Post-stroke care

A stroke is a dangerous disease that affects parts of the brain. After a stroke, a long period of rehabilitation therapy follows. The complexity of the disease can be expressed in the complete immobility of the patient. Caring for such patients is especially important and requires patience from others. You need to understand that even with severe brain damage, there is hope for recovery, subject to the implementation of medical recommendations.

Care after a stroke

When blood vessels malfunction in the head due to vascular formation or sudden spasms, the pressure inside increases and leads to negative consequences.

In medicine, there are two types of stroke lesions:

• hemorrhagic. There is a hemorrhage inside the skull. The development of the disease occurs quickly and in an acute form;
• ischemic. The development of the disease occurs gradually. As a result of atherosclerotic lesions of blood vessels passing through the brain. An important role is played by the defeat of the heart by coronary heart disease.

The first form of stroke disease occurs against the background of high blood pressure. The first signs appear unexpectedly, the person faints. The area of ​​distribution of the hematoma inside the cranium depends on the rate of blood flow from the destroyed vessel and the speed of providing medical care. The sooner the bleeding is stopped, the greater the chance of a subsequent recovery of health.

The rehabilitation period is a difficult time not only for the patient, but also for others. The lack of qualified assistance leads to further disruption of the functioning of internal systems.

Recovery period at home

Often people who have suffered as a result of a hemorrhage undergo a rehabilitation period at home, since treatment in a hospital or sanatorium requires certain financial costs. But thanks to medical recommendations and the patience of a person, you can achieve positive results in care after a stroke at home.

Rehabilitation, in addition to treating the consequences of the disease, implies the implementation of preventive measures to prevent the development of complications. Therapy is aimed at relieving pain, discomfort, significantly improving the quality of life of the patient.

Diet

Diet food for an affected person consists of dishes containing a wide variety of foods. The patient's diet should be saturated not only with the necessary nutrients. It is necessary that the body receives more antioxidants, vitamin complexes, natural stimulants of tissue regeneration. Then the process of returning health will be faster and less painful.

It is necessary to follow the rule when preparing food for the patient:

• food contains less fat of animal origin. Limit flour and confectionery products. Products provoke the accumulation of cholesterol in the vessels, which leads to blockage of the blood flow, contributing to a recurrent stroke;
• completely exclude smoked, spicy and spicy dishes from the diet. Consumption excites the nervous system, blood pressure increases;
• alcohol and cigarettes should be withdrawn from use;
• the consumption of low-fat varieties of fish, meat, dairy products, cereals has a beneficial effect on health. Products are steamed, stewed or boiled;
• limit the consumption of meat and potatoes to 3 times in 7 days;
• include in the diet products of the legume family, various seafood. More vegetables and fruits. You can add real unrefined vegetable oil to dishes;
• blueberries should also be on the menu. This berry contains a large amount of vitamins and antioxidants.

Sufficient fluid intake contributes to the proper functioning of the digestive tract, which helps to absorb nutrients. In the absence of contraindications and after consulting a doctor, consume up to two liters of non-carbonated mineral water. It is recommended to add vitamins to the liquid.

In case of serious damage to the parts of the brain, when the swallowing function is difficult, feeding is prescribed through a special probe.

Physiotherapy procedures

When a person is in a supine position, muscle atrophy occurs, blood vessels lose their tone, which negatively affects the general condition of the patient. This is why it is so important to exercise during the care of a patient after a stroke at home.

The first period, lasting a month, a person should stay in bed and try to roll over from side to side so that bedsores do not form. Then passive loads begin. This is necessary to relieve spasmodic phenomena in the muscles, to prepare for heavy loads. The following physical exercises are introduced gradually as far as possible, becoming more intense.

For the victims, therapeutic massage and physiotherapy procedures are prescribed. When carrying out this type of rehabilitation measures, some rules should be observed when caring for a patient after a stroke:

• rehabilitation should start as soon as possible. This increases the chances of improving health;
• breaks in physical therapy are not allowed. This means that classes are held every day;
• start with simple exercises, each time complicating. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the patient's condition;
• pain or discomfort during the exercise is not allowed;
• Before the next lesson, you need to warm up the muscles. For this, massage is used, you can simply rub your arms, legs, back;
• when there is no exercise, the joints are placed in an extended position and tied to a hard surface.

