Transcript Document
RCS 6080
Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of
Rehabilitation Counseling
Stroke and
Hemiplegia
Stroke and Hemiplegia
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US
and the leading cause of disability
– approx. 700,000 strokes; 160,000 deaths
Modifiable risk factors include TIA, diabetes,
hypertension, atrial fibrillation, substance abuse,
and smoking
Nonmodifiable risk factors include age, gender,
race, and family history
Stroke and Hemiplegia
Of those who survive the initial onset, the most
frequent presenting problem is hemiplegia (7588%)
During the acute period, there is high incidence of
associated neurological deficits
One important medical concern is the incidence of
comorbidities that may affect management and
rehab
Types
Ischemic (83%)
1.
–
–
Can be “silent ischemia” (no
sx)
Caused by atherosclerosis
Cerebral thrombosis (most
common)
2.
–
–
–
blood clot forms in arteries
leading from heart to brain
(carotid)
blocks blood flow
Often preceded by TIA
Cerebral embolism
3.
–
–
less frequent
blood clot forms elsewhere
(embolus), travels through
bloodstream, lodges in
cerebral artery
Types
1.
Hemorrhagic stroke
– less common than ischemic strokes
– more deadly
– if person survives, better recovery of function
Why?
– Ischemic: Blood supply to brain stopped; tissues die,
do not regenerate
– Hemorrhagic: pressure from blood compresses brain,
affects function, pressure relieved, function returns
Hemorrhage
subarachnoid hemorrhage
– blood vessel on surface of brain leaks
– bleeding into space between brain & skull
cerebral hemorrhage (10%)
– Defective artery in brain bursts
Causes:
– aneurysm (blood-filled pouches that balloon out from
weak spot in artery)
– advancing age, congenital malformation
– aggravated by hypertension
– head injury
Stroke and Hemiplegia
Right-Hemisphere Stroke
– The right hemisphere
controls the movement of
the left side of the body as
well as analytical and
perceptual tasks
Left-Hemisphere Stroke
– The left hemisphere
controls the movement of
the right side of the body as
well as speech and language
abilities
Stroke and Hemiplegia
Cerebellar Stroke
– The cerebellum controls many of our reflexes
and much of our balance and coordination
Brain Stem Stroke
– The brain stem is the area of the brain that
controls all of our involuntary, “life-support”
functions as well as abilities such as eye
movements, hearing, speech, and swallowing
Symptoms
sudden numbness, weakness face, arm, leg
(one side of body)
sudden severe headache
difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
confusion, trouble speaking or
understanding
dizziness, loss of balance/coordination
Treatment of a stroke
Getting medical help quickly essential!
Ischemic stroke:
– "Clot-busters"
– tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
– Must give within 3 hours
Hemorrhagic stroke: correct cause of
hemorrhage
Function after Stroke
Time
I
Some residual effects of strokes
Emotional lability (mood swings, depression)
Perceptual effects: Difficulty recognizing,
understanding familiar objects
Difficulty planning, carrying out simple tasks
Loss of awareness (One-side neglect )
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Aphasia: difficulty putting thoughts into words or
understanding speech
Risk Reduction
lifestyle changes
aspirin
blood thinning medications
carotid endarterectomy (remove plaque)
Experimental: neurogenesis (regenerating
affected neurons)
Reactions & Rehabilitation
social isolation
grieving process
physical, occupational, speech therapy
20% require long-term care
Recovery affected by extent of brain damage,
patient’s attitude, support system, rehab.
team skill
Voc Rehab and Stroke
Estimated that 30% of strokes occur in
people under 65
One study found a 49% RTW rate for
people 21-65 year old
Physical factors and aphasia play significant
roles and complications in vocational
planning
Voc Rehab and Stroke
Some strategies for aphasia
– Reduction of working hours or territory
covered
– Selective interaction with customers or
suppliers with whom the person had dealt with
prior to stroke
– Reliance on overlearned behavior and language
in the performance of new tasks
– Initial help from a relative or close friend
– Job carving
Additional Resources and
Information from the Web
National Stroke Association (www.stroke.org)
American Stroke Association
(www.strokeassociation.org)
National Aphasia Association (www.aphasia.org)
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
(www.strokejournal.org)
The Brain Attack Coalition
(www.stroke-site.org)