A stroke is a life-changing event that can often lead to a number of long-term disabilities, but this does not mean that its effects on the body and mind are irreversible. Following a stroke, all patient should undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation program created by various medical professionals, and one of the most important components of stroke rehabilitation in Hyattsville is physical therapy.

A stroke is a term used to describe an event in which blood flow is interrupted in the brain. About 65% of all strokes are classified as ischemic strokes, in which a blood vessel of the brain is somehow blocked. Hemorrhagic strokes account for the remainder and occur when a blood vessel leaks or ruptures because of a weakened area within it. In both types of strokes, certain parts of the brain don’t receive enough oxygen, which causes millions of brain cells to die each minute and can lead to long-term brain damage, disability, and possibly death.

Almost 800,000 Americans suffer from a stroke each year, which makes it the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Strokes can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age, sex, or race, but they are more common in women than men, and African-Americans have almost twice the risk of a first stroke than Caucasians. In addition, approximately two-thirds of people who experience a stroke are older than 65.

Due to the fact that so many brain cells die rapidly during a stroke, it’s imperative to seek out treatment as soon as there is suspicion that one has occurred. Some of the primary signs and symptoms of stroke include the following:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• **If one or more of these symptoms are noticed, call 911 immediately**

Why physical therapy is crucial to stroke rehabilitation in Hyattsville

Following a stroke, physical therapists are considered an integral part of the rehabilitation team. Stroke rehabilitation in Hyattsville will usually begin very soon after a stroke, and physical therapists provide a variety of treatments based on the patient’s condition and abilities. The overall goal of physical therapy is to restore each patient’s movement and walking abilities, decrease their disability and improve their quality of life so they can better function at home, work, and within their community.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recently published a first-ever set of guidelines on stroke rehabilitation. The contents of these guidelines can be seen as further evidence of the importance of physical therapy during this process. Above all else, they point out that stroke rehabilitation requires a sustained effort that comes from many medical professionals over a period of time, and that rehabilitation facilities are better for accomplishing this than nursing homes. They also recommend:

• Rehabilitation that starts early after the stroke
• The use of fall-prevention programs
• The use of balance training
• Individually-tailored exercise programs to enhance fitness
• Activities of daily life training
• Participation in community or at-home physical activity

Physical therapists specialize in all of the recommendations listed and heavily focus on each of them when treating stroke patients, especially older adults. So if you or a loved one requires stroke rehabilitation in Hyattsville, CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services would like to help. Contact us at 301-453-2117 to schedule an appointment at any of our four clinics in Hyattsville, Laurel, Glenn Dale/Bowie, or our newest location in Silver Spring, MD, or click here or here for more information on stroke rehabilitation.