Gradually, when the patient can get up, you need to take small walks, add swimming in the pool. When the human body is in water, muscles relax, there are no loads, but the body continues to maintain tone.

speech, memory

Often, as a result of an attack of a stroke, the speech department and the memory department in the brain are affected. After intensive care in the hospital, a rehabilitation period begins, a person learns to speak again, trains memory.

Less than half of patients with impaired speech regain knowledge of how to speak, memory returns. But this rarely happens. Basically, patients re-learn to pronounce sounds, letters. The process takes a long time from one to three years. Classes are conducted by a speech pathologist. If the family cannot pay for the services of a specialist, then one of the caring relatives can conduct classes.

Additional ways to restore speech skills:

• in the room where the patient is located, ensure the sound of music and words;
• sing. Often, even after severe defeats, the ability to sing remains;
• mimic exercise. By restoring the sensitivity of the muscles on the face, a person will be able to repeat individual sounds faster, gradually moving to more complex harmonies;
• conduct exercises where language is involved. These are tongue movements aimed at twisting it, sticking it out, trying to lick your lips;
• daily repetition of sounds, letters, syllables. Gradual combination of them into words, then into sentences. Acting on the principle: from simple to complex;
• when the patient restores enough speech activity, you can switch to playing rhymes, tongue twisters.

The memory recovery procedure should begin immediately as soon as the patient emerges from an acute critical condition after suffering a stroke. At first, drugs are involved in this. Medications are prescribed aimed at expanding the channels in the blood vessels, have a specific effect on higher mental functions (nootropics), strong sedatives (tranquilizers). Medicines help restore the functioning of the brain, increase the functioning of brain tissue cells. As the patient's condition improves, exercises aimed at training memory are introduced. You can start playing different board games with the patient, ask him to memorize words, texts, dates.

Psyche

Any disease that leads to the distance of a person from people becomes a stressful situation. This is especially true for patients who have had a stroke. The patient cannot go outside, go to the park or invite friends. This is the hardest part of post-stroke care.

There is a disconnection not only from society. The patient withdraws into himself, refuses the help of loved ones. The impact of mental health on the physical condition of the patient is negative, rehabilitation is slow and does not bring the desired results.

In order for the victim to feel confident in his abilities, to feel the support of his relatives, it is required from the first day to ensure an active social life. Constant communication, funny stories, stories will help a person not to become isolated, but to strive for a full recovery and help relatives in every possible way.

bedsores

Constant lying in a supine position leads, provokes the appearance of bedsores. However, this can be avoided by taking preventive measures:

• under the places where the greatest pressure is exerted, rubber circles designed for such purposes should be placed;
• Turn the patient over once every two hours;
• Permanent massage, gymnastics;
• Regular examination of the body for the first signs of bedsores;
• Places that are most susceptible to the appearance of inflammatory processes must be constantly treated with antiseptic preparations;
• Frequent change of linen: sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover;
• Wet cleaning should be not only the premises, but also the patient. Thorough washing of all problem areas.

Today there are special mattresses designed for bedridden patients. These products independently regulate the pressure in places where the affected areas most often occur.

Hospital of the neurological department

Undoubtedly, care for patients after a stroke in a hospital will be provided much better than it can be done at home. All actions are entrusted to nurses, who not only dispense medicines. Nurses perform a number of other procedures: feed, water, perform hygiene measures.

Their responsibilities include prevention of: bedsores, blood clots, pneumonia, contractures. Care begins when the patient enters the hospital.

While in the neurological department, the patient is prescribed rehabilitation therapy, even if he is lying down. The intensity of the measures taken depends on the severity of the patient's condition. The sooner the activation is done, the greater the chances of restoring basic functions.

Often a stroke causes a state of coma or stupor. In this case, the patient is not able to provide self-service, the help of third parties is required. The nurse ensures hygiene for such patients: washing the face, brushing the teeth and mouth, moist eye care. This is done every day. Washing is necessary after each emptying, washing the hair and rubbing the body at least 3 times in 7 days. After water procedures. The skin is thoroughly dried. Particular attention during water procedures should be given to folds. They need not only to be washed, but also dried, then apply a cream or ointment consisting of dexpanthenol.

When caring for a stroke survivor, rehabilitation should begin as early as possible. Conduct recovery exercises for muscles, speech and memory. Monitor the condition of the skin, prevent the formation of bedsores. Regularly carry out hygiene procedures. The main thing is to be patient and believe in success.