Stroke Rehabilitation

There are two basic kinds of stroke - Ischemic and Hemhorragic.  Either presents problems and will cause disabilities.  Where and how and how much depends on which area of the brain is damaged and how much is damaged.

The most common problems are those associated with movement and coordination.  And the most common of these problems is the one of paralysis.  This paralysis (lack of full movement of limbs) can also include
coordination of body functions and is usually on the side of the body opposite the side of the brain which is damaged.  It may affect the face, an arm, a leg or the whole side of the body.  In can involve simply a weakness or the entire ability to move the affected part.  It can also involve weakness of function.  Stroke patients may have problems walking, grasping and holding objects, eating, swallowing, posture, balance -really, every day activities we all take for granted. 

Sound bad - it is.  But never hopeless.  With today's medical science, today's medications, today's knowledge and expertise - the stroke patient can soon become the stroke survivor and lead an almost normal life.  "Almost" because after going through the process of handling and overcoming disabilities, the "patient" becomes a better person.

Dick Burns
http://www.liveordieburns.com/  
 .   

Stroke Rehabilitation

Please remember that for stroke survivors, rehabilitation is an on-going process.  You're never really satisfied with being that whole person - you want to be that better person.  If you have to work at it, why not make it the best you can?

For some, rehabilitation can be an ongoing process to maintain and refine skills.  It could involve working with specialists for a long time after the stroke.  For the types and degrees of disability depend on which area of the brain was damaged and how much was damaged.  Every situation is different, different parts of the brain, different amounts of damage. 

Generally, stroke can cause five kinds of disabilities:  paralysis or problems of coordination and controlling movements;  sensory disturbances including pain;  problems with using and  understanding language; problems with  thinking and memory;  and emotional disturbances.

Let's look at and analyze each one.  Each one is different and requires medical professionals, specialists - and YOU!