A stroke is seen by many as a critical medical event that can possibly cause severe damage or death. Even when the stroke is comparatively mild, there can still be some difficulty in the recovery process. Additionally, after a severe stroke, the victim could be in for an even longer and more difficult road to healing — the duration and outcome of which are unknown.
The piece below, Life After a Stroke: Brain Regeneration and Healing, provides vital information for anyone who is recovering from a stroke. The graphic explains how the human brain behaves following a stroke along with tips on preventing a second stroke (arguably one of the most worrisome problems a stroke victim faces).
As seen in the infographic below, the brain is a resilient organ, and with the right medical attention, careful monitoring and ongoing therapy, the brain can learn to adapt and relearn previously lost abilities. One interesting method of this is neural plasticity. Neural plasticity is where the brain reorganizes itself and has healthy, unaffected areas of the brain to handle functions and abilities formerly performed by stroke-damaged areas. Although the extent of this neurological adaptation can vary by person, and entails consistent therapy and repetition, neural plasticity provides stroke survivors and their loved ones reason for hope during their difficult days post-stroke. That alone is enough for some.
Steps to prevent a second stroke should be taken seriously after the first one. Unfortunately, a second stroke will affect 1 in 4 stroke victims in the U.S., but taking the proper precaution can bring that statistic down. You can review the preventable actions within the infographic below. These steps may be considered essential, but some are not the right fit for certain people. For example, sleep apnea can interfere with sleep patterns and lead to sleep deprivation, which can possibly cause a stroke — but not all stroke sufferers experience this sleeping disorder.
Furthermore, risk reduction for a second stroke can be stressful and too much for one person to handle. It’s always a good idea to create a risk-reduction strategy with your primary physician or a specialist as well. You can also incorporate family members and loved ones into your plan. With a thorough plan and routine therapy (only if needed), there is a good chance for stroke victims to have a positive, healthy outcome.
To learn more about how the body heals after a stroke, please feel free to look over the infographic below.
