover. The time a patient will require rehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or other) will vary depending on the objectives of each case. Thus, in an elderly patient with severe disease, rehabilitation can focus on getting a transfer from the bed to the wheelchair easily. This can be done in a few days or

Avoiding another stroke: Exercising

Exercising is not only one of the keys to healthy life; it also helps prevent heart disease and lowers stroke risks. Indeed, inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease and it can also lead to high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Exercising 30 to 40 minutes at least 3 to 4 times a week reduces blood pressure, raises “good cholesterol” and helps regulate insulin requirements. Bring physical activity into your daily life! Daily physical activity does not require a lot of time, but it benefits your body a lot. It does not mean you have to

Prevention of Stroke

Stroke is an epidemic that is not usually given the press that heart disease and cancer usually get. Yet strokes kill millions of people every year worldwide. The American Heart Association does have a stroke prevention site, because stroke and heart disease are often found together. However, the push for the public to understand stroke symptoms and to get help immediately isn’t as publicized as the need for CPR and defibrillators. Some work places now have informational posters warning about the signs of a stroke, but stroke prevention and recognition is poorly understood. Symptoms are not the only issues that

Pets and Stroke

Strokes are a devastating condition in humans, but they are even more emotional when it is your pet that has had the stroke. First, it is difficult to notice the symptoms because the pet can’t tell you what it is feeling. Second, some pets have strokes and then recover on their own. The point is that pet strokes are a problem, and they can lead to difficult times for your pet as they recover. Of course, it would take a good deal of rehab to get a pet back to the pre-stroke shape. It is time and money intensive, but

Behind the scenes of a Caregiver

Caregiving is one of the most difficult jobs you may ever have. Even nurses and doctors have difficulty with very sick patients, but it is far more complicated when the one you are caring for is a loved one. You may find that your loved one resents you helping them, is embarrassed because of their inability to take care of themselves, and denial of the severity of their symptoms. It can make you feel ways that you would never feel about your loved one before. For instance, if your loved one has had a stroke, you may be the only

Adaptive equipment for stroke survivors

When strokes occur, the initial response is to concentrate on helping your loved one come out of the situation healthy. However, after all of the health scares are over, most stroke survivors are left with significant deficits that can cause problems in independence. These problems can arise over many activities, and they are usually addressed in the lengthy rehabilitation process. During that process, many forms of adaptive equipment are introduced to help the stroke survivor achieve as much independence as possible. The activities of daily living, or ADLs, refer to the routine steps we take to care for ourselves. Most

Invisible disabilities: Dealing with the Non Physical Problems following a Stroke

Everyone is familiar with the physical problems that follow a stroke. They are used to paralyzed arms, facial drooping, and difficulty walking. However, other parts of the brain may be affected that create disabilities that are no so readily noticeable. Physical problems are often easier to deal with and rehabilitate because they are obvious, but there are ways to treat the invisible signs, too. Some patients may have only invisible signs, and you don’t realize there is a problem. This is when you and your neurologists have to fully test a patient to determine if they have these hidden signs.

Why Do Second Strokes Happen?

One stroke is a difficult occurrence to face, but many stroke survivors find that they end up having secondary strokes. Often, these strokes are more severe and can take more functioning away. Fortunately, you can prevent a secondary stroke by following the orders that your doctor has given you. If you ignore healthy suggestions, then the possibility of a secondary stroke is very high. Usually, it is unhealthy living that leads to a stroke in the first place, and by learning how to take care of yourself better, you can prevent further damage. If you’ve had an ischemic stroke, or

Visual Impairments Following a Stroke

Stroke causes a variety of symptoms, and most people know the main signs, such as paralysis, difficulty talking, and drooping face. One area you may not realize that also suffers from a stroke is vision. It makes sense, though: your eyes are just another set of nerves that are managed by the brain. If the part of the brain that makes sense of the impulse is injured by a stroke, then vision will be impacted. Sometimes, it is hard to tell that a stroke patient has a visual impairment because the symptoms are subtle. Very rarely does vision loss present

Utensil Adaptations for Independent Eating

Most stroke survivors strive for independence regardless of their limitations after their incident. Being independent is a great way to combat depression, feel good about yourself, and take some of the pressure off your caregiver. Even if you can only do a few things by yourself, it is important to do those things and to try to do as many other skills as possible. Eating by yourself is often considered an essential exercise for most stroke survivors. Besides bathroom skills, eating by yourself is usually at the top of the list. However, eating with one arm paralyzed or facial droop