Post Acute Rehabilitation For Strokes
At Santé, several patients come to us for post acute rehabilitation as a result of a stroke. In our experience, we have found that the more patients know about their condition and what to expect as they recover, the more successful their recovery will be. Here, we explain stroke in simple-to-understand terms including cause, symptoms, treatment, and recovery to empower our patients to heal.
What is a stroke?
Many patients who suffer from a stroke know what the term means, but they don’t understand exactly what a stroke does to the body. A stroke occurs when blood is not able to reach part of the brain. The longer blood flow is restricted, the longer cells go without oxygen. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to diminish. The death of these cells results in loss of certain functions and abilities, such as speech, muscle control, and memory. The severity of the stroke depends on the size of the affected area. A small stroke can result in limited disability, while a significant stroke can result in complete paralysis on one side of the body.
What causes a stroke?
There are two kinds of stroke: hemorrhagic, which results from a bleed in the brain, and ischemic, which results from a blood clot in the vessels that carry blood to the brain. Ischemic stroke is most common. Blood clots can form anywhere in the body and travel to the brain. The most common causes of ischemic stroke include:
- an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, which can cause clots to develop in the heart and travel to the brain
- diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity
- a sedentary lifestyle; people who exercise five times a week are less likely to suffer from a stroke
- tobacco use
- alcohol use
In addition, stroke risk doubles every decade after age 55 and women are more likely to experience a stroke than men.
What can I expect during recovery?
Stroke recovery can take many months, and part of recovery is often acceptance and adaptation to a new disability. While some patients experience a full recovery, others may experience some kind of lasting disability. Short-term rehabilitation is commonly required.
At Santé, we have extensive experience helping patients recover and adapt after a stroke. Our post acute rehabilitation units are designed for patients just like you. To learn more, visit one of our local Santé locations or call us at (480) 563-2402.