Stroke are a frightening experience, and once it is over, you may wonder if you will be able to get back to normal life any time soon. While it is difficult to do so, it can be done with patience and the right treatment schedule. Keep reading for tips on recovering from a stroke.
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The Doctors Mean Well
It may seem like you do not get any rest when all of the medical staff comes in to poke and prod at you, but they do not mean to irritate you. Unfortunately, when you have a stroke, it means that there will need to be an extensive amount of testing done even before your treatment schedule is set. Depending on the severity of the stroke as well as other factors including any medical complications you may have, they may need to do even more testing. Even though it may seem difficult to do so, please keep in mind that all they want to do is help you recover as fast as possible.
Do Not Strain Yourself
If you are the type to get up and go, you will probably have a hard time staying in bed. However, when you have suffered a stroke, rest is a must. In order for your muscles to have a chance at a full recovery, you need to stay in bed, as tempting as it might be to try and move around before you are ready to do so. Rest gives your cells time to repair and replace themselves as is necessary, and because you have suffered a stroke, it will take a lot more rest than you are used to taking. Your doctor should be able to tell you how much rest you are expected to get depending on the severity of your condition.
Rehab Is Not a Bad Word
Inpatient rehabilitation may seem frightening for some, and if it sounds frightening to you, it is alright. There are many different kinds of rehab, and the rehab that you will go to, if it is determined that you need it, is specially designed to help you recover and regain mobility. Physical therapists, nurses and doctors at the rehab facility are usually trained specifically to care for recovering stroke patients, and the facility might provide treatments that you may not be able to get elsewhere as easily. Such treatments might include electrical stimulation or access to machines that are limited to rehab facilities. You can also mentally practice on your own, as the brain needs to be kept in top shape to recover from the paralysis as quickly as possible.
There Is a Time Window
You do not have forever and a day to recover from your stroke. Recovery progress usually dwindles after about six months, and after that point, improvement may still be possible but it could be so slow that you do not notice yourself recovering. Anything left untreated for too long has a higher chance of becoming permanent the longer it goes unresolved, and this is true for the paralysis caused by a stroke. Make sure that your treatment schedule fits within that time frame, and talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the rate at which you are recovering.
Things May Not Go Back to Normal
After you have recovered from your stroke, you might find that life has changed even though you are back on your feet. Your doctor will probably give you a list of foods that you will be recommended to either severely limit or eliminate from your diet altogether. Some of these foods include processed foods and foods high in saturated fats. If you have children, they may want to take you into their home instead of having you live by yourself in case another stroke occurs. Take these things as they come, and though it is hard, know that everyone just wants to see you safe and healthy.
Strokes can devastate someone and take their independence from them, and it can be embarrassing and infuriating to the patient. Keep these tips in mind if you or a loved one ever has a stroke so there can be a smoother transition. The road to recovery is long, but help is to be had all the way.
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