Getting Your Life Back After Stroke


Every five minutes, someone in the UK has a stroke. While most people affected are over 65 anyone can have a stroke – at any age. After a stroke, survivors can be left with long-term problems that can affect all aspects of their life. A stroke is a serious, life-threatening medical situation that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less harm is likely to happen. Like other organs of the body, the brain also needs the nutrients and oxygen provided by blood to function properly. If the supply of blood is stopped or restricted, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to brain injury, disability and ultimately leads to death.

The treatment of a stroke depends on the type of stroke you have, as well as which part of the brain was affected and what caused it. Most often, strokes are treated with medication. This normally includes medicines to prevent and eradicate blood clots, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. In some cases of haemorrhagic strokes surgery may be required to treat brain swelling and decrease the risk of further bleeding. Some people need to have a long period of rehabilitation before they can recover their former independence, In other hands many will never fully recover and will need support adjusting to living with the effects of their stroke. Around half the people who have a stroke will be dependent on some form of care for help with their daily activities.

The rehabilitation process will be specific to you and will depend on your symptoms and how severe they are. The specialists are available to help, including Psychologist, physiotherapists, Speech therapists, occupational therapists and doctors and specialist nurses. Help and support are also available from the charities such as The Stroke Association, where you can download this factsheet on the physical effects of stroke and as well as access a wealth of other information. Different Strokes is a charity that specialises in supporting younger stroke survivors.




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