Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Whenever someone mentions the word stroke, it can definitely lead to some worrisome thoughts. According to data from the American Stroke Association, stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and about 800,000 people have a stroke every year in America. While it is the leading cause of long-term disability, it is also the most preventable cause of disability.

A stroke can happen at any time and occurs whenever blood can not get to an area of the brain due to blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture in the blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke). A TIA (transient ischemic attack), commonly known as a “mini-stroke”, is a temporary clot in a blood vessel and can also affect our brains. Blood vessels supply oxygen to our brain cells and when this oxygen is no longer available, the brain cells start to die, affecting abilities and bodily functions controlled by that area of the brain.

The effects of a stroke will vary based on location and how much of the brain has been affected. Neurological complications of the stroke could include any or all of the following:

• Paralysis on one side of the body
• Memory loss
• Vision problems (if right brain affected)
• Quick, inquisitive behavioral style (if right brain affected)
• Speech/language problems (if left brain affected)
• Slow, cautious behavioral style (if left brain affected)

If you suspect someone you know is having a stroke, remember to act FAST!
http://www.strokeassociation.org/idc/groups/stroke-public/@wcm/@hcm/@sta/documents/image/ucm_491241.jpg

• Face droop: Is one side of their face drooping down compared to the other? This should be fairly noticeable. You can also test this by asking them to smile. If only one side of their lips and cheeks move while the other side remains “frozen” or locked, they may be having a stroke.
• Arm weakness: Ask them to raise both arms and see if they can keep both arms up. Is one of the arms drifting downward, or unable to be moved?
• Speech difficulty: A person showing signs of a stroke will also have difficulty speaking. Ask them to try and say a simple sentence you know they can say. If their speech sounds slurred or inaudible, they may be having a stroke.
• Time to call 911: Especially with something like a stroke, time is of the essence. If you see any of these signs, be sure to call 911 immediately.

How can Physical therapy help?

A physical therapist can help you live a normal life without movement dysfunction, pain, or loss of balance.  The physical therapist will design a customized plan for you to practice at home and feel at ease

• Help you improve your balance and walking.
• Assistive devices fitting. Train to keep you mobile with orthoses, prostheses, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or robotics.
• Family and caregiver training.
• Train you to walk and increase movement coordination and muscular tones.

Treatments can include

• BWS: walking on the treadmill and decrease the amount of support as you build your posture, strength, coordination.
• Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT): Using a more affected arm and constraining your strong arm with a mitten to help strengthen and control movement.
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES): Using electrical stimulation to stimulate weak muscles and increase muscle control with movement.
• Motor imagery and mental practice: Stimulating your brain and practice with a mental image before performing a movement that increases neurons in your brain that is performing the movement.
• Virtual reality and interactive video games: Using keyboard, mouse, sensors to rewire your brain.  Increase brain stimulation and also improving on functional activities at home.
• Biofeedback: Using electrodes to detect muscle activity and how to improve muscle function with analysis.

One way to minimize the occurrence of a stroke is to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Ask a physical therapist to learn more about how physical therapy, fitness programs or nutrition to have a healthy, more active you.