Of course, an increase in temperature always scares a person, as this is clear evidence that unwanted processes are occurring in the body. In some situations, the appearance of heat can indicate the degree of damage to the brain. Especially if there is a temperature after a stroke.
In addition, this indicator helps to make a more accurate diagnosis, and also to predict how the disease will proceed in the future. If the temperature appears or is absent, the doctor can tell how well the patient is recovering from surgery or a severe attack.
What is the temperature of a patient after a stroke considered normal
Experts say that if a person has suffered an ischemic or hemorrhagic attack, then in this case the general body temperature rises in almost everyone. In this case, we are talking about the fact that the body simply confirms the fact that more recently it was forced to endure a complex shock. However, this can also be a signal that the patient has developed complications amid an attack.
Doctors recommend paying attention to temperature indicators. If it does not exceed the allowable 37.5 degrees, then in this case we are talking about a normal recovery process. The man is recovering and soon the lost forces will return to him.
If the temperature after a stroke is 38 or more degrees, then its level indicates how extensive or intense hemorrhage occurred during a stroke. This means that the human body is much more difficult to cope with the consequences of this incident, therefore there is a risk of possible complications. Therefore, with a sharp jump in this indicator, you need to immediately seek help.
If the temperature after a hemorrhagic stroke or ischemic stroke has jumped strongly, the antipyretic agent is administered first to the patient. This is necessary in order to reduce the extent of hemorrhage and prevent possible damage to the brain structure. After this, the patient may require hospitalization and a mandatory examination.
Fever
If we talk about what fever indicates, then, as a rule, it is a reaction of the body to pathological processes that can be both acceptable and pathological. In the latter case, we are talking about disturbances in the brain. With a strong increase in temperature after a stroke, there is an increase in metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, the human body needs to spend much more energy in order to maintain the vital activity of cellular material. As a rule, this leads to the fact that cells gradually begin to lose their functionality, neurons die faster.
Restoring the normal course of metabolic processes is necessary in order for the cells to receive the necessary amount of oxygen. The fact is that at the time of a stroke there is a sharp slowdown in blood circulation. If at the same time the temperature rises sharply, then brain cells begin to die 2 times faster. The appearance of heat after an attack is fraught with similar consequences.
Additional Information
There are cases when, in some patients, on the contrary, the temperature decreases (for example, to 36 degrees) after a stroke. The reasons for this manifestation are that there is no serious neurological deficit. In this case, we are talking about positive dynamics. The recovery process is quite fast and the patient has every chance of recovery.
Accordingly, an increase in temperature may indicate that brain cells are not able to recover properly, instead they continue to die.
Temperature after a stroke: why rises?
There are various versions depending on how much time has passed since the attack. However, most often the temperature increase is due to:
- Extensive hemorrhage.
- Ischemia.
- Arterial thrombosis.
- Necrosis of brain tissue.
- Vein thrombosis or cerebral edema.
If after a stroke there are changes in the indicators of the thermoregulation center of the human body. This leads to neurogenic hyperthermia. In some situations, the causes of temperature after a stroke are that the patient has an allergic reaction to a drug that was prescribed for the recovery period in order to speed up the healing process. In this case, you must immediately refuse to accept it or choose funds from another group.
Additional reasons
If we talk about statistics, then, according to doctors, most of the patients suffer from fever, more precisely, hyperthermia within a month after a stroke. Often this develops against the background of:
- Pneumonia.
- The appearance of pressure sores.
- Inadequate care for a patient who cannot service himself.
- Stagnation, when it comes to too long lying position.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases that appeared on the background of infection.
- Genitourinary infections.
- Tissue necrosis.
In addition, not only a high temperature after a stroke may appear, but also increased sweating. In this case, patients do not experience other changes in health. Therefore, if during the recovery process there is only an increase in temperature, but there are no other signs of a viral or seasonal disease, this indicates a reaction of the body to the catastrophe that happened.
What could be the consequences
If a person rises in temperature after an ischemic stroke or attacks of another category, then this is primarily a sign of hemorrhage occurring in the brain.
