“Stroke is the number one cause of serious adult disability in the United States. Stroke disability is devastating to the stroke patient and family, but therapies are available to help rehabilitate patients after stroke.”.

AHA

Stroke is the number one cause of serious adult disability in the United States. Stroke disability is devastating to the stroke patient and family, but therapies are available to help rehabilitate patients after stroke.

For most stroke patients, rehabilitation mainly involves physical therapy. The aim of physical therapy is to have the stroke patient relearn simple motor activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lying down, and the process of switching from one type of movement to another.

Rehabilitation should begin as soon as the patient stabilizes. Generally, this first stage of rehabilitation occurs in the hospital. In planning for discharge from the hospital, the patient and their family, with the support of the social workers or case manager, must determine the best place for the patient’s care. Many patients return home, but others benefit from time in a rehabilitation program to continue recovery.

Inpatient rehabilitation may be located independently or may be part of a large hospital complex. Patients usually remain in the facility for two or three weeks and participate in an intensive, coordinated rehabilitation program. These programs often include at least three hours per day of active therapy, five or six days a week. Inpatient facilities offer a full suite of medical services, including 24-hour doctor supervision and access to a full range of therapists specializing in rehabilitation after a stroke.

Another type of therapy to help patients relearn daily activities is occupational therapy. This type of therapy also involves exercise and training. Its goal is to help the stroke patient relearn everyday activities such as eating, drinking and swallowing, dressing, bathing, cooking, reading and writing, and using the toilet. Occupational therapists seek to help the patient become independent or semi-independent.

Many patients go to what is called a SNF (meaning skilled nursing facility) from the acute hospital where the pt first when to with the stroke.  The rehabilitation services available in SNFs are for patients no longer needing hospital care but who still require some nursing services and a less intensive rehabilitation program with fewer hours of required therapy participation.

These are long-term care facilities for those patients no longer needing full hospital care but who still require 24-hour access to nursing support. Rehabilitation services may be offered to individuals in these facilities as they qualify.  For some pts they go home but others possibly not depending on how independent this pt is in being safe home alone or even with family to handle assisting the pt in there activities of daily living they may need assistance with. Safety is the big factor with how independent the pt is.

Speech therapy helps stroke patients relearn language and speaking skills, or learn other forms of communication. Speech therapy is appropriate for patients who have no problems with cognition or thinking, but have problems understanding speech or written words, or problems forming speech. With time and patience, a stroke survivor should be able to regain some, and sometimes all, language and speaking abilities.

“Regular physical activity benefits health in many ways, including helping build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints; helping control weight and reduce fat; and preventing or delaying the development of high blood pressure (GAO, 2012). Exercise is one of the least expensive ways to stay healthy, with one study finding that exercise can prevent chronic diseases as effectively as medication (British Journal of Medicine, 2013). A comprehensive study and analysis of existing research found that leisure-time physical activity is associated with reduced risk of 13 different types of cancer, including breast, colon, liver and myeloid leukemia (National Institutes of Health, 2016).”

aspenprojectplay.org/youth-sports-facts/projects/benefits

“Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that causes excessive fear of certain situations. Some people may even resist leaving home. With medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes, patients can overcome the disorder and participate in things they enjoy. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better the treatments will work.”

Cleveland Clinic

The rays that come from the sun radiate heat can damage skin and eyes.  UV-A rays has lower energy, it penetrates deep into the eye and may injure the macula, the part of the retina, responsible for sight in the center field of vision.  UV damage is also cumulative and has been linked to eye problems later in life including tumors, cataracts and macular degeneration, an eye disease which currently has no cure.  UV-B radiation is presumably more dangerous and is mainly absorbed by the cornea and lens of the eye and can damage those tissues. Both ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and UV-B induce cataract formation and are not necessary for sight. Photokeratitis, or corneal sunburn, is a result of intense exposure to UV-B.

Chicago Eye Institute

“Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage DNA in your skin cells and cause skin cancer.  In the UK almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds.  Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.”

Cancer Research UK

“Summer has arrived and while the sun is shining bright it’s a golden time to highlight July as UV Safety Awareness Month! We all love to take in those warm summer rays, but everyone must remember to protect their skin and eyes from the damaging effects of the sun. The sun emits radiation known as UV-A and UV-B rays.”.

Veterans Administration (VA.gov)

“That’s right, kids get arthritis. It is a common misconception that only “old” people are afflicted with arthritis. Nearly 300,000 children in America have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. The Arthritis National Research Foundation funds arthritis research to find a cure for arthritis, and this includes trying to find a cure for the hundreds of thousands of children suffering each year with this debilitating disease. ”

Arthritis National Research Foundation ANRF The Arthritis National Research Foundation

For the continuation of the 4th of July Celebration, for those off in this celebraton  ENJOY celebrating this day safely!

“Every year there are over 16,000 fires caused by fireworks in the weeks leading up to and right after the Forth of July holiday. There are also thousands of people burned including some of who use the use of eyes, hands, or limbs.  Sparklers alone account for 1/4 of the emergency room firework injuries. ”

National Fire Protection Association