What is a stroke?
Stroke is a
non-traumatic damage to the brain tissue caused by blockage in the vessels of
the brain (clots or gradual narrowing of the diameter of the vessels over time)
or bleeding, due to the disruption of the blood supply of an area of the brain.
What Are the Risk Factors for
Stroke?
Known risk factors for stroke are divided into two groups as modifiable and non-modifiable
risk factors. Non-modifiable risk factors include age, gender, race, family
history, previous stroke or obstruction attack history.
The modifiable risk factors are:
Studies show that approximately 90% of stroke cases
are due to modifiable risk factors and are therefore preventable.
What is the Clinical Picture as a
Result of Stroke?
As a result of stroke, a clinical picture may occur
in one half of the body depending on the lesion site (weakness), feeling
disorder, balance coordination disorder, speech and swallowing disorders,
urinary and fecal incontinence and cognitive function losses up to coma.
How is Stroke Treatment Done?
Stroke Treatment should start urgently after the stroke situation. If treatment is started
within hours, permanent damage to brain tissue can be prevented. Therefore, in
the early period, medical treatment is applied according to the type of stroke
and the clinical condition of the patient. Rehabilitation is also part of this
treatment and it is important to start it at an early stage.
What is the Purpose of Stroke
Rehabilitation?
The aim of the rehabilitation of stroke patients is
to ensure that patients live as independently as possible with maximum quality
of life. While it is primarily aimed to make the impaired functions functional
again, it is also one of the main objectives of the rehabilitation program to
treat a number of complications after stroke and to take all measures to
prevent possible complications.
What are the Most Important
Problems Requiring Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients?
Ambulation (walking) problems and loss of upper
extremity (arms and hands) function are at the forefront in patients after
stroke. In patients, especially the problems of standing up and walking are the
problems that lead to the most dependence. Shoulder, arm and hand problems are
important in terms of causing pain and causing limitations in daily living
activities.
Is There Recovery After a Stroke?
Who Needs a Rehabilitation Program?
About 10 percent of stroke patients are able to
return to work and activities of daily living without sequelae. 10 percent of
patients nevertheless need ongoing care in inpatient care centers. The
remaining 80 percent of patients need an active rehabilitation program.
Does the Brain Renew Itself? What
Is the Most Important Factor Affecting It?
In recent years, studies on neurophysiological
mechanisms have intensified and it has been understood that the brain has a
great potential for clinical recovery and adaptation after stroke. With this
mechanism called neuroplasticity, there is a restructuring in the brain and the
brain renews itself. And it has been seen that rehabilitation approaches are
the factor that works or activates this potential the best and it has been
understood that rehabilitation plays a key role in reducing post-stroke
sequelae and disability.
What are the complications
(problems) after stroke?
As a result of stroke, a clinical picture may occur in one half of the body ranging from motor
loss (weakness), feeling disorder, balance coordination disorder, speech and
swallowing disorders, urinary and fecal incontinence and cognitive function
losses to coma. In addition to these, complications such as joint contractures,
limitation of movement, spasticity, shoulder dislocation and shoulder pain,
bladder dysfunctions, bowel dysfunctions, deep vein thrombosis, speech
problems, swallowing problems, pressure sores, depression, sleep problems,
infections, bone resorption, falls and fractures, shoulder-hand syndrome,
brachial plexus lesion may occur.
What is done in the Stroke
Rehabilitation Program?
Within the stroke rehabilitation program, conventional treatment approaches such as range of motion
exercises, stretching exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, balance and
gait trainings, neurofacitation techniques as well as robotic rehabilitation,
pool treatments, mirror treatments, forced use treatments, virtual reality
treatments, biofeedback, functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation,
transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques are newer and more advanced rehabilitation approaches can also be
included in the treatment plan.