Stroke Treatment
There is a surplus of information on stroke treatment, and procedures to both manage the immediate and long-term effects of a stroke in an effort to minimize damage, and prevent future emergencies. Accepted stroke treatment includes surgery, medications, hospital care and rehabilitation.
Initially, stroke treatment in focused on minimizing damage and treating the affected area of the brain (location of blood clot or brain hemorrhage). While this is taking place, your blood pressure and breathing are closely monitored.
Stroke Treatment
Surgery is then considered to either remove build up in important arteries in the neck – specifically the carotid artery – or using a technique to put balloons, stents (small straws used to keep narrow or blocked passages open), or coils in blood vessels in the neck and brain.
Another common stroke treatment is the clot-dissolving drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Considering blood clots cause about 80% of all strokes, this can be an attractive stoke treatment method, and though it carries risks, the benefits of dissolved blood clots far outweigh the risks, especially if an experienced doctor is administering the drug. For maximum stroke treatment, the procedure should begin within 3 hours.
Since strokes can be caused by blockages in the heart coming loose and traveling to the brain, sometimes stroke treatment involves heart treatment. Damaged heart valves can be treated surgically or with medication.
Some additional aspects of stroke treatment include possible depression management, with therapy or medication. The need for a caregiver or care facility should also be considered; however, it is important to keep the following in mind:
Many people do successfully recover. While it isn’t possible to predict how much physical or mental ability can be regained, immediate recovery is the best indicator.
Progress is the greatest in the first 6 weeks (regaining ability to walk), and the majority of recovery occurs in the first 3 months. Speech, balance and motor skills return more slowly and continue for up to a year.
And never forget, stroke treatment can be extremely important in the form of support and encouragement from family and loved ones.
