Rebuilding life after stroke: The power of rehabilitation

When people suffer a stroke, it changes their lives. A sudden blockage or leak in the brain’s blood vessels leads to a stroke. Lack of oxygen and nutrients starts the degeneration of the brain cells. As the brain is not capable of regenerating tissue like other organs in the body, in a stroke, every second counts, where it becomes a fight between life and death. For people to act fast in such situations is imperative; it is very much needed for the patient to understand what can happen next.

For stroke victims, things never remain the same. Simple day-to-day activities such as eating, walking, speaking, or even going to the toilet alone become a monumental task. The issue is where particular sections of the brain are affected. Suppose the person had a stroke and it damaged the part of the brain that controls leg movement, then walking becomes difficult. Similarly, if the speech center of the brain gets damaged, then the person is unable to speak properly. It is agreed upon that medical technology has significantly improved the survival rate of people suffering from stroke, but is it just surviving enough? Fifty percent of the stroke survivors experience moderate to severe disability that hampers their daily lives. However, all hope is not lost as the human brain is the world’s most mysterious organ, and its remarkable ability to compensate gives people hope.

The Brain’s Ability to Adapt - Neuroplasticity

We can visualize the brain as a high-tech electrical wiring system with the brain cells or neurons branching out into different directions and connecting at junctions called synapses. When a stroke destroys a part of this system, the brain, under certain favorable conditions, can send messages through newer connections and channels. This ability is known as neuroplasticity. This is a new game or a musical instrument; repeated practice strengthens and solidifies these new pathways. Exploring a new frontier, such as neuroplasticity, structured therapies, as well as rehabilitation programs, helps survivors to restore lost functions of their bodies.

The key, however, is to start rehabilitation as early as possible, ideally within a day or two of the strokes. The chances of regaining the body’s lost functions improve by starting therapy without any delay. A multidisciplinary team can assist the patient in fighting disabilities in various areas and provide them with a personalized treatment plan. Such programs can help the patients to:

1) Restore Movement and Strength – This can be achieved with the help of physiotherapists who, by their various methods, can restore muscle movement.
2) Restore Speech and Communication Skills – During a stroke, the patient’s speech center might be affected, which may lead to a lack of their ability to speak, comprehend, and swallow food and liquids effectively. For this reason a Speech therapist can play a very effective role helping them in regaining control over all these functions.
3) Emotional Well-being and Pain Management – Depression, motivational loss, and pain are very commonly associated with a stroke patient. So, counseling and medications like nerve blocks can help them manage them effectively.
4) Co-morbid Condition Management – If a person is already suffering from diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. It can cause hindrance to the recovery. Tailor-made programs under the right specialists can lead to successful treatment.
5) Prevention of Complications – Unless treated, the majority of survivors of stroke end up becoming bedridden, with complications such as bedsores, muscle stiffness, and infection. Complications can be prevented through rehabilitation, keeping the patient active to the maximum extent.

Beyond Survival: Aiming for a Life of Dignity and Independence

Despite the numerous benefits offered by a well-conceived therapy session or rehabilitation program, most stroke survivors are not given the treatment that they require. These patients face excessive physical and emotional burden as they remain dependent on their relatives and intimate ones for every need. Being in a state of constant dependence discourages them as well as worsens their condition further. Proper rehabilitation programs for stroke patients can make many survivors once again take charge of their life. It makes them strong enough to live their life independently with dignity.

(Dr. Aravind P R, Consultant - Rehabilitation Medicine , Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru)