Recovery Time From a Stroke

A stroke occurs when there is an interruption in the blood flow to your brain. This action deprives the brain of vital oxygen and nutrients and causes brain cells to die. If you have had a stroke, your neurologist will want to monitor your condition closely. You will undergo rehabilitation and will probably begin a regimen of new medications to prevent another stroke from occurring. Partial recover after a stroke is common, but it is less common for people to experience a full recovery. Attitude has a lot to do with the amount of time it takes to recover.

Recovery Begins in the Hospital

• A stroke victim will begin recovery in the acute care unit in the hospital. He or she will be out of immediate danger when the hospital staff begins treatment. You will undergo a series of tests to determine the extent of the damage caused to the brain. Strokes can affect your mental capacity, such as your emotions, your ability to use your arms and legs, or even your ability to speak. The damage caused by the stroke will determine the length of your recovery. Some people are able to return to their normal capacity almost immediately, but even they will have to undergo medication therapy. They will also have to adjust their lifestyle in ways that will help them prevent a future stroke.

Rehabilitation

• Recovery from a stroke will be a lifelong undertaking. Many stroke victims are faced with a period of extensive rehabilitation. They will have many forms of rehabilitation, from psychiatric evaluations to vocational rehabilitation.

  Typically, the stroke victim will have a treatment program that will include self-care training, which covers feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing and toileting. Some stroke victims will find that it takes a considerable amount of time to relearn these functions. Part of your treatment will probably include mobility skills such as walking, transferring from a bed to a chair and vice versa. It may include learning to use a walker and a wheelchair.

  Speech therapy may be necessary if the patient has experienced a stroke that affected the part of the brain responsible for producing speech. This is a lengthy process, and recovering from this form of stroke will take a considerable amount of time.

  Your attitude is going to be the most important tool you will have while recovering from a stroke. If you are determined, you will make your recovery period shorter.