Stroke

Overview   
Symptoms   
Treatment   
Products   
Resources

Strokes occur whenever an artery that supplies blood to the brain is clogged or ruptures. The brain needs to have a continuous flow of blood and oxygen in order to function properly. When the blood supply is interrupted and the brain cells are deprived of oxygen, cells immediately begin to die. If the obstruction lasts for more than a few minutes, this damage becomes permanent and often affects a persons sensory functions that include speech, vision, movement and memory.

The location of the stroke in the brain directly affects the outcome. Since one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke on one side of the brain will affect the neurological functions on the other side of the body. A stroke in the right side of the brain could result in vision problems, memory loss and paralysis on the left side of the body. A stroke in the left side of the brain could result in speech and language problems, memory loss and paralysis on the right side of the body.

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Symptoms and Treatment

Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every minute of every day. Reducing your risk of having a stroke is the best way to prevent a stroke from occurring. The factors beyond a persons control are genetics (i.e., family history of having strokes), age, sex and race. The factors you can control include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, weight, lack of exercise, drinking and stress.

Strokes usually occur suddenly without any warning and require immediate emergency medical treatment. However, there are several early warning signs of strokes:

• Loss of speech;
• Numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body;
• Dizziness and severe headache;
• Blurred vision; and
• Difficulty swallowing.

A persons recovery from a stroke is often directly related to how quickly they are treated by emergency healthcare professionals. The location and degree of brain damage also affects their ability to recover. Professional rehabilitation is sometimes needed to relearn motor and speech skills, as well as learning how to function with their new physical limitations.

When a stroke patient is initially confined to bed, they must be monitored in order to prevent bed sores, pneumonia and muscle atrophy. Exercise is important, even while in bed. Intensive rehab is vital from the beginning and includes the complete team of healthcare professionals: primary care physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and home care nurses.

Rehab can take days, weeks, months and even years. Statistically, the most improvement in movement, speech and vision occurs within the first three weeks after a stroke. Mobility often takes up to six months to improve. And complete recovery or rehab to their new level of ability can take up to two years. New studies have shown that a familys involvement and support during rehab plays a major part in this process and often determines its success or failure.

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Stroke Products

Homecare Bedroom set-ups provide all of the products available that help to improve their daily quality of life. These include:

• Hospital Beds in semi-electric or full electric versions allow the patient to separately raise or lower the head and feet and are often outfitted with bedrails to prevent accidental falls.
• Bed Accessories include egg crate mattresses, low air loss and gel mattresses to help prevent and reduce bedsores for patients who spend a great amount of time in their beds.
• Over-Bed Tables are similar to those used in the hospital for eating and reading in bed. They are available in flat or tilting models which aid in reading.
• Bedside Commodes are stand-alone toilet seats with a removable pail for people who are unable to walk to the bathroom. They can also be easily converted to a raised toilet seat to be used directly over the toilet.
• Patient Lifts and Slings assist in transferring patients from their beds to a wheelchair, bedside commode or bedside chairs. They are available in manual and fully electric models and accommodate all weight capacities.
• Trapeze Bars hang over a patients bed and assist them in lifting themselves to a sitting position or to change positions in bed.
• Lift Chairs come in numerous styles, fabric grades and colors and assist patients with difficulty getting up from a chair but activating an electric chair that causes the chair to raise the patient to a standing position. All lift chairs also partially or fully recline with an elevated leg rest.
• Safety Polls and Rails offer stability when rising or sitting as well as from accidental falls in the bed or bathroom.

