Stroke treatment and recovery involves IV medications in the beginning, and oral meds during the recovery phase of rehab. Initial goal is to restore blood flow and begin the recovery process. It is important to get medical treatment preferably within 3 hours. An undiagnosed stroke can lead to severe brain damage and even death.
Stroke is caused by two types of blood clots. The first, embolus is when a piece of a clot breaks free and travels to another area of the body. The second, called a thrombus is a blood clot which forms inside the artery and does not travel.
Medications:
Stroke medications are utilized to restore blood flow to the body. Certain medications are administered to dissolve clots and other medications are used to prevent cells from adhering to each other and forming a blood clot.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator ( tPA): Is a clot busting medication given through an IV line, administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. It works by breaking down the fibrin strands, and can only be given for ischemic strokes.
Antiplatelet Meds: Prevent platelet cells from adhering to each other. Aspirin Aggrenox Plavix: Is an antiplatelet to slow clotting time. Aggrenox and Plavix replace aspirin when it is contraindicated. The inhibition of clotting can lead to severe bleeding episodes, and is a side effect of using these drugs.
Anticoagulants:
Heparin Warfarin (Coumadin)
Used in the prevention of blood clots in the heart due to atrial facilitation, anticoagulants also come with certain risk for side effects. These include bruising and hemorrhage.
For those on anticoagulants, Vitamin K intake must be monitored. The body requires Vitamin K for its natural ability to clot; therefore this vitamin can affect the ability of Heparin and Coumadin to work properly. Green vegetables are where vitamin K is commonly found and while you don't need to give them up, your doctor may need to monitor you or adjust your medication.
Recovery:
Once a patient is stable they will be released from the hospital to either a rehab facility, home and outpatient therapy or home where therapy can commence. There is no set timeframe for recovery and treatment. It can last six months or longer and is a lifelong endeavor for the patient.
Family members must be ready to adjust to the changes in lifestyle that are bound to occur. In addition, the patient and care giver must have time to settle into a routine in order to make the lifestyle changes much less traumatic. In addition, changes to the living environment may also need to be made including hand rails in the bathroom and wheelchair ramps.
If the patient is now confined to a bed, purchasing a hospital bed can be very beneficial. These specialized beds aid in preventing bed sores on areas such as elbows, heels and pelvis bones. When a patient is bed ridden, it is imperative that they be turned from the left side to the right propped up with a pillow every two hours. This regimen will assist in alleviating the onset of bedsores. If skin breakdown presents, showing red areas of the skin, consult a physician to prevent unnecessary infection.
Skin breakdown can become very serious in a short amount of time.
Stroke is caused by two types of blood clots. The first, embolus is when a piece of a clot breaks free and travels to another area of the body. The second, called a thrombus is a blood clot which forms inside the artery and does not travel.
Medications:
Stroke medications are utilized to restore blood flow to the body. Certain medications are administered to dissolve clots and other medications are used to prevent cells from adhering to each other and forming a blood clot.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator ( tPA): Is a clot busting medication given through an IV line, administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. It works by breaking down the fibrin strands, and can only be given for ischemic strokes.
Antiplatelet Meds: Prevent platelet cells from adhering to each other. Aspirin Aggrenox Plavix: Is an antiplatelet to slow clotting time. Aggrenox and Plavix replace aspirin when it is contraindicated. The inhibition of clotting can lead to severe bleeding episodes, and is a side effect of using these drugs.
Anticoagulants:
Heparin Warfarin (Coumadin)
Used in the prevention of blood clots in the heart due to atrial facilitation, anticoagulants also come with certain risk for side effects. These include bruising and hemorrhage.
For those on anticoagulants, Vitamin K intake must be monitored. The body requires Vitamin K for its natural ability to clot; therefore this vitamin can affect the ability of Heparin and Coumadin to work properly. Green vegetables are where vitamin K is commonly found and while you don't need to give them up, your doctor may need to monitor you or adjust your medication.
Recovery:
Once a patient is stable they will be released from the hospital to either a rehab facility, home and outpatient therapy or home where therapy can commence. There is no set timeframe for recovery and treatment. It can last six months or longer and is a lifelong endeavor for the patient.
Family members must be ready to adjust to the changes in lifestyle that are bound to occur. In addition, the patient and care giver must have time to settle into a routine in order to make the lifestyle changes much less traumatic. In addition, changes to the living environment may also need to be made including hand rails in the bathroom and wheelchair ramps.
If the patient is now confined to a bed, purchasing a hospital bed can be very beneficial. These specialized beds aid in preventing bed sores on areas such as elbows, heels and pelvis bones. When a patient is bed ridden, it is imperative that they be turned from the left side to the right propped up with a pillow every two hours. This regimen will assist in alleviating the onset of bedsores. If skin breakdown presents, showing red areas of the skin, consult a physician to prevent unnecessary infection.
Skin breakdown can become very serious in a short amount of time.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and established health writer on Clivir.com where she shares her experience and knowledge about Stroke Recovery Recipes and Physical Effects of Stroke.
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