Stroke

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	Brain	Brainstem function	Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery
Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery	Circle of Willis	Endarterectomy
Left cerebral hemisphere - function	Plaque buildup in arteries	Right cerebral hemisphere - function	Stroke

(Page 2)

See also:

• Carotid artery disease
• Carotid artery surgery

Nutrients and fluids may be necessary, especially if the person has swallowing difficulties. These may be given through a vein (intravenously) or a feeding tube in the stomach (gastrostomy tube). Swallowing difficulties may be temporary or permanent.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and swallowing therapy will all begin in the hospital.

LONG-TERM TREATMENT

The goal of treatment after a stroke is to help the patient recover as much function as possible and prevent future strokes.

The recovery time and need for long-term treatment differs from person to person. Problems moving, thinking, and talking often improve in the weeks to months after a stroke. A number of people who have had a stroke will still continue to improve in the months or years after the stroke.

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See: Stroke recovery for information about:

• Bladder and bowel problems
• Living at home rather than a nursing facility
• Muscle and nerve problems
• Speech problems
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Swallowing and eating problems
• Thinking and memory problems

Additional support and resources are available from the American Stroke Association -- www.strokeassociation.org.

The outlook depends on the type of stroke, how much brain tissue is damaged, what body functions have been affected, and how quickly treatment is received. Recovery may occur completely, or there may be some permanent loss of function.

Over half of the people who have a stroke are able to function independently at home.

If treatment with clot-busting drugs is successful, the symptoms of a stroke may completely go away. However, patients do not often arrive at the hospital soon enough to receive these drugs, or there are complicating medical conditions that prevent their use.

People who have an ischemic stroke (stroke due to a blood clot) have a better chance of surviving than those who have a hemorrhagic stroke (stroke due bleeding in the brain).

The risk for a second stroke is highest over the first few weeks or months after the first stroke and then begins to lessen.