But what happens in the days, weeks and months after a stroke? Johns Hopkins stroke rehabilitation specialist April Pruski, M. Although recovery looks different for everyone, it can be helpful to get a sense of the stroke recovery timeline so you know what to expect after you or a loved one experiences a stroke.
Look out for these signs. If you experience a stroke, you will likely be initially admitted to an emergency department to stabilize your condition and determine the type of stroke. If it is caused by a blood clot ischemic stroke , clot-busting medication can help reduce long-term effects if you are treated in time.
The rehabilitation team includes physiatrists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and nurses. The typical length of a hospital stay after a stroke is five to seven days. During this time, the stroke care team will evaluate the effects of the stroke, which will determine the rehabilitation plan. Physical and occupational therapy can help determine which areas of the brain are affected by working with a patient to complete various tasks, like walking or brushing hair.
Speech-language therapy is important for patients who have trouble swallowing due to stroke or aftereffects of having a breathing tube. Therapy sessions are conducted up to six times each day while the patient is at the hospital, which helps evaluate the damage caused by the stroke and jump-start the recovery.
Activities of daily living ADL become the focus of rehabilitation after a stroke. ADL typically include tasks like bathing or preparing food. But you should also talk with your care team about activities important to you, such as performing a work-related skill or a hobby, to help set your recovery goals.
Starting treatment early helps to prevent further complications. If you are unable to move around in bed, the team will be working to prevent clots deep vein thrombosis from forming in your legs. They will also try to prevent pressure sores on your skin. As soon as you are able, the team will work with you to get you sitting, standing and walking safely. Weakness and balance problems may put you at risk of falling.
The team will assess your risk. They will work with you to make sure you understand the risk and how to prevent falls. If the team gives you a mobility device such as a walker, it is important to use it. You should have a swallowing test before you are given any liquids, food or medication. Problems swallowing, if not identified, can lead to complications such as:. The team will want to identify any problems with bowel and bladder control early so that training programs can start as soon as possible.
Recovery starts once you are stabilized. The team will work with you to assess your abilities and start developing strategies and therapies to begin your recovery. Team members will be looking to see how the stroke has affected your ability to resume day-to-day life. They will start working with you to plan for the next step in your recovery — whether you are going home, to rehabilitation, or to long-term care.
During your hospital stay, ask lots of questions to make sure you understand what has happened, what to expect and your role in recovery. Most of us remember only a small part of what we are told in healthcare team appointments and meetings. Know what to expect with your personal stroke recovery journey. Get a free copy of our stroke recovery book Your Stroke Journey. Transitions and community participation infographic from the Canadian Stroke Best Practices guidelines.
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The first hours at the emergency department The first hours after stroke can be very scary and fast-paced. There are three goals for treatment in the first few hours after a stroke: To stabilize you by managing breathing, heart function, blood pressure, bleeding, swallowing and other symptoms. To make a diagnosis: You should receive a brain scan soon after you arrive at the hospital. Other times it can take longer. There are many variables that affect the time it takes to recover.
Instead of focusing on recovery time, it can help to focus on the recovery process instead. When you focus on the steps you can take to recover, you are empowered to take action. And action is how results are made. Want 20 pages of stroke recovery tips in an illustrated PDF? Download our free ebook by clicking here link opens a pop up for uninterrupted reading. After a stroke, you will spend some initial time at the hospital.
Generally speaking, if you are able to accomplish the activities of daily living on your own, you are likely to go straight home after the hospital. Your rehabilitation team should instruct you on how to continue rehabilitation at home before discharge. Once you arrive home, recovery is in your hands. However, recent studies suggest that such patients may experience persistent disability and difficulty with complex activities.
This means that a full recovery from stroke is not guaranteed, even for minor stroke survivors. The ingredient that makes recovery possible is action. With a rigorous therapy regimen, most mild stroke survivors can achieve a full recovery, or get very close to one. Even if you do go to outpatient therapy, it is imperative to participate in a rigorous at-home therapy program as well. Some mild stroke patients stop pursuing rehab and feel like they are stuck at the level of impairment that they left off with.
The brain is capable of changing throughout our entire lives. Whenever we begin to put in the work, the brain will respond.
This is why recovery is possible even decades after a stroke. Again, the essential ingredient is action. You get better at the skills that you practice regularly, no matter how long it has been since your stroke. Overall, recovery from a mild stroke takes less time than recovery from a massive stroke. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or in someone else, seek medical attention immediately. Medication and surgical interventions can help treat stroke and increase the odds of survival and recovery.
It is critical, however, to seek help for TIAs, too, because they are often warning signs that you could experience a serious, more severe stroke in the future. Both of these types of strokes can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the part of the brain affected, including: Sudden weakness Sudden, severe headache Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, usually only on one side of the body Difficulty speaking or understanding speech Difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes Confusion Trouble breathing Trouble walking Dizziness The severity and duration of stroke symptoms can vary from person to person.
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