Following a stroke, the patient may suffer one or more impairments. The brain sustains damage that can affect numerous physical and mental functions. The types of deficits that surface are based on the location of the brain in which the stroke occurs.

Some lost functions return quickly on their own. Others are regained over time as the brain attempts to reorganize them. Still others never return, which forces the survivor to learn new ways to perform old tasks.

Rehabilitation is a critical part of this process. Several professionals are involved to help the patient relearn functions that have been lost, or learn new strategies for accomplishing things. This article will provide an overview of the process. We\’ll first take a look at some of the functional deficits survivors experience. You\’ll then learn about the professionals who help to recover them.

Impairments That Can Result From A Stroke

Many people experience weakness or paralysis on one side of their bodies, typically the side opposite of the stroke. For example, if the event occurred on the left side of the brain, they might suffer weakness or paralysis on their right side.

Other patients endure a loss of short-term or long-term memory. This occurs when the stroke damages a part of the brain that is responsible for cognitive functions. The survivor may have difficulty learning new instructions (e.g. rules to a game) since she is unable to remember them.

Language impairments are another common deficit. This may involve an inability to speak, write, or understand what someone is saying. Side effects that impair language or speech are referred to as aphasia.

Some patients experience problems related to their vision. This results when damage occurs in the occipital lobe of the brain. The stroke survivor may see double, suffer one-sided blindness, or experience a condition known as central vision defect (i.e. a blind spot in the middle of the eye).

A stroke can also affect the patient\’s ability to reason, solve problems, gain spatial context, or control their emotions. Each of these side effects may present an obstacle to performing normal daily tasks.

The Role Of Physical Therapists

Physical therapists have a deep familiarity with anatomy as well as the processes involved with movement. They can evaluate the patient\’s physical deficits, and design exercises that will help overcome them. They will also help the patient relearn how to perform specific activities, or, if their impairments prevent them from doing so, devise alternative strategies for accomplishing them.

Occupational Therapists

The role of occupational therapists overlaps with that of physical therapists, though both are valuable to the post-stroke rehabilitation process. They are involved with helping the survivor learn to perform certain activities – namely, those that allow them to carry out routine tasks. The patient must learn how to take a shower, get dressed, and clean his or her living space.

Their focus is to break down complex tasks into individual components, and then help the survivor reconstruct them. Thus, the survivor can relearn how to walk, cook, and even drive a car.

Speech Therapists

It is estimated that over 25 percent of stroke survivors experience one or more language deficits (i.e. aphasia). Some lose the ability to speak clearly; others become unable to write; and still others have difficulty comprehending the speech of other people. These impairments often cause patients to withdraw from others since interacting with them may be difficult, or even impossible.

Speech therapists help survivors to overcome their language deficits, or learn substitute methods to communicate. If an impairment involves the patient\’s ability to speak, he or she is encouraged to repeat certain words and phrases. If it involves the ability to write, the survivor is asked to perform numerous writing exercises. A deficit in comprehension may be addressed by teaching the survivor to pick up on social cues.

It is possible for lost functions to return without rehabilitation. However, most stroke survivors show dramatic improvement with the help of trained therapists.

Find out more by visiting CVTSA and for detailed information on strokes and many other conditions, visit HealthFacts4U.com.

Find out more by visiting http://www.cvtsa.com and for detailed information on strokes and many other conditions, visit http://healthfacts4u.com.

Author Bio: Find out more by visiting CVTSA and for detailed information on strokes and many other conditions, visit HealthFacts4U.com.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Health, Doctor, Specialist, Treatment, Heart