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Archive for the ‘Stroke’ Category
Stroke is a very common medical condition. While it is the third leading cause of death in the United States, it is promising to hear that there are currently well over six million stroke survivors in the United States. This is directly a result of the recovery process. If patients get timely medical treatment and adhere to their recovery plan, it is possible to have a life after stroke. The extent of the damage that occurred is the leading indicator of how much function will be lost. Just over a third of stroke survivors are able to recover with only moderate or less permanent injury.
Stages of Stroke Recovery
- Treatment- Immediately after stroke, patients are taken to the hospital. At the hospital, they receive direct medical attention to combat the stroke and prevent another stroke from occurring. Doctors use surgery, catheterization, medication or a combination thereof during treatment.
- Spontaneous Recovery- The body works to heal itself from a stroke. This stage usually starts within a few days of a stroke and can continue for several weeks. In some cases the body is able to heal and “spontaneously” restore the majority of function lost during the stroke.
- Rehabilitation- During this stage of the recovery process the patient learns to regain abilities that they lost or work with disabilities that will last forever. Physical therapists are often involved, but the patient and their loved ones are all important stakeholders. Rehabilitation begins before the patient is discharged from the hospital but often continues well after. Rehabilitation can take place at the hospital, a private center and even the patient’s home.
- Return to Life- Stroke survivors deserve to get back to their lives after their ordeal. Hopefully the damage was limited enough that they can return home. Unfortunately, about 10% of stroke survivors require constant assistance and are admitted to a special facility, nursing home or are taken care of by family. For the rest, there are often changes that need to be made to help them with life after stroke.
Many stroke survivors do get to return to their homes. It is necessary to arrange the home according to the patient’s physical abilities. While each patient will be different depending upon the damage incurred during the stroke and how well rehabilitation is going, there are some general thinking points worthy of mention.
- Stairs may be difficult for stroke survivors. Even if they can make it up by themselves, there is an increased risk that they will fall at some point and hurt themselves. If they live in an upstairs apartment, arrange for them to move to a ground-level unit. If their bedroom is upstairs in their home, find a way to create them a room downstairs. Even remember that single story houses may require walking up porch steps and install a ramp.
- Rugs and electrical cords must be out of the way. Remove them altogether if possible and move them if not. These and anything else in walkways are tripping hazards
- Redesign the bathroom. Install non-slip flooring or apply non-slip pads in the shower and out. Also install grips that the survivor can use for balance: in the tub, near the toilet and anywhere else they may need help.
- Set up multiple cordless telephones around the house. This will require the survivor to walk less when answering the phone.
- Arrange the bedroom so the bed is easy to get in and out of and clothing is easy to access. If there are any electronic devices (televisions, radios, etc.) in the room, make sure that they have working remotes.
We sincerely hope that you and your loved ones never have to deal with stroke. In the event that you do, we hope that these guidelines can familiarize you with the recovery process and provide some advice on how to assist.
If you have any questions about stroke or medical care in general, visit Northwest Medical Center online or call our Consult-A-Nurse Program® at 1-866-442-2362.
While it is a fact that about 75% of stroke victims are 65 or older, stroke is not a selective disorder. The remaining 25% of stroke victims, who are not seniors, account for about 200,000 people annually. Often stroke is grouped in with conditions that only seniors need be concerned with. The reality however is that this is simply untrue. Even if it is a senior who directly experiences the condition, their younger family members and friends are sure to be affected because of the debilitating nature of stroke. Aside from advising patients about healthy living, the medical community is constantly researching new and innovative ways of combating the effects of stroke through treatment.
Drug Treatments
Medical experts are finding new ways to use drugs to treat strokes and reduce their life altering side effects. There are also multiple drugs being tested to that are designed to prevent strokes, which is the best “treatment” in the first place.
- Treatment Drugs
- Thrombolytic Drugs- These drugs have the ability to break up blood clots. As blood clots are generally the problem in the brain that causes decreased blood flow to the brain (which is the general definition of a stroke), such drugs could potentially shorten the length of time a stroke affects the brain and reduce the damage caused.
- Neuroprotective Agents- This type of drug will “strengthen” the brain against stroke. Such drugs will be able to prepare the brain for the side effects of a stroke, making the brain more capable of fighting off negative effects if a stroke does take place. Researchers are developing drugs that could “reactivate” portions of the brain, specifically the molecules that aid in fighting the effects of stroke. This same medical technology could also be used against certain forms of cancer.
- Prevention Drugs
- Anticoagulants- These drugs have the ability to thin the blood. Thinner blood is less likely to clot, thereby reducing the chance that a stroke happens or reoccurs.
- Antiplatelets- The body is designed to cure itself of many afflictions. Sometimes the body over does it and causes injury. In the case of platelets, the body sends small yet solid pieces to troubled areas. If the body sends too many of these platelets, they can join together and cause a clot to form which causes a stroke. Researchers are working to design medications that would reduce the number of these helpful, yet potentially harmful, agents from grouping together.
Surgical Treatment
Once a stroke has occurred, it is often the job of a surgeon to save the patient. While current techniques are saving lives, the medical community is seeking to improve their ability to defend against the debilitative side effects of stroke. Surgical exploration is being pioneered on a wide variety of fronts with researchers trying any angle they can think of to defend the brain against stroke.