Mobility products help the patient with ambulation and/or mobility either within or outside of the home. These include:

• Canes are used by people who are independent enough to use a one-handed walking aid. They have fairly good balance and just need the added stability and support that a cane provides. Canes are used in the hand that is on the opposite side of the body that is weaker or injured. They are available in numerous sizes, handles and styles. Aside from the traditional umbrella handle, ergonomic and orthopedic grip handles are now available. Wood canes are sized by cutting with a saw. Aluminum canes are adjusted by using a spring button.
• Quad Canes have a base with four points of contact on the floor to provide extra stability and support for people when walking. They are available with a small or large base and their size is selected according to the amount of support needed by the person.
• Forearm Crutches are used by people who have long-term or permanent mobility problems. The cuffs on the top of the crutches wrap around the forearms while the orthopedic handles are gripped below. The height is adjustable at the base with a spring button, and they are available in adult and child sizes.
• Walkers help people remain mobile by providing stability and support while walking. They transfer most of the weight and work from the users legs and feet to their arms and hands. Walkers are available in rigid and folding models, plus a variety of accessories are available such as wheels, baskets, pouches, backpacks, glide brakes, seats, trays and glass holders.
• Rollators are walkers with wheels and brakes to eliminate having to lift the walker to walk. They feature small or large wheels for indoor and outdoor use, respectively. Brakes offer extra security when going down inclines. The walkers fold for transport and many have seats so users can sit and rest when they get tired.

The U-Step Walking Stabilizer is specifically designed to assist stroke patients with their mobility.  View and learn more about it under the "New Products" section. 

• Manual Wheelchairs are no longer one size fits all and are available in a variety of styles and sizes. The standard basic wheelchair folds easily for transport, has locking wheels, detachable foot rests that swing-away for transferring, footplates, elevating leg rests and arm rests that are either permanent full length or removable desk length. Optional features include reclining backs, adjustable seat length, hemi or low seat frames, articulating footrests, solid tires and anti-tipping devices.
• Transport or Companion Wheelchairs are popular with caregivers because they have four small wheels for convenience when transporting the chair in a car or other form of transportation. They are available in very lightweight models and are designed to be pushed by the caregiver.
• Lightweight Wheelchairs are also popular with end-users as they weigh so much less than standard chairs and are easier to self-propel. They are preferred for outdoor usage and wheelchair sports.
• Power Wheelchairs are motorized wheelchairs that are controlled by either a joy stick or a puff mechanism. These are primarily used by quadriplegics or people with medical conditions who are extremely weak and cannot push themselves in a manual wheelchair.
• Scooters or Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) provide motorized transportation for individuals who either need or prefer power mobility. Scooters can be used indoors and outdoors and are available in both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive models. They also come in lightweight models that break down into smaller parts for easier transport.

Aids for Daily Living are helpful to help the patient remain independent and still function normally, such as when eating or dressing. These include:

• Reachers, Dressing Aids, Velcro Buttons, and Zipper Pullers
• Door Openers, Lamp Switches and Key Turners
• Pill Dispensers, Pill Cutters and Crushers, and Eye Droppers
• Long Handled Combs, Brushes and Bathing Tools
• Silverware, Plates, and Kitchen Aids to help open jar, containers and boxes.

Bath Safety Products help to maintain stability and compensate for loss of strength when toileting and bathing. These include:

• Bedpans and Urinals are available for patients who are unable to get up from bed to use a bedside commode or the bathroom.
• Elevated Toilet Seats enable patients who have difficultly in standing to remain independent in the bathroom.
• Bedside Commodes are stand-alone toilet seats with a removable pail for people who are unable to walk to the bathroom. They can also be easily converted to a raised toilet seat to be used directly over the toilet.
• Bath Chairs, Transfer Benches and Handheld Showers make getting into and out of the bathtub easier, safer and more convenient.
• Grab Bars provide stability when standing after sitting on the toilet or when entering and exiting the bath or shower.
• Personal Care items include sitz baths, lubricant jelly and gloves.
• Accessories include washcloths, shampoo sets, air fresheners, powders and ointments.

Nutritionals are liquid supplements that help people maintain their necessary daily intake of nutrients when they are unable to eat regular foods. Products are available that are especially formulated for weigh gain, diabetics, children, cancer, stroke patients (thickened beverages) and for wound care. Other products help add calories, fiber, and protein to the diet.

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Stroke Resources

American Stroke Association
888-478-7653
www.strokeassociation.org

American Heart Association (AHA)
800 242-8721
www.americanheart.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
www.ninds.nih.gov
 

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