Treatments for Stroke
Treatments for Stroke
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Stroke
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
- Acute stroke treatments - the treatments that may be used during a stroke.
- Rehabilitation treatments - the treatments used during recovery from stroke.
- Positioning the person on the ground, with legs slightly elevated or leaning forward and the head between the knees
- Adequate sleep
- Aspirin
- Clopidrogel
- Dipyridamole
- Thrombolysis treatment
- Alteplase
- Tissue plasminogen activator
- Thrombectomy
- Angioplasty
- Stenting
Stroke: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Stroke may include:
Hidden causes of Stroke may be incorrectly diagnosed:
Stroke: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Stroke:
Stroke: Research Doctors & Specialists
- Neurology (Brain/CNS Specialists):
- Stroke & Vascular Specialists:
- Blood Health Specialists (Hematology):
- more specialists...»
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Hospital statistics for Stroke:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Stroke:
- 942,000 hospital discharges were due to strokes in the US 2002 (2002 National Hospital Discharge Survey, NCHS, CDC)
- average length of hospital stay for strokes was 5.3 days in the US 2002 (2002 National Hospital Discharge Survey, NCHS, CDC)
- 0.069% (8,819) of hospital consultant episodes were for subarachnoid haemorrhage in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 79% of hospital consultant episodes for subarachnoid haemorrhage required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 37% of hospital consultant episodes for subarachnoid haemorrhage were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Stroke
Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures
for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Stroke:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »
Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital:
More general information, not necessarily in relation to Stroke,
on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:
Medical news summaries about treatments for Stroke:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Stroke:
Discussion of treatments for Stroke:
NINDS Stroke Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)
Generally, there are three treatment stages for stroke:
prevention, therapy immediately after stroke, and post-stroke
rehabilitation. Therapies to prevent stroke are based on treating an
individual's underlying risk factors. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a
stroke while it is happening. Post-stroke rehabilitation is to overcome
disabilities that result from stroke damage. Medication or drug therapy is
the most common treatment for stroke. Surgery can be used to prevent
stroke, to treat acute stroke, or to repair vascular damage or
malformations in and around the brain. For most stroke patients, physical
therapy is the cornerstone of the rehabilitation process. Another type of
therapy involving relearning daily activities is occupational therapy
(OT). OT also involves exercise and training to help the stroke patient
relearn everyday activities such as eating, drinking and swallowing,
dressing, bathing, cooking, reading and writing, and toileting. Speech
therapy is appropriate for patients who have no deficits in cognition or
thinking, but have problems understanding speech or written words, or
problems forming speech.
(Source: excerpt from NINDS Stroke Information Page: NINDS)
Stroke: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Strokes caused by blood clots can be treated with clot-busting drugs
such as TPA (tissue plasminogen activator). TPA must be given
within 3 hours of the start of a stroke to be effective, and tests must be
done first. This is why it is so important for a person having a stroke to
get to a hospital fast.
Other medicines are used to treat and to prevent stroke. Anticoagulants
such as warfarin and antiplatelet agents such as aspirin interfere with
the blood's ability to clot and can play an important role in preventing
stroke.
Surgery is sometimes used to treat or prevent stroke. For example,
carotid endarterectomy is the surgical removal of fatty deposits
clogging the carotid artery in the neck that could lead to a stroke. For
hemorrhagic stroke, surgical treatment may include placing a metal clip at
the base of an aneurysm or removing abnormal blood vessels.
(Source: excerpt from Stroke: NWHIC)
Stroke: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Rehabilitation is a very important part of recovery for many stroke
survivors. The effects of stroke may mean that you must change, relearn or
redefine how you live. Stroke rehabilitation is designed to help you
return to independent living.
Rehabilitation doesn't reverse the effects of a stroke. Its goals are
to build your strength, capability and confidence so you can continue your
daily activities despite the effects of your stroke. Rehabilitation
services may include:
-
physical therapy to restore movement, balance and
coordination
-
occupational therapy to relearn basic skills such as
bathing and dressing oneself
-
speech therapy.
(Source: excerpt from
Stroke: NWHIC)
Stroke Prevention and Treatment - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
A stroke requires immediate medical care. If you think you are
having a stroke, call 911. Research shows that treatment during the
first few hours after stroke symptoms appear can be important for
the best possible recovery. An emergency doctor or a neurologist (a
doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders of the brain and nervous
system) will provide emergency treatment. Then a family doctor,
internist, or geriatrician can step in and provide continuing
care. (Source: excerpt from Stroke Prevention and Treatment - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Stroke Prevention and Treatment - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
Rehabilitation should begin
as soon as possible after the patient is stable. It often continues
after the patient has gone home. Stroke rehabilitation includes many
kinds of therapies: physical therapy to strengthen muscles and
improve balance and coordination; speech and language therapy;
occupational therapy to improve eye-hand coordination and skills
needed for tasks such as bathing and cooking. A team of health care
experts (physicians, physical and occupational therapists, nurses,
social workers, and speech and language specialists) coordinates
activities for the patient and family.
Rehabilitation progress
varies from person to person. For some, recovery is completed within
weeks following a stroke; for others, it may take many months or
years. Sometimes the damage from a stroke is so serious that the
patient does not respond to rehabilitation and makes little or no
progress toward recovery. (Source: excerpt from Stroke Prevention and Treatment - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Buy Products Related to Treatments for Stroke
Book Excerpts: Treatment of Stroke
Treatments of Stroke: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the treatments of Stroke.
