Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when there is a blockage of blood flow to the brain. Often a stroke is the result of a blood clot. A stroke can be massive or minute. The recovery time after a stroke, and what that recovery time entails, quite often depends on the magnitude of the stroke and how the victim was affected.
Medication
Blood clots are often the cause of strokes. Therefore, the most common medication that is prescribed to stroke survivors is a blood thinning medication. These medications include plain aspirin and warfarin. Sometimes patients are required by their physician to take both medications.
Other medications may be prescribed as well for side affects from a stroke. Strokes, especially major strokes, often make patients lose some body functions, and it is not uncommon for stroke survivors to become depressed. If depression occurs, a stroke survivor may be required to take antidepressants in addition to their blood thinning medication.
Another side effect of stroke is bowel and bladder incontinence. Sometimes medications can be used to control these side effects as well to control the need or the urge to go to the bathroom. If incontinence of the bowel or bladder becomes an overwhelming issue that cannot be controlled with medication, you may be referred to another doctor who specializes in such treatment. It is often necessary for patients with incontinence to be reminded to go to the bathroom on a regular basis through some sort of schedule.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation from a massive stroke takes a great deal of time. If it is possible for you to go home, you and your family must ensure the home is a safe environment and that someone will be around a majority of the time to help. Quite often, massive stroke survivors must go to a convalescent home or some other type of boarding home where there is a safe environment. If the physician caring the for the stroke patient allows him to be cared for in the home, some changes that need to occur for proper rehabilitation can include major home improvements in common areas of the house such as the kitchen or bathroom. Assistive devices may be needed for showering, cooking, using a computer and other common household tasks that were once easy for a person before the stroke. Above all though, caring for a stroke patient in the home takes support from the family. Counseling should be sought to prevent the family from feeling overwhelmed.
Therapy
Therapies help stroke victims regain motor function and speech. Two potential side affects from strokes are speech interference and muscle ability. Therefore, physical therapy and speech therapy are highly recommended for stroke survivors so they can regain confidence in being understood, as well as learn do some activities for themselves again by regaining motor skills.
Tags: stroke survivors, affects from, blood thinning, blood thinning medication, bowel bladder, caring stroke, caring stroke patient