Stroke Rehabilitation
Stroke
Stroke is the third largest cause of death in Malaysia. Only heart diseases and cancer are more deathly. It is considered to be the single most common cause of severe disability, and every year, an estimated 40,000 people in Malaysia suffer from stroke. Anyone can have a stroke, including children, but the vast majority of the cases affect adults.
Strokes occur due to problems with the blood supply to the brain: either the blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel within the brain ruptures. When this happens, the brain does not get enough oxygen or nutrients which causes brain cells to die.
There are three main kinds of stroke:
· Ischemic
· hemorrhagic
· TIA, also referred to as mini-strokes
Are you at risk ?
Everyone is at risk, there are unavoidable risk and risk you can reduce
Risk you can't change
age
gender
ethnicity
family history (genetics)
trauma to the head by accident
Risk you CAN reduce are risk that you can avoid by leading a healthy lifestyle
high blood pressure
smoking
high cholesterol
obesity / sedentary lifestyle
hearty diseases
high salt intake
heavy alcohol
previous stroke
How to diagnose a stroke
Strokes happen fast and will often occur before an individual can be seen by a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
The acronym F.A.S.T. is a way to remember the signs of stroke, and can help identify the onset of stroke more quickly:
· Face drooping: if the person tries to smile does one side of the face droop?
· Arm weakness: if the person tries to raise both their arms does one arm drift downward?
· Speech difficulty: if the person tries to repeat a simple phrase is their speech slurred or strange?
· Time to call 999: if any of these signs are observed, contact the emergency services.
In order for a stroke patient to get the best diagnosis and treatment possible, they will need to be treated at a hospital within 3 hours of their symptoms first appearing. The faster a person with suspected stroke receives medical attention, the better their prognosis and the less likely they will be to experience lasting damage or death.
Treatment
Acute Treatment - In the hospital
In ischemic stroke, doctor will administer medication to remove the clot and resume blood supply to the brain as quickly as possible or to do a surgery to remove very large clot.
After Care
After a stroke, patient will have to relearn the most basic things in life to regain independence. Patient will be given medication and be referred for rehabilitation once medically stable
Rehabilitation
Strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally, temporarily or permanently. Rehabilitation is best started within 3 months onset of stroke. After a stroke, successful recovery will often involve specific rehabilitative activities such as:
· Physiotherapy - to help a person relearn movement and co-ordination. It is important to get out and about, even if it is difficult at first
· Occupational therapy - to help a person to improve their ability to carry out routine daily activities, such as bathing, cooking, dressing, eating, reading and writing
· Speech therapy - to help with problems producing or understanding speech. Practice, relaxation and changing communication style, using gestures or different tones for example, all help
· Support from friends and family - to provide practical support and comfort. Letting friends and family know what can be done to help is very important.
Here in Namaste Physiotherapy
We help reduce pain from stiffness and spasm associated with stroke
Prevent disuse atrophy
Help with problem of movement and balance
Strengthen muscle for transferring, standing, walking and other activities
中风
中风也称为脑血管疾病，是继癌症、心脏病之后的第3号杀手。中风是导致残疾最普遍的原因，在马来西亚，每一年有大约40，000人中风。任何年龄层的人都有可能中风包括小孩，但中风较常发生在年长者身上。
中风的主要起因是当负责向脑部输送氧气和营养的血管被血块堵塞或爆裂时。出现上述情况时，由于脑部的某一部分无法获得所需的血液和氧气，脑细胞便会开始坏死导致永久性的伤残。由于脑细胞无法再生，中风对于神经细胞的损伤也是永久性的。如果任由中风发生而不加以适当医治，每一分钟就会有数百
的脑细胞死亡。
中风主要分为三大类别
· 缺血性中风
· 出血性中风
· 短暂性脑缺血发作，或称小中风
缺血性中风 出血性中风
如何辨别中风
中风都是突然发生的，并没有任何前兆。F.A.S.T能帮助快速的辨别中风并尽快就医将减低死亡率或中风后遗症。
最普遍的警示是半边身体的脸，手和脚突然感觉无力。
以下所列的都是一些常见的中风警报征兆：
· 突然的面部、手臂或者腿部麻木或者虚弱，尤其是在单侧躯体上。
· 突然的意识混乱、说话或者理解能力出现问题。
· 突然的单眼或者双眼视物模糊。
· 突然的行走困难、头昏眼花，失去平衡或者协调能力。
如果您注意到以上一个或者多个征兆，请勿犹豫。
中风是一种医疗紧急事故。致电您的急诊医疗服务机构，立即到医院就医！
若中风患者能在发病的3小时内就医，就有很高机会挽救受损的脑细胞，并减少中风后遗症
中风后的康复治疗
中风病患可能会面对半边身体瘫痪、言语不利或失去平衡感及协调能力的问题。这将影响病患的日常生活（如吃饭，冲凉，穿衣服等），社区行动能力及休闲活动等。他们也可能会容易感到疲累而被迫减少进行这类活动。中风后的前3个月是复健的最佳时期，其中包括：
· 物理治疗-初期帮助患者重新学习动作如坐起与站立及身体平衡感，并依据患者的情况加强治疗的程度。在初期患者会因此觉得康复过程很困难，产生挫败与疲惫感。
· 职能治疗-帮助病患训练日常生活所运用到的动作
· 语言治疗-帮助病患语言理解及表达
· 家庭康复支持-家属及朋友的支持将加速患者的康复