what questions to ask doctor when in rehab after stroke

What are good questions to ask your doctor?

Since you've recently had a stroke, ask your doctor these questions at your next visit. 1. How soon can I expect to recover after my stroke? 2. How will having a stroke change what I can and can't...

What questions should I ask the Doctor?

Sep 06, 2014 · What happens after treatment? If treatment involves recovery, how long will that take? What follow-up will be necessary? How long is a particular treatment likely to be effective? Who can I turn to for support (hospital staff, support groups, etc.)? Print this list, Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Stroke, here.

What to do during and after a stroke?

Jan 23, 2014 · Ask for a referral to an exercise therapist who specializes in stroke rehabilitation. What medications will my parent need to take -- and what are the likely side effects? The doctor has probably prescribed a bewildering array of different medications to your parent.

What questions should you ask before surgery?

Stroke Recovery and Arm Rehab: Important Questions . ... Becoming depressed after a stroke is very common. So ask your doctor about the symptoms of depression so that you and your caregivers know ...

What questions should I ask a neurologist after a stroke?

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a StrokeWhat caused my stroke? ... What can I do to reduce my risk? ... Am I getting the rehabilitation services I will need to achieve my goals? ... What are my treatment options? ... What kinds of health specialists are going to be a part of my stroke recovery team?More items...•Oct 15, 2009

What rehab is needed after stroke?

For most stroke patients, rehabilitation mainly involves physical therapy. The aim of physical therapy is to have the stroke patient relearn simple motor activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lying down, and the process of switching from one type of movement to another.

What happens in rehab after a stroke?

A physical therapy program may include exercises to strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and regain range of motion; and constraint-induced therapy, in which an unaffected limb is immobilized, causing the person to use the affected limb to regain movement and function.Nov 15, 2021

How long do you stay in rehab after stroke?

1–3 Months Post-Stroke “The first three months after a stroke are the most important for recovery and when patients will see the most improvement,” says Pruski. During this time, most patients will enter and complete an inpatient rehabilitation program, or make progress in their outpatient therapy sessions.

How do you cheer up a stroke victim?

Treat me the same way you did before my stroke. Our members said: ... Ask me how you can help and follow it through with actions. Our members said: ... Communicate with me, even when it is hard. Our members said: ... Understand that my life has changed. Our members said: ... Keep in touch. Our members said:

What is the best treatment for a stroke patient?

Emergency IV medication. An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for ischemic stroke. An injection of TPA is usually given through a vein in the arm within the first three hours.Jan 20, 2022

What should stroke patients avoid?

“The biggest things to cut back on are sugar, salt, highly processed foods, saturated and trans fats, and fried foods, as well as snacky-type foods,” says Chen, referring to packaged snack foods, including pretzels and chips.Jun 30, 2020

What is the fastest way to recover from a brain stroke?

How to Increase the Chance of Fast Stroke RecoveryDon't Overdo Physical Activity. Exercise is crucial because it increases the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the brain. ... Follow a Healthy Diet. Creating more neurons is the key to quick stroke recovery. ... Get Plenty of Rest. ... Use Respite Care.Jul 17, 2019

What percentage of stroke patients make a full recovery?

According to the National Stroke Association, 10 percent of people who have a stroke recover almost completely, with 25 percent recovering with minor impairments. Another 40 percent experience moderate to severe impairments that require special care.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Stroke

The following questions can help you talk to your physician about your individual risk of having a stroke. Print out or write down these questions and take them with you to your appointment. Taking notes can help you remember your physician’s response when you get home.

If You Have Had a Stroke

If you’ve had a stroke or mini stroke, it’s not unusual to feel concerned and want as much information as possible to speed your recovery and reduce your risk for having another stroke in the future. The following questions can lay the groundwork for a discussion between you and your physician.

What to do if you have a stroke?

Talk with your doctor about what symptoms or situations may indicate a call. However, if you notice any of the following signs of stroke, call 911 immediately. Don't delay -- minutes count when it comes to preventing damage from stroke. sudden numbness, paralysis, or weakness, especially on only one side of your body.

