Recovery From a Brain Stem Stroke

Thousands of people every year suffer from a stroke and the complications that can accompany it. According to the Mayo Clinic, a stroke happens when the blood flowing to the brain is blocked or severely reduced. Fresh blood brings oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, which keep them healthy. Several minutes into a stroke, brain cells begin to die from being deprived from the blood supply. Brain stem strokes are generally considered to be the most serious form of strokes, due to the importance of the brain stem, and the recovery process is quite difficult, if at all possible.

Immediate Brain Stem Stroke Treatment

• As soon as a person begins to show symptoms of a stroke, it is very important to get them to a hospital. When it comes to a stroke, it is all about time and the faster that they get medical treatment, the greater the chance of recovery. According the Ohio State University Medical Center, a brain stem stroke is an exceptionally devastating stroke because the brain stem controls so many vital parts of the body. Among the various functions that the brain stem controls include breathing, heart rate, speech, body movement, and blood pressure. The longer that this area is without oxygen, the more damage that will occur, so time is of the essence. At the hospital, a doctor will give you aspirin, blood clot-busting drugs, and may perform a surgery if necessary to restore blood flow, says the Mayo Clinic.

Recovery Process

• After the patient is stabilized, the stroke is treated, and risk has abated, then the recovery process can begin. Many hospitals often have a rehabilitation center that works in conjunction with them, so you will probably referred to them. Therapists will put you through an intense and necessary rehabilitation process that aims to restore both your mental abilities and your physical abilities, says the Cleveland Clinic. Many people often need to learn to walk and talk again, following a severe stroke. This process takes place for several weeks, as this is when most improvement will be seen. If a person is showing improvement, they will likely continue therapy at an assisted living facility and remain immobile until they regain full control over their body. The tragic part about brain stem strokes is the fact that most people do not recover, due to the importance of the stem region, the various functions that it has control over, and the damage that is done to the area, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center. Those who suffer brain stem strokes often are invalid, in various capacities, for the rest of their life. As it was said previously, the only way to have a chance at recovery is to get immediate medical help, restore blood flow to the region, and to begin therapy immediately.