Table of contents:
- Fast damage, slow recovery
- Healing after a stroke
- Edema of the brain
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Recovery of the brain
Stroke is a medical emergency. Stroke attacks are fast and occur suddenly. Urgent medical attention is needed to prevent further damage. However, the recovery process usually tends to be slow and arduous.
Stroke is an active and ongoing disease. Brain injury that occurs suddenly and reduces neurological abilities is shocking indeed. Stroke is a brief occurrence and will develop dramatically during the first few hours. In the first few days, the injuries and disabilities resulting from stroke will peak and then stabilize on their own.
Fast damage, slow recovery
The damage from a stroke is rapid and aggressive.
Recovery has been slow and gradual. Recovery and healing can occur spontaneously. However, there is medical assistance that can help maximize the functional recovery process. Generally, stroke management helps improve overall outcome after stroke, but usually treatment does not speed up the rate of recovery.
Healing after a stroke
Edema of the brain
Stabilization is the first step in stroke recovery. After a stroke, many develop inflammation of the brain that is similar to swelling after an injury, such as the lumps or swelling seen in the arms and legs after an injury. This swelling, called edema, is part of the body's healing mechanism. The swelling consists of a mixture of fluid and inflamed cells.
Since the brain is encased in the skull, there is not much room to accommodate this swelling. Thus, the edema that appears after a stroke can put pressure on the brain and worsen stroke symptoms, even if only temporarily. Edema begins to develop 24-48 hours after stroke and continues to increase over several weeks.
Often times, close monitoring of body fluid concentrations in the hospital can help reduce further brain damage that may be caused by acute edema after a stroke.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure usually fluctuates during and after a stroke. During this period, medical management of blood pressure will vary in the first few days after stroke, mainly consisting of observing and disturbing changes in blood pressure. The latest medical science states that blood pressure will increase and decrease spontaneously during and after a stroke, which is the body's natural way of maintaining fluid balance and blood flow to the brain. Blood pressure adjustments should be avoided for very high or very low blood pressure as they may interfere with recovery. Generally, changes in blood pressure due to stroke will stabilize in the first 2-3 days.
Blood sugar
Changes in blood sugar levels and stress hormones also occur with a stroke. These changes stabilize in the first few days and then normalize in the first few weeks after the stroke.
Recovery of the brain
Once the body is stabilized, the brain usually begins to recover thanks to regular medical monitoring and medical management. Medical management is primarily focused on preventing the progression of worse strokes. Maintenance of optimal medical conditions, such as control of body fluids, blood pressure, and blood sugar circulation can help maximize nerve cell protection after a stroke. Recovery of brain function and brain cells after a stroke usually begins within a few days and continues for months and years before achieving stability.
This therapy is very important in assisting brain recovery by stimulating the natural process of neuroplasticity. Speech therapy and swallowing exercises, physical therapy, and occupational therapy assistance to regain brain function.
Coping with visual improvements can be one of the biggest challenges in your recovery period. Mood also affects stroke recovery, so depression and anxiety are important parts of the recovery process.
