Stroke treatment requires specialised care, often involving neurologists who provide critical interventions like clot-busting medications, surgical proce- dures, and rehabilitation therapies to restore brain function and minimise long-term damage.

A stroke is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to part of the brain becomes blocked (ischemic stroke) or ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). Without adequate blood flow, brain cells start to die within minutes, and an early diagnosis and treatment are essential to minimise the permanent damage. Treatment done in a timely manner can improve the likelihood of recovery and will decrease the severity of any long-term side effects. In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of stroke treatments, the importance of immediate care, and how long-term rehabilitation helps stroke survivors regain their quality of life.

Types of Stroke and Their Immediate Treatments

Strokes are classified into two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic, each requiring distinct immediate interventions.

Ischemic Stroke: Ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot or obstruction blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain, accounting for 85% of strokes. The primary goal is to restore blood flow quickly.

• Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): Administered within 3-4.5 hours, tPA dissolves the clot, restoring blood flow. Early treatment reduces disability.
• Mechanical Thrombectomy: For larger clots, this procedure uses a catheter to physically remove the blockage within 6-24 hours, restoring blood flow.

2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a weakened blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in the brain. The treatment focus is on stopping the bleeding and reducing pressure on the brain.

Immediate Treatments:

• Surgical Intervention: Procedures like clipping or coiling prevent further bleeding by repairing the damaged vessel.
• Decompressive Craniotomy: This surgery relieves pressure by removing part of the skull.
• Medications: Used to control high blood pressure and prevent seizures or further bleeding.

For expert care and quick treatment, consult the best neurologist in Delhi or consider visiting Apollo Hospital Indraprastha. The team of experienced professionals ensures patients receive the right diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Long-term Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation

After immediate treatments are given, the focus should be on long-term stroke recovery. The damage to the brain causes stroke survivors to have physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Given are a few rehabilitation therapies that can help them regain independence.

1. Physical Therapy

Stroke patients often have weakness, paralysis, or loss of coordination on one side of the body. Physical therapists work with patients to perform targeted exercises to help restore movement and balance. This kind of therapy works to strengthen muscles and increase mobility, bringing patients’ physical independence back so that they can carry out daily living activities.

2. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps people improve how to do everyday things such as dressing, bathing, and eating. These activities may need to be relearned or new ways of doing them may have to be learned. An occupational therapist is a person who helps patients adapt to their limitations and teaches them how to deal with their daily life tasks.

3. Speech and Swallowing Therapy

Patients who have a stroke that affects areas of the brain that control speech or swallowing may need speech therapy to regain their ability to communicate. Speech therapists help stroke survivors improve their speech clarity and language comprehension, and in some cases, even work on cognitive functions like memory enhancement. They also help patients become able to swallow safely, which is critical for proper nutrition and the prevention of complications like aspiration pneumonia.

4. Psychological and Emotional Support

Sudden life changes that come with a stroke can bring on emotional changes for stroke survivors, such as anxiety, depression, and frustration. Psychological counselling and support groups help stroke patients to overcome these emotional challenges. Stroke will also affect mental functions such as memory, problem solving, and concentration and cognitive therapy is used to improve these mental functions.

5. Medication and Stroke Prevention

Stroke survivors are at higher risk of getting another stroke. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications are prescribed by neurologists to reduce the risk of future strokes by preventing blood clot formation. In fact, it’s also used to control conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes to avoid another stroke. In addition, lifestyle modifications include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.

Conclusion

A stroke needs to be treated quickly to prevent brain damage and long-term effects. The type of stroke determines the type of treatment, and ischemic strokes are treated with clot-busting medications or a thrombectomy, while hemorrhagic strokes are treated with surgery or other interventions. If you or a loved one experience stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention from the best Neurologist in Delhi. You can also visit Apollo Hospital Indraprastha, which offers expert neurology care, ensuring patients receive timely treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation.