CONDITIONS TREATED
Stroke
"Stroke" is the common description of the damage caused by an interruption of blood supply to a specific area of the brain. The brain needs a steady supply of nutrients and oxygen. If the brain is deprived of the nutrients, cells can be damaged or die. The death of brain cells is the cause of the common symptoms of a stroke with the severity of the symptoms being related to the amount and location of the damage.
There are certain common symptoms of a stroke including the following:
- Paralysis or weakness of one side of the body
- Dysarthria - muscles of speech impaired causing slurring
- Dysphagia - muscles of swallowing impaired
- Visual deficits - double vision, decreased visual acuity
- Sensory impairment - absent or diminished response to touch, pain, pressure
- Dysphasia - difficulty in expression and/or comprehension
- Intellectual impairment - memory loss, poor judgement or reasoning
Despite the seriousness of the condition, there is now much that can be done to improve the life of a stroke victim and much that can be done to help the patient's family cope longer term. The sooner rehabilitation treatment begins, the better the chance of a good outcome.