A Guide to Stroke Rehabilitation: Take Charge of Your Recovery

[Pages:69]A Guide to Stroke Rehabilitation: Take Charge of Your Recovery

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .................................................................... 6

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS A STROKE?................................. 8-9

The First Step: Recognizing the Risks Factors for Stroke ........................................................................... 10-12 Knowing the Warning Signs Is Critical ............................ 12-14 What Are the Most Common Side Effects? .....................15-19

CHAPTER 2: RECOVERING FROM A STROKE ................. 21 Types of Stroke Rehab .................................................... 22-24 Tips for Making the Most of Stroke Recovery ............... 25-26 What's a Typical Stroke Recovery Timeline? ................. 27-30 Stroke Recovery Process ................................................. 30-32

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 3: WHAT IS STROKE REHABILITATION? .... 34 Life After a Stroke: Rehab, Recovery, and New Beginnings ............................................................... 35-36 Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab? .................................... 36-37 What Stroke Therapies Are Available for Patients? .... 37-40 What Does a Typical Rehab Healthcare Team Look Like? ......................................................................... 40-41

CHAPTER 4: TYPES OF STROKE REHABILITATION .... 43 Speech-Language Therapy ........................................... 43-45 Physical Therapy ............................................................ 46-48 Occupational Therapy .................................................. 49-50 Neurological Therapy...................................................... 50-51 Mirror Therapy ................................................................. 51-52 Recreational Therapy ..................................................... 52-53 How Inpatient Rehab Facilities Help with Your Post-Stroke Care Plan ..................................................... 53-56 How to Choose The Right Stroke Rehab Facility .......... 56-59

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 5: ADVANCES IN STROKE REHABILITATION ............................................................ 61-64

How Technology is Changing Stroke Recovery Programs ......................................................................... 65-67 CONCLUSION ................................................................... 67-68

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INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION

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Recognizing the warning signs of a stroke and implementing effective stroke rehabilitation has the potential to save many lives. Stroke is the most frequent cause of long-term disability in the U.S. and the fourth leading cause of death, according to the American Stroke Association. In fact, it's estimated that strokes affect about 795,000 Americans, killing 137,000 people--one every four minutes--every year.

Because a stroke can significantly impair motor skills, language, cognition, and physical function, working with a professional rehabilitation team is necessary. The good news is that studies show that earlier and more repetitious rehab can greatly benefit stroke patients by optimizing recovery.

Though they are very common, strokes can be particularly tricky to spot and understand. Learning about the signs can help you catch an episode sooner, enhancing your chances of recovery. Once on the path to rehabilitation, you'll likely have many concerns, including what types of rehab are available, what to expect from the process, and how best to choose a rehab facility. This guide takes a step-by-step look at each stage of the process, so that you can step toward recovery with the support of your rehab team.

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CHAPTER 1

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CHAPTER 1

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What Is a Stroke?

Strokes are both relatively commonplace, and extremely serious--in fact, chances are one of your family members or friends has experienced one. Sadly, they are a primary cause of long-term disability in adults and the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. While strokes may be all too common, they are also frequently misunderstood.

Let's examine the science behind this disease to gain a better understanding of how rehabilitation can help.

A stroke occurs when a vessel that supplies blood to the brain ruptures or becomes blocked, starving brain cells of oxygen and resulting in brain damage. When an area of the brain experiences a sudden reduction or loss of blood flow, the affected brain cells are deprived of oxygen, and within seconds begin to die.

Though most strokes have this basic element in common, there are five different types of strokes, so it's important to make that distinction. According to the American Stroke Association, the five main types of strokes include the following:

? Ischemic Stroke (Clots) ? Accounting for about 87

percent of all strokes, ischemic strokes are caused by an obstruction in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.

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