One of the biggest problems in modern neurology is the disease caused by pathological changes in the cerebral vessels and impaired normal blood circulation in the main organ of the human body. As a rule, they develop after a cerebral infarction. At the same time, the statistics remain disappointing. Despite the fact that in modern medicine there are many effective methods of treatment, about 35 percent of cases are fatal.
A large number of patients do not fully recover from a heart attack and remain disabled. They develop various neurotic and psychological defects that make normal functioning impossible. Let's try to figure out whether recovery after an ischemic stroke is possible, as well as what medical, pedagogical, economic and professional measures will help patients at least partially recover from the disease.
A few words about the disability
Before we talk about how recovery from an ischemic stroke at home can be, let's first look at the main consequences that patients face. According to profiled experts, due to circulatory disorders, the brain begins to experience an acute shortage of oxygen and nutrients, as a result of which various neurological and mental disorders begin to develop in a person. In addition, the patient ceases to cope on his own even with basic everyday tasks, so he needs constant care.
Among the most frequently diagnosed defects, the following can be distinguished:
- a decrease in strength caused by damage to the motor path of the nervous system;
- paralysis;
- ataxia;
- memory impairment;
- violation of the speech apparatus;
- impaired mental performance;
- Hypesthesia
- visual impairment;
- upset swallowing;
- violation of pronunciation and voice function;
- violation of the functioning of the genitourinary system;
- epileptic seizures;
- Degerin-Russi syndrome.
To minimize the likelihood of developing the above disorders, a person needs recovery from an ischemic stroke. Most activities are aimed at improving basic abilities such as walking, speech and self-care, since many patients are almost helpless the first time after a heart attack. However, they cannot cope with everything on their own, so they need help and moral support from their loved ones.
Principles and objectives of rehabilitation
As a rule, recovery from an ischemic stroke at home is aimed at normalizing impaired functions, therapy and prevention of concomitant diseases and complications caused by impaired normal circulation of the brain, as well as learning to walk, speak and perform basic tasks independently so that the patient can continue to live , independent of others.
The basic principles include the full or partial return to the patient of lost functions, assistance in psychological and social adaptation, differentiated therapy and various measures aimed at preventing relapse. Thus, recovery from an extensive ischemic stroke is very important, because it is aimed not only to return the patient to normal life, but also to help him better cope with moral pressure.
Key factors affecting success of rehabilitation
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Even profiled specialists cannot name the exact terms of recovery after an ischemic stroke, since everything here depends on a number of factors, the main ones are the severity of the syndrome and the characteristics of the body of each person. The success of rehabilitation largely depends on how quickly hospitalization was carried out and treatment started.
In this case, the key factors are not only the sequence, systematicity and duration of rehabilitation, but also the physical assistance of relatives and close people, their moral support, faith and involvement in the whole process of the patient himself. An integrated approach to the restoration and participation of qualified specialists in various fields, including the neuropathologist, physiotherapist, neuropsychologist, speech therapist, aphasiologist, massage therapists, social workers, a specialist in the field of exercise therapy and representatives of many other areas of modern medicine, is of no small importance. Only with the joint work of a number of specialists, recovery from ischemic stroke can be productive and will achieve positive results.
Rehabilitation Stages
So what do you need to know about this? The program of treatment and recovery after a stroke of the brain is drawn up for each patient in a personal order. During its development, the characteristics of the main pathology, the intensity and degree of manifestation of concomitant syndromes and disorders, the age category and many other factors are taken into account.
The following recovery periods after ischemic stroke are distinguished:
- First step. It is considered the most difficult and passes during the first 3-4 weeks after the manifestation of the syndrome, when disorders and lesions make themselves felt in the most acute form.
- Second phase. The first 6 months after hospitalization.
- The third stage. Recovery at a late stage, falling out for a period of 6 to 12 months.
- The fourth stage. The period of residual events starting after a year of illness.
The above recovery periods after ischemic stroke are conditional. This pathology is very serious and often ends with the death of the patient, so it is impossible to name the exact numbers and the effectiveness of the rehabilitation.
Features of the recovery period
According to doctors, rehabilitation of patients can last from 2-3 months to several years. At first, the patient should be hospitalized under the strict supervision of qualified doctors so that they can monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, make appropriate adjustments to the treatment program. At the same time, recovery after an ischemic stroke of the brain should take place in specially equipped rooms equipped with modern equipment, with which you can carry out certain activities aimed at restoring lost functions to a person, perform physiotherapeutic and gymnastic exercises, do therapeutic massage, and also use other modern methods highly effective treatments.
Rehabilitation of patients with partial or complete loss of mobility
The main physical disorders are unilateral or bilateral damage to the motor path of the nervous system, paralysis, as well as a violation of muscle tone and sensitivity. In this case, a full recovery after an ischemic stroke is possible only if adequate treatment is started in a timely manner. However, in order to choose the most effective rehabilitation program, the doctor needs a detailed clinical picture of the patient’s health status, therefore, a comprehensive examination of many specialists is required here. The main activities, as a rule, are prescribed massage, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and gymnastics, a point effect on certain parts of the body and manual therapy.
