After Care for Stroke Survivors at Home

When someone you love suffers a stroke, it is a traumatic, stressful, and worrying event for both themselves and for you and the people who love them.

A stroke is the most common cause of significant disability in adults across the United States and is the fifth most common cause of death. When treated effectively and consistently, over time, even a severe stroke can be transformed whereby your loved one has minimal after-effects from their stroke.

Medical Treatments

A common disorder that develops after a person suffers a stroke is the development of dysphagia, which is essentially where they have difficulty, or in severe cases, a complete inability, in swallowing naturally. An instant food thickener such as Simply Holahan can turn this struggle into part of a normal, easy routine, as it uses starch to thicken liquids without compromising the taste or the safety of the product.

Blood clots and, if left untreated, deep vein thrombosis can often develop after a person suffers a stroke, but fortunately, US health studies have shown several home remedies have been proven to be effective. Ginger, for example, is an effective medicine to break down the fibrins that cause DVT and subsequently smooth the movement of blood. Other foods that are rich in Vitamin E, such as walnuts, bell peppers, kiwis, and spinach, also help the blood to flow smoothly.

Therapy

Across the United States, studies show that approximately one in four stroke survivors suffers from severe depression, and it is, therefore, crucial that a stroke survivor’s mental health is of utmost priority just as their physical wellbeing. Anti-depressant drugs are by no means a simple and straightforward fix but should conversely not be automatically dismissed. However, the best treatment for stroke survivors is psychological therapy and talking treatments which should begin as soon as a person’s mental health is visibly declining.

Being Aware

The most important thing you can do after you or a loved one has suffered from a stroke is to be supremely aware of the warning signs of another one. Stay aware of the warning signs of another stroke and understand your personal stroke risk factors, so you are able to manage them efficiently and appropriately.

The warning signs of a stroke include:

• A severe headache
• A decline in vision
• Facial drooping
• Dizziness and/or vertigo
• Slurred speech
•  Arm weakness

If you or a family member has suffered a stroke, it is crucial that you begin to reduce any factors that are proven to increase the chance of another by starting straight away. Drinking too much alcohol can cause health issues in anybody, much more so for a person that has suffered a stroke. Smoking cigarettes or cigars almost doubles the risk of suffering a stroke fatality, and being overweight automatically increases a person’s chance of having a stroke. Ensure you eat as healthily as possible, include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet daily, and be as physically active as possible.