The rehabilitation process after a stroke

Rehabilitation:

A stroke can impact various areas of the brain, resulting in diverse consequences. The extent of the affected tissue, the location of the stroke, and the timing of treatment all play a role in determining the specific outcomes. 

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. The impact of a stroke is devastating; it is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death. Previous studies have reported disability rates among stroke survivors to be around 22-40% at the 6-month follow-up and 29-44% at the 10-year follow-up.

Possible consequences of a stroke in the medium term:

• Difficulty speaking (dysarthria)
• Inability or difficulty communicating (aphasia)
• Loss of movement
• Vision difficulties
• Twisted mouth or facial paralysis on one side
• Impaired bladder and bowel control
• Swallowing difficulties

Where is it performed?

After a usually brief hospital stay, the majority of patients are discharged and begin their therapy plan, which is typically conducted in the same hospital during multiple sessions. It is important to complement this work with exercises at home, while also considering the importance of rest for recovery. 

Prognosis:

Just as the consequences of a stroke can vary among patients, so can the prognosis for recovery. For instance, strokes that affect consciousness or cause extensive damage to the left side of the brain tend to have more severe outcomes. However, various studies have shown that patients who undergo a rehabilitation program tend to have better outcomes compared to those who do not. The recovery rate is generally highest in the days and months following the stroke, but there have been cases of continued improvement in performance even 12 to 18 months after the event.