As one gets older, there tend to be more health challenges to face. Being aware of the types of food you eat, maintaining your activity levels, reducing stress and managing any chronic conditions may seem trivial and can often be overlooked. They are, however, very important and, if neglected, could potentially result in future health complications.
A Cardiovascular Accident, commonly known as “stroke”, is just one of the many complications faced by the elderly population. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is prevented, which then deprives the brain of oxygen and blood causing the death of brain cells. The effects of a stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long term disability and can be fatal.
There are two types of strokes known:
- Ischemic stroke: a blood clot in a blood vessel of the brain cuts off blood flow.
- Haemorrhagic stroke: a rupture of a blood vessel within the brain prevents blood flow.
Transient Ischemic Attack or “ TIA” is another condition that is similar to a stroke, or can be considered as a minor stroke. This can be caused by the disruption of blood supply to the brain for short duration and symptoms may only last for 24 hours or less. A person who suffers a TIA is at higher risk for a major stroke.
Common causes and risk factors:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases – can cause blood clots that lead to stroke if not treated
- Smoking – can damage blood vessels and cause an increase in blood pressure
- Family history of stroke or TIA
- Age – as you get older, your risk of stroke increases.
- Obesity
Symptoms and what to look out for:
There are a few signs that occur prior to suffering a stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm or leg.
- Sudden confusion, difficulty understanding or articulating speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination and dizziness.
If you feel that you or someone you know may be having a stroke, there is a F.A.S.T way to assess:
- F – Face: Ask the person to smile, notice if one side of the face is drooping.
- A – Arm weakness: Ask them to raise both arms, notice if there is weakness or difficulty lifting one arm.
- S – Speech: Is the person able to speak clearly or understand what is being said; take notice of slurred speech.
- T – Time: If the person is experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to call the ambulance.
Immediate medical attention is required to ensure a good prognosis. If symptoms are left untreated for long durations, it may worsen and become more difficult to recover.
The medical treatment provided would depend on the type of stroke suffered. For ischemic strokes, the aim is to restore blood flow to the brain and with haemorrhagic strokes, the aim is to control the bleeding.
Some people may suffer with one or more of the following symptoms following a stroke:
- Paralysis or weakness of one or both sides of the body.
- Numbness or tingling sensation on the affected side.
- Pain felt upon movement of hands or legs on the affected side.
- Difficulty with understanding or articulating speech.
- Difficulty with reading and writing.
- Difficulty with chewing or swallowing.
- Difficulty controlling bowel/bladder movements.
- Difficulty with thinking and memory retention.
- Muscle stiffness or limp muscles noted on the affected side.
- Balance problems.
- Changes to your sense of perception (knowing where your body is in space).
- Mood changes, such as feeling sad or depressed.
Recovery after a stroke will occur over the next few months, as the swelling in the brain reduces and the nerves adapt to undertake several functions that were comprised during the stroke. This can continue years after the stroke has occurred as you continue to build strength and endurance.
Rehabilitation aims to maximise physical functionality and promote independence.
Rehabilitation should commence within the first few days after the stroke has occurred. This aids in the transition from hospital to home and may prevent further complications. The rehabilitation team includes a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals, of whom physiotherapists play an integral role.
Physiotherapy improves functional mobility. This includes movements such as rolling to one side of the bed, sitting, standing, walking and improving the functional use of your arms. Physiotherapists also focus on components that aid in and are significant for functional mobility, such as:
- Improving active range of motion of the limbs
- Muscle strengthening
- Improving sensation, coordination and sense of perception
- Balance in sitting and standing
- Endurance
Physiotherapists will assess your symptoms and design a treatment plan that is individualised and appropriate for you. This is to ensure you are receiving effective treatment tailored to your needs and goals. They will also determine whether you may need an assistive device and which device is best suited for you.
“Prevention is better than cure” as the saying goes and it couldn’t be more true. There are multiple ways in which you can stay healthy to prevent a stroke from happening. Here are a few tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid the risks:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Increase physical activity
- Reduce or quit smoking
- Control your chronic conditions. If you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and/or cholesterol, you run a high risk of suffering a stroke. It is suggested that you have these conditions checked regularly and to be diligent with taking your prescribed medication.
Getting older is not easy. It makes one more vulnerable to developing chronic illnesses and susceptible to more health complications. If you can maintain a healthy lifestyle, keep up your physical activity and control your chronic conditions, you can still live life to the fullest and get the best moments out of it.
Teneil Ramauttar
Riley Physiotherapists Inc.