How long after a stroke is a second stroke?

The overall risk of a second stroke is highest right after a stroke. Three percent of survivors have a second stroke in the first 30 days, and one-third will have another within two years.

What is the name of the stroke that occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly cut off?

This is called an ischemic stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain.

Is depression normal after a stroke?

Post-stroke depression is thought to be caused in part by biochemical changes in the brain. It's also a completely normal reaction to the losses caused by a stroke. Whatever the reason, treatment is essential.

Can high blood pressure cause a second stroke?

High blood pressure is a common culprit in hemorrhagic stroke. Both of these conditions increase the risk of stroke, and managing them can help prevent a second stroke. 2.

What to do after a stroke?

One of the most important things to do after stroke — and never stop doing until you’re reached your fullest recovery — is rehab exercise. Rehab exercise helps rewire the brain and improve mobility long-term. When patients fail to do rehab exercises, their mobility may deteriorate and cause a regression.

How to recover from a stroke?

Planning and preparation are key if you want to recover from stroke as quickly as possible. As you or your loved one are leaving the hospital after stroke, be sure to keep your bases covered. Here’s a checklist of best practices when it comes to stroke recovery: 1. Know the warning signs of another stroke.

Why is every stroke different?

“ Every stroke is different .” You’ll hear this saying often during the recovery process because the brain is extremely complex; and the side effects of stroke vary greatly from person to person.

What is the first step after a stroke?

Immediately after a stroke, emergency medical treatment is necessary to stabilize your medical condition, then begin rehabilitation. During this initial time in the hospital, a team of therapy specialists initiate the rehabilitation process to regain lost function.

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

Therefore, it’s important to know the warning signs of stroke: facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, vertigo, sudden dizziness, changes in vision, or a severe headache. Education and awareness of these warning signs is crucial for timely treatment if another stroke occurs. 2.

How long does it take for a stroke to heal?

Often, there is spontaneous recovery during the first 3 months after stroke or even later during the recovery process. This means that the brain is naturally healing itself, and can be increased with attention/awareness of the affected side and exercises provided by your therapy team.

How to help a stroke victim with depression?

10. Invest in psychological care. Another type of therapy that often goes overlooked is psychotherapy, or “talk therapy.”. Many stroke survivors struggle with depression and anxiety — for various reasons that can include changes in independence, financial strain, or fear of another stroke.

What to do if someone has a stroke?

If a friend or loved one is exhibiting any of these symptoms, call 911 and get to a hospital. Don’t hesitate! Even if only some of the symptoms are present, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Be sure to take note of the time that the stroke symptoms started to show, even if they end up going away.

How many stroke patients recover?

Of all stroke patients, 10 percent will make a full recovery, while 25 percent will recover with minor impairments. Some patients (40 percent) will require special care due to more severe impairments, and 10 percent of individuals who had a stroke will need a nursing home or long-term care facility.

What does it mean when your face is uneven?

F: Face drooping. During a stroke, one side of the face can become numb or droop. This can cause a person’s smile to appear uneven. A: Arm weakness. A stroke will cause weakness in one arm or a feeling of numbness. If you ask a person who is having a stroke to raise both of their arms, one will drift downward.

How does a stroke affect the brain?

Strokes have a big impact on the brain and nervous system, and parts of the brain can experience cell damage. Fortunately, the damage is sometimes temporary, and even in cases where the stroke permanently kills brain cells, healthy areas of the brain have been known to take over for the damaged portions.

Can genetics cause strokes?

It does seem that genetics can play a role in the risk for strokes. Some of the conditions that can lead to stroke have hereditary links, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. If these conditions run in your family, there is a chance that you share those risk factors.

What is the sixth leading cause of death for children?

This includes teenagers, children, and even infants. In fact, stroke is the sixth leading cause of death for children, although as children get older, their odds of suffering from a stroke decrease (the greatest chance of having a stroke is during a baby’s first year).

How long does it take to recover from a stroke?

Some stroke patients recover rather quickly, but if the stroke or the related complications were severe, it can take months or years.