Today, 29th October 2023, is World Stroke day. The day is set aside by World Stroke Organization to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, institute skillful physiotherapy and ensure better care and support for survivors of stroke.
Stroke is a leading cause of death around the world. According to statistics, there are approximately eighty million stroke survivors with more than fifty million living with some form of permanent disability.
Really, stroke survivors face significant challenges that include physical disability, communication difficulties, changes in how they think and feel, loss of work, income and social networks. For many, life after stroke won’t be quite the same; but, with the right care, support and rehabilitation by way of good physiotherapy, living a meaningful life is still possible.
A Stroke is rapidly loss of brain function. It happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, brain cells can be damaged or destroyed. This damage can have different effects depending on where it happens in the brain. Ones body, mobility and speech, as well as how one think and feel, can all be affected. Recognizing the signs of a stroke such as drooping of the face on one side, one arm weaker than the other, difficulty in speaking or jumbled or slurred words and getting medical help fast are the best ways to improve the outcome of a stroke.
The word “stroke” indicates that no one is even prepared for this sudden and catastrophic event. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the developed world. It is common in Africa, but the exact prevalence rate in Nigeria has not been determined.
Some changes brought by stroke include loss of voluntary movement and in some cases loss of sight. This outcome may make a person suffering from the condition aggressive. Weakness of one side of the face may be present causing food or water to dribble from the weak side of the mouth. Sight of course, may be affected.
Stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any age – from babies to children and teens to the elderly. The effects and the type of support needed after a stroke vary, too. The uniting factor is the resilience and determination of stroke survivors to build on the things that stroke can’t take away and keep going on a recovery journey.
Nevertheless, the good news is that a stroke survivor can recoup some or all of his previous abilities when early rehabilitation by means of skillful physiotherapy care is put in place. For most stroke survivors, caregivers and families, life will be different. Accepting and adjusting to life after stroke is fundamental to recovery and well-being. By working with your physiotherapist and developing new routines and tracking small step-by-step goals, you can make progress. By so doing, it will not only bring solace to the stroke-disabled victim but will greatly improve his lost reflexes.
Administering good physiotherapy to stroke victims is somewhat labour-intensive. It is advisable to start when the patient is admitted in the hospital. He may be conscious or unconscious. Physiotherapy care is needed for some reasons; first to prevent spasticity- i.e involuntary tightening of muscles of the affected limbs, enhancing circulation of blood, maintaining joint mobility, improving sensation and many other reasons. This can be done passively or assisted or actively using electro-medical device or hands-on techniques. Skillful Physiotherapy care is absolutely imperative if a stroke survivor does not want to be severely disabled.
In line with the commemoration of the ideals of the world stroke day, Omega physiotherapy and back pain care clinics partner PAXS PHARMACY LTD, Onitsha and STROKE-DISABILITY CARE INITIATIVE, Abuja, to offer a one day intervention physiotherapy for stroke disabled persons. Time 9am- 4pm tomorrow, Monday, 30th October, 2023. Venue is Omega physiotherapy & back pain care clinics, Emma Nnaemeka street, off Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka, Anambra State.
Stroke survivors are advised to avail themselves of this uncommon exercise so as to improve their lost bodily functions.
WRITTEN BY DR CHARLES EHIRIM
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