Home care for stroke patients

Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in the US, with one person dying every 4 minutes as a result. Approximately 800,000 people have a stroke each year; about one every 4 seconds. Only heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases are more deadly.1-3

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. A stroke is a medical emergency, and treatment must be sought as quickly as possible.

What causes stroke?
The different forms of stroke have different specific causes.

Ischemic strokes
Ischemic strokes are the most common form of stroke, with around 85% of strokes being of this type. They are caused by the arteries that connect to the brain becoming blocked or narrowed, resulting in ischemia - severely reduced blood flow.

These blockages are often caused by blood clots, which can form either in the arteries connecting to the brain, or further away before being swept through the bloodstream and into narrower arteries within the brain. Clots can be caused by fatty deposits within the arteries called plaque.

Hemorrhagic strokes

Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by arteries in the brain either leaking blood or bursting open. The hemorrhaged blood puts pressure on brain cells and damages them. Blood vessels can burst or spill blood in the middle of the brain or near the surface of the brain, sending blood into the space between the brain and the skull.

The ruptures can be caused by conditions such as hypertension, trauma, blood-thinning medications and aneurysms (weaknesses in blood vessel walls).

Transient ischemic attack

TIAs are different from the aforementioned kinds of stroke because the flow of blood to the brain is only disrupted temporarily for a short time. They are similar to ischemic strokes in that they are often caused by blood clots or other debris.

TIAs should be regarded as medical emergencies just like the other kinds of stroke, even if the blockage of the artery is temporary. They serve as warning signs for future strokes and indicate that there is a partially blocked artery or clot source in the heart.

Signs and symptoms

Strokes occur quickly, and as such their symptoms often appear suddenly without warning. The main symptoms are as follows:

Confusion, including trouble with speaking and understanding
Headache, possibly with altered consciousness or vomiting
Numbness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body
Trouble with seeing, in one or both eyes
Trouble with walking, including dizziness and lack of co-ordination.
Strokes can lead to long-term problems. Depending on how quickly it is diagnosed and treated, the patient can experience temporary or permanent disabilities in the aftermath of a stroke. In addition to the problems listed above continuing, patients may also experience the following:

Bladder or bowel control problems
Depression
Pain in the hands and feet that gets worse with movement and temperature changes
Paralysis or weakness on one or both sides of the body
Trouble controlling or expressing emotions.

Rehabilitation
Strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally. As such, certain rehabilitating activities may need to be carried out in order for a person who has experienced a stroke to fully recover.

Speech therapy can help with problems producing or understanding speech. Practice, relaxation and changing communication style, using gestures or different tones for example, all help
Physical therapy helps with relearning movement and co-ordination. It is important to get out and about, even if it is difficult at first
Occupational therapy helps to improve the carrying out of routine daily activities, such as bathing, cooking, dressing, eating, reading and writing
Joining a support group can help with common mental health problems such as depression that can occur after a stroke. Many find it useful to share common experiences and exchange information
Support from friends and family is also useful and can provide comfort. Letting friends and family know what can be done to help is very important.

Contact us at Bluegate home care services where we have registered nurses who are trained to care for stroke patients diligently and effectively.
bluegateagency@gmail.com
07060851423 or 080-2575-2474