Once you get a stroke attack, you may experience some disabilities associated with the mechanisms to control and move some parts of your body. This disease can seriously affect how the brain to work, and as well we know that there are a lot of crucial functions that are controlled by the brain. After an attack of stroke, you probably ask a lot of questions -- how long your stroke recovery timeline? What is the right rehab program you should choose? Or when will you get back your independent life?!
Unfortunately, the stroke recovery timeline is difficult to be predicted. And the progress of recovery in the first week is crucial, because it can be used for a guide of prediction to what degree a patient will recover after an attack of stroke.
In general, the progression of recovery is closely dependent on some factors. These include how quickly the patient get the rehabilitation, the age, the severity level of brain damage, and the type of stroke itself -- according to NINDS (the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke).
Furthermore, you may also have a chance of having a second stroke (reoccurrence stroke). About 3% of survivors experience a second stroke in their first 30 days after the first stroke. The risk factors of this condition are also highly variable. Therefore, it is so important to communicate with your rehabilitation team.
The following are other common questions that you should discuss more with your doctor to get more information about what to expect in the days & years ahead! (Before continuing, you may also like to know about causes and symptoms of a stroke!)
What is the stroke recovery?
Most people with stroke are survival. In other words they need the right rehabilitation to get the maximum result of their recovery. The rehab program should be specifically designed to meet the specific requirement of each patient.
Your rehabilitation team should clearly understand when the right time to start your rehab program. Generally, the rehabilitation program should begin immediately once you have been stabilized (about 24-48 hours after an attack of stroke).
Additionally, the stroke rehabilitation is usually divided into 3 phases: (1) acute, (2) sub-acute, and (3) chronic.
How long your stroke recovery timeline?
Once again, you should clearly understand that the stroke recovery varies from one patient to another. In many cases, the recovery of stroke is a lifelong process -- though there are also some patients with mild strokes recover more quickly.
The rehabilitation is more focused to make you as independent as possible to do your daily activities. But it does not cure or reverse the brain damage.
You may have a significant improvement during rehabilitation in the first 3 months, but your recovery usually still continues -- even in years later.
Generally, the formal rehabilitation will take about 3 to 6 months. But some studies found that survivals who continue to perform /practice the skills learned in rehabilitation will continue to see more progress in the years ahead (long after the first stroke attack).
Are you at risk of developing depression after a stroke?
As mentioned before, there are many disabilities that occur caused by stroke. This is one of reasons why depression is common after a stroke. Another cause is changes of biochemical in the brain that occur due to stroke.
Therefore, ask more your doctor about any signs of depression and how to eliminate it, so thus you will know what to look for and what you should do! Fortunately, depression is manageable and treatable -- with the right medications & counseling, it can be treated effectively!
What drugs or treatment will be taking? Do they have side effects?
Some of common prescribed medications are blood thinners / anticoagulant (particularly for strokes that are caused by blood clots), which intended to help survivals in decreasing the risk of future stroke. Other medications may include medications for certain conditions associated with stroke, such as medications to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health problems associated with a heart condition.
Your doctor knows what he/she will do, but it is much better for you to also clearly understand the goals of each treatment /medication/therapy that you will do -- so thus you will understand & know why you are taking them.
Moreover, don’t forget to also ask any side effects or other possible medicine /food interactions! Discuss more with your doctor for more in-depth information!
In addition, read also the previous post about some effects of stroke on the brain!
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Reference: WebMD
Image credit to ‘shutterstock’ for illustration
