Understanding Stroke: Key Facts and the Role of Physiotherapy in Recovery
(DM Orthotics Ltd, 2024)
Understanding Stroke: Key Facts and the Role of Physiotherapy in Recovery
June 2, 2024
Physiotherapy
What is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced, cutting off oxygen
and nutrients to brain tissue. This can happen due to a blockage in an artery (ischemic
stroke) or bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). Understanding the types, causes, and
risk factors of strokes is crucial for prevention and timely intervention.
Types of Strokes:
1. Ischemic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery, cutting off blood flow to a part of the brain. Ischemic strokes account for approximately 85% of all strokes and can be further categorized into thrombotic strokes (clot forms within an artery supplying blood to the brain) and embolic strokes (clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain).
2. Haemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue. Haemorrhagic strokes account for about 15% of all strokes and are typically caused by conditions such as high blood pressure, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A TIA, often referred to as “mini-strokes,” is a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain, often lasting only a few minutes. While TIAs do not usually cause permanent brain damage, they are warning signs of a potential impending
stroke and should be taken seriously.
Causes and Risk Factors:
Common risk factors for strokes include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Smoking
- Cardiovascular disease
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
Additionally, factors such as age, family history, and certain medical conditions or genetic disorders can increase the risk of stroke.
Signs and Symptoms:
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial for prompt medical attention. The
FAST acronym can help identify stroke symptoms:
● Face drooping
● Arm weakness
● Speech difficulty
● Time to call emergency services
(Stroke Foundation, n.d.)
In addition to the FAST acronym, which highlights the most common symptoms of stroke, it’s important to recognize that strokes can present in various ways. According to Stroke Foundation Australia, other signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination:
● Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg on either or both sides of the body.
● Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
● Dizziness, loss of balance, or an unexplained fall.
● Loss of vision, sudden blurring, or decreased vision in one or both eyes.
● Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches.
● Difficulty swallowing.
These signs and symptoms, when observed, warrant immediate medical attention. Prompt
recognition and intervention are crucial for minimizing the potential impact of a stroke and
improving outcomes for the affected individual.
Impact of Stroke:
Strokes can have profound physical, cognitive, and emotional impacts on individuals. Physical effects may include hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body), muscle weakness, poor dexterity, fatigue, muscle contractures, numbness, pain, impaired speech or communication, and restricted physical abilities. These effects can significantly affect a person’s independence and quality of life.
Recovery after a stroke:
Recovery after a stroke is influenced by various factors, such as the stroke’s severity, the affected brain area, and the progress of rehabilitation. The most significant recovery typically happens within the first six months post-stroke, though further improvements can continue over several years.
Physiotherapy is crucial in stroke rehabilitation, aiming to enhance mobility, strength, balance, and coordination. Physiotherapists use a range of techniques and exercises tailored to each person’s specific needs to aid recovery. These methods may include strengthening exercises, coordination and mobility training, gait re-education, and manual therapy to enhance movement, reduce pain, and alleviate muscle stiffness.
Assistive Devices: In addition to therapeutic interventions, physiotherapists may also prescribe assistive devices to support individuals in their daily activities. This could include mobility aids, ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to improve mobility or Dynamic Movement Orthoses (DMO) gloves to prevent muscle contractures.
Conclusion:
Recognizing the types, causes, and symptoms of strokes is vital for early detection and intervention. Physiotherapy is key in stroke rehabilitation, offering customized treatments to improve physical function. Raising awareness and providing thorough care can greatly enhance stroke survivors’ recovery and quality of life. Seek professional help if you or someone you know is at risk or has had a stroke.
Reference:
Stroke Foundation. (n.d.). Signs of stroke. Stroke Foundation. Retrieved 19/05/2024, from https://strokefoundation.org.au/
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