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Stroke
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So, What Is A Stroke?
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A stroke is a "brain
attack". It occurs when blood vessels of the brain (usually
arteries) are blocked or may have burst. Blood does not reach
certain parts of the brain, thus resulting in these parts being
injured. |
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When the stroke is caused by a
blood vessel blockage, it is called an Ischemic (lack of blood)
stroke. |
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When the stroke is caused by a
blood vessel that has burst, it is called a Haemorrhagic (bleeding)
stroke. |
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| How will you be
affected by the stroke? |
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| The brain controls most functions of the body. When
areas of the brain are damaged, certain functions of the body will
be affected. The human brain is divided into different regions with
different functions in each region. |
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| When the Right brain is
injured by stroke, it may affect the |
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Power of the left
arm and leg |
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Insight |
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| When the Left brain is
damaged by stroke, it may affect the |
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Power of the right
arm and leg. |
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Understanding of the written and spoken word. |
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Number skills. |
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Reasoning. |
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| General effects include: |
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Swallowing problems. |
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Slurred speech. |
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Spasticity, stiffness in muscles, painful
muscle spasms. |
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Balancing problems or coordination problems. |
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Pain, numbness or odd sensations. |
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Problems with memory, thinking, attention
or learning. |
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Problems with bowel or bladder control. |
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Fatigue. |
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Difficulty controlling emotions. |
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Depression. |
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| The impact of stroke can
cause other problems, especially if you are not able to get out of
bed. They are: |
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Infections of the
lungs and bladder. |
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Pressure sores. |
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Deep vein thrombosis (blockage of the deep
veins in the legs, especially the weakened leg). |
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| Rehabilitation |
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Rehabilitation is important to the recovery phase
of stroke. It is meant to teach the stroke survivor to regain lost
functions and to reach as near an independent functional state as
possible.
There are several places where inpatient rehabilitation is available.
These are community hospitals and rehabilitation centers. |
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| Community hospitals |
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St Luke's Hospital
for the Elderly. |
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Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital. |
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St Andrew's Community Hospital. |
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| Rehabilitation center |
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Tan Tock Seng Rehabilitation
Centre. |
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| There are several outpatient rehabilitation facilities
available as well. These are usually located at the government polyclinics.
You can ask the hospital nurse for a list. |
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| Medication |
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Apart from rehabilitation, the medications that
you will be given will help control your risk of getting another
stroke.
The medications prescribed will be dependent on your existing medical
condition.
There are several types of medication that can be prescribed for
your stroke and can only be prescribed if the CT Scan of your brain
did not show any bleeding in the brain.
These medications are generally called blood thinners. They prevent
the blood from "clumping" together to form a clot.
They are:
Antiplatelet agents : Asprin, Ticlopidine , Clopidrogel
Anticoagulant agents : Fraxiparine (injection), Heparin (injection),
Warfarin
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| IF YOU ARE KEEN TO
TRY TRADITIONAL REMEDIES, PLEASE ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE SAFETY
AND EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR PROPOSED TREATMENT. |
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