- Stereotactic Microsurgery for AVMs and Aneurysms- Revolutionary equipment is being developed to help surgeons locate the specific problem area in the brain. This technology helps pinpoint exactly where surgeons need to work to remove a stroke. Time is of the essence after a stroke occurs, new technology that is aimed at reducing the amount of time it takes to stop the effects of stroke are key to treatment.
Applying research and technology to stroke treatment will surely be beneficial for the health and survival rates of stroke victims. Considering that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, advancements in stroke treatment will hold significant impact for patients and doctors. If you have any questions about stroke or medical care in general, visit Northwest Medical Center online or call our Consult-A-Nurse Program® at 1-866-442-2362.
Northwest Medical Center, hospitals Margate, hospitals north Florida, stroke treatment, stroke technology, stroke news
Because a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is slowed or stopped by a rupture or blockage of an artery, restoring that flow quickly is essential to saving a stroke victim’s life.
If the right treatment is started fast enough, it can not only prevent death, but minimize complications such as paralysis, memory loss and slurred speech.
Types of stroke
There are three kinds of stroke, as defined by the American Stroke Association:
· Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a clot in a blood vessel to the brain. Accounts for 87% of strokes.
· Hemorrhaging Stroke: Caused by a ruptured blood vessel to the brain.
· Transient Ischemic Attack: Also referred to as a “warning” stroke, the clot is temporary and causes no permanent damage. However, it increases the risk of an ischemic stroke.
Aventura at the forefront
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center was the first hospital in Miami-Dade County to receive the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association “Get With The Guidelines” Gold Plus Achievement Award for excellence in stroke care.
This award, bestowed upon AHMC in 2009, recognized the hospital for consistently following the program’s achievement benchmarks for two or more 12-month periods, and sustaining a 75% or higher compliance level with six of the 10 program guidelines.
To do this, AHMC has aggressively used medications and techniques to improve stroke outcomes for patients. These include:
· tPA: A clot-busting drug that must be used immediately after a stroke to be effective.
· Antithrombotics: A medication which inhibits the formation of clots.
· Anticoagulation therapy: A treatment program to prevent the formation of clots in the blood.
· Cholesterol-reducing drugs: Statin medications reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries and help prevent the existing plaque from rupturing.
· Smoking cessation: Quitting reduces the risk of stroke because it reduces the risk of circulatory disease.
· DVT (deep vein thrombosis) treatment: DVT occurs when the blood flow in the legs is slowed and clots form. Treatment includes compression therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.
Aventura was also the first hospital in Miami-Dade to be designated a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission.
Risk factors for stroke
Some people have a family history of stroke. That can’t be changed, but you can modify your lifestyle to reduce your chances of having a stroke.
- Smoking: The chemicals in cigarettes cause damage to the cardiovascular system.
- High blood pressure: This is the No. 1 cause of stroke.
- High cholesterol: It contributes to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries.
- Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise and obesity add to the risk of stroke.
Know the signs of stroke
Stroke happens very fast. It also happens without warning. Signs that someone may be having a stroke include sudden weakness, numbness, blurry vision, intense headache, dizziness and confusion.
Remember, time is critical in treating a person whose brain is not receiving an adequate supply of blood. If you see someone exhibiting symptoms of stroke, call 911 right away.
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center has the staff and the experience to provide everyone in our community with the best possible stroke care.
For more information about stroke care ,or if you would like a neurologist referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7692, visit Aventura Hospital and Medical Center online, or visit HCA East Florida online.
The third most common cause of death in adults in the United States, stroke doesn’t give people any notice that it’s about to strike, which makes it extremely dangerous.
But if you become familiar with the characteristics of stroke, you can react fast enough to call 911, and summon lifesaving medical attention for yourself or someone you care about. By acting quickly, you may also help prevent serious complications like paralysis, memory loss, and an inability to speak.
Warning: stroke!
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.
An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot in the brain or artery to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a weakened artery that bursts and leaks blood into the brain.
In a transient ischemic attack, the clot dissolves on its own, and no lasting damage is caused. This condition is sometimes referred to as a “warning” stroke, because it increases the chances of an ischemic stroke.
Someone having a stroke may experience one or more of the following effects very suddenly:
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Mental confusion
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Severe headache with no apparent cause
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Numbness, especially on one side of the body
Stroke risk factors
Some of the risk factors for stroke can’t be controlled, such as family history, age, and having had a previous stroke. The good news is that several other risk factors involve behaviors that can be changed, such as smoking, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Still another risk factor for stroke, atherosclerosis, is also common in heart disease patients. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque, a fatty deposit, builds up in arteries that provide blood to the brain or the heart.
Depending on its severity, atherosclerosis is treated with diet and exercise, medication, minimally-invasive catheterization, and/or surgery.
Northwest Medical Center stroke care
Now that you know the signs of stroke, you can act decisively to save your life or someone else’s life. The faster stroke care begins, the better the patient’s chances are of survival and maintaining their quality of life.
The Stroke Center here at Northwest provides stroke diagnosis and treatment using the latest medicines and technologies.
This includes AngioScreen®, a non-invasive procedure that identifies narrowed or blocked arteries in the neck and legs by using ultrasound. This test is quick and easy – you can leave your street clothes on – and you will receive a copy of the finding on a CD to show your physician.
Northwest Medical Center also offers outpatient rehabilitative services to stroke patients.
If you or a loved one would like more information about stroke, contact Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362, or visit Northwest Medical Center online.