Dysarthria:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Speech therapy is often necessary to relearn oral movements and communication skills, prevent aspiration, and motivate the patient
-
Treat underlying etiologies as necessary
–ALS does not improve
–Dysarthria may improve with treatment of diabetes
and/or hypothyroidism
–Myasthenia gravis improves with pyridostigmine and
immunosuppression
–Pralidoxime and atropine for nerve gas poisoning
–Antitoxin and close ICU observation for botulism
–Steroids for polymyositis and dermatomyositis - Surgical intervention may be necessary for structural causes
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Flank Pain/CVA Tenderness:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Disk disease: NSAIDs and physical therapy; surgery is rarely indicated
-
Muscle spasm: Rest, physical therapy, analgesics
-
Renal calculi: Increased fluid intake, analgesics, consider surgery
-
Pyelonephritis, cystitis, and perirenal abscess: Antibiotics and increased fluid intake
-
Pancreatitis: Analgesics, antibiotics, consider surgery
-
Glomerulonephritis: Antibiotics (if poststreptococcal), loop diuretics, antihypertensive agents
-
Polycystic kidney disease: Manage blood pressure
-
Renal infarction: Surgery, antihypertensive, streptokinase
-
Papillary necrosis: Dialysis, treat underlying cause
-
Cholelithiasis: Cholecystectomy, analgesics
-
Appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy: Surgery
-
Renal and bladder cancer: Surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Stroke:
Treatment (Tx)
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
tissue plasminogen activator, anticoagulants, antiplatelet aggregate therapy, anticonvulsants, stool softeners, analgesics, surgery
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Dysarthria:
Emergency interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
If the patient displays dysarthria, ask him about associated difficulty swallowing. Then determine respiratory rate and depth. Measure vital capacity with a Wright respirometer if available. Assess blood pressure and heart rate. Tachycardia, slightly increased blood pressure, and shortness of breath are usually early signs of respiratory muscle weakness.
Ensure a patent airway. Place the patient in Fowler’s position and suction him if necessary. Administer oxygen and keep emergency resuscitation equipment nearby. Anticipate intubation and mechanical ventilation in progressive respiratory muscle weakness. Withhold oral fluids in the patient with associated dysphagia.
If dysarthria isn’t accompanied by respiratory muscle weakness and dysphagia, continue to assess for other neurologic deficits. Compare muscle strength and tone in the limbs, and evaluate tactile sensation. Ask the patient about numbness or tingling. Test deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), and note gait ataxia. Assess cerebellar function by observing rapid alternating movement, which should be smooth and coordinated. Next, test visual fields and ask about double vision. Check for signs of facial weakness such as ptosis. Finally, determine level of consciousness (LOC) and mental status.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Stroke:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Treatment options vary, depending on the type of stroke the patient experiences. Early medical diagnosis of the type of stroke coupled with new drug treatments can greatly reduce the long-term disability secondary to ischemia.
Surgery performed to improve cerebral circulation for patients with thrombotic or embolic stroke includes an endarterectomy (the removal of atherosclerotic plaque from the inner arterial wall) or a microvascular bypass (the surgical anastomosis of an extracranial vessel to an intracranial vessel).
Medications useful in treating stroke include:
❑ alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator), effective in emergency treatment of embolic stroke (See Restoring ischemic brain tissue with alteplase.) (Patients with embolic or thrombotic stroke who aren’t candidates for alteplase [3 to 6 hours poststroke] should receive aspirin or heparin.)
❑ long-term use of aspirin or ticlopidine, used as antiplatelet agents to prevent recurrent stroke
❑ anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin), which may be required to treat crescendo TIAs not responsive to antiplatelet drugs
❑ antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, and antidiabetics, which may be used to treat risk factors associated with recurrent stroke.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Dysarthria:
Nursing considerations
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
Encourage the patient with dysarthria to speak slowly so that he can be understood. Give him time to express himself, and encourage him to use gestures. Dysarthria usually requires consultation with a speech pathologist.
Patient teaching
Instruct the patient and his family about communication techniques. Encourage the patient to express his feelings. Provide guidelines on foods or liquids that should be avoided due to risk for aspiration. Refer the patient to a speech therapist.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007
Dysarthria:
Emergency Actions
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
If the patient displays dysarthria, ask him about associated difficulty swallowing. Then determine his respiratory rate and depth, and measure vital capacity. Assess blood pressure and heart rate. Usually, tachycardia, slightly increased blood pressure, and shortness of breath are early signs of respiratory muscle weakness.
Ensure a patent airway. Place the patient in Fowler’s position and suction him if necessary. Administer oxygen, and keep emergency resuscitation equipment nearby. Anticipate intubation and mechanical ventilation in progressive respiratory muscle weakness. Withhold oral fluids in the patient with associated dysphagia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Dysarthria:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Consult with a speech pathologist, as needed.
▪ Administer medications and treatments as needed.
▪ Assess the patient's swallow and gag reflexes before feeding him.
▪ Give the patient time to express himself.
▪ Encourage the patient to express his feelings.
Patient teaching
▪ Encourage the patient with dysarthria to speak slowly so that he can be understood.
▪ Encourage him to use gestures to aid communication.
▪ Discuss different ways to communicate.
▪ Explain to the patient his diagnosis and the treatment plan.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Stroke is a devastating condition that often results in serious long-term complications. Among the most common and most challenging are mobility...
If you or someone you know is at risk of stroke, it is crucial to recognize that successful stroke treatment depends on quick action. The sooner you...
When someone close to you suffers from a stroke, the emotional impact can be tremendous. But as anyone caring for a loved one after a stroke...
After suffering a stroke, many people experience post-stroke spasticity, muscle tightness that not only impairs mobility, but also impacts the life...
See full list of 30 related videos
» Next page: Doctors and Medical Specialists for Stroke
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
