Stroke is a medical emergency. It is important to get emergency medical help right away so that the stroke can be treated.
Strokes can be treated with drugs, surgery, or other non-surgical techniques. The exact treatment used depends on the type of stroke, when the stroke started, and the overall health of the person having the stroke. "Clot-busting" drugs can be used for certain types of strokes, provided the person reaches the hospital quickly enough (the "window" is between 3 and 6 hours). This type of treatment can prevent further damage to the brain.
The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain was damaged and how severe the damage was. Strokes can affect speech, movement, thinking, vision, and other senses. Not everyone needs rehabilitation after a stroke. But for people who have some level of disability after the stroke, rehabilitation can make a huge difference in their lives. Rehabilitation can help them get some of their old abilities back or learn new ways to adjust to their disabilities.
Rehabilitation starts as soon as possible after the stroke, usually in the hospital, and continues after the stroke survivor goes home. Rehabilitation is done by a team of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, and social workers. The survivor's family and friends are also an important part of the team.
Rehabilitation can involve physical exercises to improve balance and muscle control, learning how to use canes or other special equipment, learning to plan healthy meals, improving speech, and learning to deal with emotions such as anger, sadness, or confusion. The survivor's family and friends can be taught to help with the exercises and other rehabilitation activities.