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Rehabilitation After Stroke: What Can Be Done?
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When Muscles Won't Relax: Understanding Post-Stroke Spasticity
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State-of-the-Art Treatments for Post-Stroke Spasticity
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Treating Post-Stroke Spasticity: What Your Doctor Needs to Know
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Stroke Recovery: The Basics of Physical Rehabilitation
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Life After Stroke: Personal Perspectives
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TIA: A Warning Not to be Ignored
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Are You at Risk for a Stroke?
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What are the Warning Signs of a Stroke?
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Helping a Loved One Recover From a Stroke
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Caregiver Involvement in Post-Stroke Care
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Prognosis
Stroke is fatal for about 27% of white males, 52% of African-American males, 23% of white females, and 40% of African-American females. Stroke survivors may be left with significant deficits. Emergency treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation can significantly improve both survival and recovery.
Prevention
The risk of stroke can be reduced through lifestyle changes:
- stop smoking
- control blood pressure
- get regular exercise
- maintain a healthy weight
- avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- get regular checkups and follow the doctor's advice regarding diet and medicines
Use of high-estrogen dose oral contraceptives increase the chances for developing stroke, particularly in women who smoke and/or who are over 35. Currently, there are low-estrogen dose oral contraceptives, for which a clear relationship with stroke development is unclear.
Treatment of atrial fibrillation may also significantly reduce the risk of stroke. Preventive anticoagulant therapy may benefit those with untreated atrial fibrillation. Warfarin (Coumadin) has proven to be more effective than aspirin for those with higher risk.
Screening for aneurysms may be an effective preventive measure in those with a family history of aneurysms or autosomal polycystic kidney disease, which tends to be associated with aneurysms.
BOOKS
Caplan, L. R., M. L. Dyken, and J. D. Easton. American Heart Association Family Guide to Stroke Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention.New York: Times Books, 1996.
Duthie, Edmund H., Jr. Practice of Geriatrics.3rd Edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1998: 328-335.
Goetz, Christopher G., and others. Textbook of Clinical Neurology.1st edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1999: 909-911.
Warlow, C. P., and others. Stroke: A Practical Guide to Management.Boston: Blackwell Science, 1996.
PERIODICALS
Krishnan, K. Ranga Rama. "Depression as a contributing factor in cerebrovascular disease." American Heart Journal 140 (October 2000): 563.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231.(214) 373-6300. <http://www.americanheart.org>.
National Stroke Association. 9707 E. Easter Lane, Englewood, Co. 80112. (800) 787-6537. <http://www.stroke.org>.
Laith Farid Gulli, M.D. Bilal Nasser, M.D.
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Author Info: Laith Farid Gulli M.D., Bilal Nasser M.D., The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2003 |
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