How is stroke recovery managed?
Key points
- Patients should begin all measures, including any medications and life-style changes needed to prevent another Stroke .
- In all, 90% of stroke survivors experience varying degrees of improvement after rehabilitation.
- Some Rehabilitation Approaches Physical therapy should be started as soon as the patient is stable, as early as two days after the stroke.
- Strong motivation with the goal of independence after rehabilitation is important for recovery.
Reducing Risk Factors for Another Stroke
Patients should begin all measures, including any medications and life-style changes needed to prevent another Stroke .
For those whose stroke was ischemic, aspirin, warfarin, or both will usually be prescribed. Using a neurologist as the primary physician after a Stroke , rather than some other specialist or primary care doctor, significantly increases the chance for survival.
In any case, patients or their families should be persistent in requesting the best care possible during this important early period. Being treated initially in a stroke unit instead of a general ward appears to play a strong role for better long-term quality of life.
Unfortunately, Medicare has cut back reimbursing rehabilation from three weeks a few years ago to a current low level of about 11 days.
Reducing the Risk for Non-Neurologic Complications after a Stroke
In addition to problems brought on by neurologic damage, stroke patients are also at risk for other serious problems that reduce their chances for survival. They include the following:
- Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis).
- Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that travels to the lungs).
- Pneumonia.
- Widespread infection.
- Heart problems.
- Urinary tract infections.
Measures should be taken to monitor and treat patients for these important problems.
Candidates for Rehabilitation
In all, 90% of stroke survivors experience varying degrees of improvement after rehabilitation. With current cost cutting, there is pressure to send elderly stroke victims directly to a nursing home rather than try rehabilitation first, although one study found that patients were three times more likely to return home from rehab units than from nursing homes. Not all patients, however, need or benefit from formal rehabilitation:
- If the stroke is severe, intensive training would not be very helpful
- If the stroke is mild, patients often improve on their own.
Positive factors that help predict good candidates for rehabilitation:
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