There are a number of rather serious consequences of such a state change. If a person has a fever, then this can lead to an acceleration of metabolic processes and subsequent oxygen starvation of cells. Against this background, damage to some centers of the brain occurs.
If the human body could not fully recover, then this can provoke the development of disability. There are times when after a stroke people fall into a coma and die.
What to do at home
First of all, it is worth saying that if the temperature persists after a stroke, the patient’s relatives should in no case try to cope with the problem or prescribe potent drugs to the patient. In this case, there is a big risk of only further harming human health. However, it is far from always possible to get timely qualified assistance. In this case, it is allowed to give a patient with a high fever after a stroke anti-inflammatory drugs of the non-steroid group. These include Aspirin, Analgin, Paracetamol, as well as Ibuprofen. However, giving more than two tablets is prohibited.
In no case should you try to treat the patient with antibiotics and drugs included in the group of steroid drugs, including potent analgesics.
If the patient’s relatives are awaiting the arrival of doctors, then a patient’s reflexes should be checked. In no case should the patient be given antipyretic tablets if he is breathing heavily or cannot swallow the product on his own. There is a chance that a relapse occurred and the development of a stroke condition began.
Features of the choice of medicines
When a person has suffered a serious attack, it is very important to control the temperature regime of his body. If the temperature after a stroke does not rise above 37.5 degrees, then serious measures should not be taken. However, it is important to keep track of any changes in these indicators. If the temperature has risen above 38.6 degrees, then the patient can be given Paracetamol. Calculating the dosage yourself is difficult. It is important not to harm the patient even more. Specialists recommend giving the patient about 325-1000 mg of the drug every 5-6 hours. However, the dose should not exceed 4 g per day. It is necessary to evaluate not only the condition of the patient, but also his weight and age. If we are talking about an elderly person, then do not experiment. Better call a doctor.
Specialists carry out the necessary measures to lower the temperature. Today, there are two methods of such therapy.
Invasive method
When using this method, doctors administer to the patient an intravenous specialized saline solution, which has a cooling effect. This method is considered the most effective, since it allows you to quickly reduce and adjust the temperature of the patient.
However, the invasive method has a drawback. It lies in the fact that such manipulations can provoke certain complications. For example, thrombosis or vascular hemorrhage may develop as a side effect.
Non-invasive method
In this case, it is possible to lower the temperature regime of the patient's body when exposed to his skin. Usually, ordinary ice is used for this, which is packed in special bags. After this, cold lotions are applied to the patient's head. This method allows you to minimize the effect on the state of blood vessels, but there is a risk of frostbite. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the patient's condition. If hypothermia is allowed, this can cause serious problems.
Both of these methods are not suitable for those people who are not doctors. Without proper preparation, it is very easy to harm the patient. Although doctors allow the use of the non-invasive method at home, you need to be extremely careful. It is necessary to monitor the patient's temperature level every minute and not to apply ice for too long.
Prevention
It is important to prevent the patient from having a fever after a stroke. For this, it is necessary to carry out several preventive measures. The patient needs to be periodically turned over. This is necessary in order to prevent the occurrence of pressure sores. This is especially important for paralyzed patients, since stagnation occurs in their body.
At home, it is recommended to use specialized anti-decubitus mattresses. In addition, rolling over in bed is also necessary in order to withstand the probable development of pneumonia. It will not be superfluous to use massage. Such measures are also useful if the patient is diagnosed with pneumonia. Massage treatments promote better sputum removal.
It is very important to monitor patient hygiene. If he does not go through daily procedures, then this can lead to infectious diseases. You need to understand that the body after the blow is greatly weakened. Its protective and other functions do not work as expected. Therefore, it is also necessary to exclude possible contacts with people suffering from viral pathologies.
The room where the patient is located should be periodically ventilated. However, the patient should not be allowed to be in a draft. In addition, in the ward or room, you need to daily wet cleaning. If the patient suffers from allergies, it is important to exclude any contact with irritants.
Finally
If a person has suffered a stroke, then during the recovery period he must very carefully monitor his health. It is necessary to check the temperature level daily and, if it rises, consult a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to pinpoint the causes of fever and prescribe appropriate treatment or preventive measures.