Stroke Rehabilitation

What is Stroke?

Stroke rehabilitation is one of the treatment methods for a condition that involves loss of muscle function, impaired movement control, and sensory loss that can accompany it. The term “stroke” is derived from a Greek word meaning inability to move, due to the loss of motor functions or sensory information in the nervous system.

 

Contents:

1. What is Stroke?
2. What are the Causes of Stroke?
3. What are the Types of Stroke?
4. Conditions Caused by Stroke
5. How is Stroke Treated?
6. What You Need to Know About Stroke Rehabilitation
7. Spinal Cord Injury
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke Rehabilitation

•    What natural treatments and rehabilitation are applied to stroke patients?
•    How is the initial intervention done for a person who has had a stroke?
•    How to strengthen the arm of a person who has had a stroke?
•    Can a person with stroke move?
•    Can someone who has had a stroke recover?
•    When does a paralyzed arm recover?
•    Why does the paralyzed arm hurt?

There are two main reasons that lead to stroke. Stroke occurs due to damage in the brain or spinal cord. In advanced age, stroke is more common and is often limited to a specific part of the body rather than being general. Typically, the loss of movement and sensation is limited to one side of the body, either right or left.

Causes of Stroke:

There are several possible reasons for someone to experience a temporary or permanent stroke. It typically occurs as a result of damage in the spinal cord or other parts of the nervous system. These damages include:

1. Stroke:
2. Trauma:
3. Polio:
4. Cerebral Stroke:
5. Peripheral Neuropathy:
6. Parkinson’s Disease:
7. Botulism:
8. Spina Bifida:
9. Multiple Sclerosis:
10. Guillain-Barré Syndrome:

Additionally, certain medications can affect nerve functions and in rare cases lead to stroke.

Types of Stroke:

Stroke can be classified as localized when a specific part of the body like the face or hand is affected (localized stroke) or global when a larger part of the body is affected (generalized stroke). There are more specific terms to describe the affected areas of the body:

1. Monoplegia:
2. Hemiplegia:
3. Paraplegia:
4. Quadriplegia:

Conditions Caused by Stroke:

Stroke can lead to other health problems. It is known to affect many stroke survivors with issues related to urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence. Additionally, both male and female sexual functions can be adversely affected.

Pressure ulcers can occur due to excessive pressure on specific tissues in the body.

Many individuals experience psychological effects as a result of changes related to stroke. Depression is common because individuals cannot maintain their accustomed lifestyles, and adapting to this change can be challenging.

How Stroke is Treated:

In the process of stroke rehabilitation, the aim is generally to maintain the highest possible quality of life and live as independently as possible. The optimal treatment for every stroke patient depends on the type of stroke and its impact on the quality of life.

Assistive devices for people with disabilities can offer solutions for some types of stroke. For example, paraplegics, who have lost function in their lower bodies, can use a wheelchair to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle.

For those who experience paralysis in the upper part of their bodies, an electric wheelchair can assist with mobility if they have control over their hand movements.

Orthoses (prosthetics) form another alternative designed to improve limb function and compensate for affected muscle weakness.

Careful monitoring of stroke complications is crucial. Being aware of potential problems can help detect early signs, facilitating easier treatment and contributing to improving the quality of life. Addressing these medical conditions is essential to enhance the quality of life for each patient and deserves focused attention.

What You Need to Know About Stroke Rehabilitation:

1. The duration of stroke rehabilitation sessions varies between 1.5 to 2 hours.

2. A personalized treatment plan is created for the patient by the physiotherapist before starting the therapy.

3. The patient’s age, health condition, the severity of the stroke, and its cause are considered in the treatment.

4. The success of the applied physical therapy depends on the severity of the stroke.

5. The goal of physical therapy is to enable the patient to perform self-care tasks independently.

6. Smart devices are used for exercise applications, along with hot-cold therapy techniques and massage sessions in stroke treatment.

8. Exercises in water, also known as hydrotherapy, are one of the most effective methods in stroke rehabilitation. Water helps reduce body weight, making movements easier for the patient.
9. The primary objective of stroke rehabilitation is to regain the patient’s daily functions, such as bathing, eating, and meeting personal needs. It includes exercises for swallowing and speech, and psychological support is provided during physiotherapy sessions.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries generally occur due to incidents like falls, accidents, severe blows, and impacts, making them relatively common.

In spinal cord injuries, the function of the entire body is not necessarily lost. Only specific parts such as the right or left leg, arm, back, or shoulder might lose partial or full functionality. Spinal cord injuries manifest where the impact is received.

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Conclusion

In the treatment of spinal cord injuries, once the spinal damage is repaired, physical therapy begins. Considering the location and severity of the injury, the patient’s age, and overall health, a personalized physical therapy plan is devised. The effort of the patient and their family, along with the correct rehabilitation treatment, plays a crucial role in the success of the therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke Rehabilitation:

What type of physical therapy and rehabilitation is applied to stroke patients?

Physical therapy and rehabilitation for stroke patients should be personalized based on the patient’s condition and the type of stroke they experienced.

How is the initial intervention done for stroke patients?

Stroke is a serious condition requiring immediate intervention. Quick and accurate action is essential to increase a person’s chances of survival. Therefore, emergency medical services (call 112) should be contacted as soon as possible, and home assistance should be requested.

How can the arm of a stroke patient be strengthened?

Specialized exercise programs designed by physiotherapists are implemented to strengthen the arms of patients. These exercises are typically aimed at increasing muscle strength and regaining mobility, tailored to each individual.

Can a stroke patient move?

Stroke results in a loss of control in the body due to brain or spinal cord damage. The mobility of stroke patients varies depending on the type and severity of the stroke. While some stroke patients may retain partial mobility, others may become completely immobile. With proper treatment and rehabilitation, the mobility of some patients can be gradually improved. However, the movement ability of a stroke patient is generally limited to physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs directed by specialists.

Can someone recover from a stroke?

Stroke patients can recover over time with proper treatment.

When does the paralyzed arm of a stroke patient heal?

The recovery process of patients varies depending on the severity of the symptoms. Of course, the applied treatment methods also determine the duration of the process.

Why does the paralyzed arm hurt?

The paralyzed arm causes pain because stroke disrupts the normal transmission of nerve signals in the brain or spinal cord. This disruption serves as the cause of arm pain.