It is worth noting that the most effective during rehabilitation is a complex of gymnastic exercises and exercise therapy. With their help, doctors very often manage to restore patients' normal walking skills and teach them to independently perform basic tasks and functions in order to be independent from others. To increase the effectiveness of therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation can be used.
Any method used at each stage of rehabilitation is aimed at restoring the patient's normal mobility. With the help of a set of special exercises, one can gradually increase the amount of physical activity, restore muscle tone and increase its ability to strain and relax. After that, specialists begin to learn basic skills - to stand, walk and perform basic daily tasks: dress and undress independently, eat and perform water procedures.
In the initial stages, recovery from ischemic stroke is carried out in a gentle manner. The patient is not assigned large loads, but measures are used that have a stimulating effect on the muscle apparatus, normalize blood circulation and the functioning of the lymph nodes, and prevent the development of contractures. The load increases gradually. At the late stages of rehabilitation, exercises are performed that contribute to the formation and improvement of walking skills, the development of the vestibular apparatus and the training of vertical stability.
Speech Disorders
What you need to know about this? The restoration of speech after an ischemic stroke is a very important stage, because in the absence of a person's ability to communicate with others, he develops a sense of his own hopelessness, he fenders off from everyone and becomes closed, which negatively affects the entire therapy.
Among the most common disorders, the following can be distinguished:
- the complete absence or violation of speech functions caused by damage to certain parts of the brain;
- violation of the innervation of the speech apparatus, manifested due to damage to the nervous system.
The rehabilitation program involves a course of drug therapy based on the use of drugs that improve metabolic processes in nerve cells and trigger recovery processes in the brain. These include amino acid drugs, such as Cerebrolysin, as well as neurometabolic drugs. Along with the patient, a speech therapist-aphasiologist and neuropsychologist are involved.
Recovery time after ischemic stroke in speech disorders depends on the degree of damage to certain sections and areas of the organ, as well as on how quickly therapy was started. As practice shows, the rehabilitation program gives the best results in the initial stages. In this case, the course of treatment requires constant adjustments, since its effectiveness depends on the localization of the lesion and the characteristics of the pathology.
Cerebellar Rehabilitation
In most cases, cerebral infarction is accompanied by severe circulatory disorders. As a result of this, extensive cerebellar lesions occur. This kind of pathology is accompanied by the following clinical manifestations:
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- tinnitus;
- violation of spatial orientation and coordination of movements;
- paralysis of facial muscles.
The main goal of recovery after an ischemic stroke, accompanied by damage to the cerebellum and trunk, is to eliminate problems with coordination of movements, normalize the functioning of the vestibular apparatus and restore defects in the facial muscles. The treatment program is based on individual sets of exercises, exercise therapy, selective massage and biofeedback according to the stabilogram.
Rehabilitation for astheno-depressive syndrome
This is a very common condition in which a person gets tired very quickly, and is also constantly in a depressed state, close to depression. It ceases to withstand prolonged emotional and physical stress, which interferes with normal life. Recovery after an ischemic stroke at home with this syndrome can bring its results and achieve a significant breakthrough in treatment, but an integrated approach is very important here.
The patient must perform physiotherapy and gymnastic exercises. But at the same time, the load should not be too strong, and long breaks should be made between them. To increase the tone of the muscle apparatus, massage is prescribed. In addition, conversations with a psychologist and the use of certain medications are required to bring a person out of a depressed and depressive state.
Rehabilitation of elderly patients
This category of patients requires a special approach in the treatment process, since its representatives are most difficult to treat. Rehabilitation is carried out in the form of short individual lessons, performing exercises of therapeutic gymnastics and psychotherapy sessions. Along the way, vitamin complexes and drugs are taken that improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and strengthen memory. Long-term physical activity is contraindicated, and instead they undergo a course of general rehabilitation treatment.
Rehabilitation Performance
If a person has suffered an ischemic stroke, recovery after a year, carried out at home under the close supervision of an experienced specialist, can achieve positive results.
Patients are assessed in 5 classes:
- First. The highest degree of assessment, implying that the doctors managed to completely eliminate the defects and return the person to a normal life.
- Second. Pathological processes were not completely eliminated, but disability was avoided, so the patient can engage in labor activities and cope with all affairs without assistance.
- Third. During the treatment, the patient was not able to return the patient to work, as a result of which he depends on outsiders when performing complex tasks, such as dressing and undressing or taking a bath.
- Fourth. People are able to perform any tasks and move around the apartment with the help of loved ones.
- Fifth. Complete disability and, as a rule, paralysis.
It is worth noting that cerebral infarction is a serious syndrome in which in very rare cases it is possible to achieve significant results. Unfortunately, most patients remain disabled and need outside help in performing even the simplest tasks. Therefore, if your loved ones suffered an ischemic stroke, you will have to stock up with enormous patience and become their support and reliable support.