A stroke, formerly called apoplexy or cerebral stroke, is an acute disorder of cerebral circulation. Blood does not enter the brain cells, they stop receiving oxygen and begin to die.
During a stroke, a person's abilities that are controlled by the affected area of the brain, including, for example, memory and muscle control, are lost.
A stroke can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, which is why it is important to be educated about the signs of a stroke and know what to do.
Stroke: clinic and treatment
Treatment of acute stroke will be more successful if you consult a doctor in a timely manner. If you or a loved one:
- concerns about dizziness, nausea, weakness or numbness in the limbs;
- there were difficulties in swallowing, speech functions were impaired;
- drowsiness, inability to adequately respond to what is happening around;
- inability to maintain a stable position, impaired consciousness.
In this case, a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke of the brain can be suspected in time, the treatment of which should be carried out only in a hospital setting.
Symptoms of a stroke
The first signs of a stroke are:
- violation of speech coherence. It is difficult to understand what the person is saying;
- the appearance of facial asymmetry. Facial expressions are disturbed; as a rule, one side suffers. If you ask a person in this state to smile, the smile will come out crooked;
- severe weakness of the limbs. As a rule, the limbs on one side are affected (right arm and right leg or left arm and left leg). If a person is asked to raise both arms at the same time, one of them will lag noticeably or will not be able to move at all;
- blurred vision. In this case, one pupil will be dilated more than the second, and chaotic movement of the eyeballs is possible. The patient may feel tightness in the eyes and complain of double vision.
How can you tell when someone is having a stroke?
As a mnemonic rule, you can associate the signs of a stroke with the word IMPACT:
"U" - smile
“D” – hand movement
“A” – articulation
“R” - “solution”: if these signs are undeniable, you need to call an ambulance.
Other manifestations of a stroke may include:
- confusion of consciousness. A person who has suffered from a stroke does not understand well what is being said to him;
- dizziness;
- Strong headache
Effective treatment of stroke: innovative technologies to protect your health
Therefore, the global medical community has developed not only a program whose goal is to prevent stroke, treating the consequences and restoring the body takes a large part in their research. Our specialists take an active part in scientific research and have created their own effective program that literally gets patients back on their feet. Modern treatment makes it possible to restore the functionality of the limbs, relieve dizziness and dysfunction of the speaking apparatus. Of course, once a stroke is diagnosed, hospital treatment becomes mandatory.
We are able to bring an atmosphere of home comfort into a hospital environment and provide psychological comfort to the patient. The stroke treatment center ensures that the patient will be provided with everything necessary, including equipment for rehabilitation and examination, the involvement of outside specialists and studies will not be needed anywhere else.
Stroke treatment is carried out in Moscow; convenient transportation simplifies contact between relatives and patients, and gives them the opportunity to visit the patient as much as possible and necessary.
Stroke. How long are they in the hospital?
Poor blood circulation in the brain, in other words, stroke, treatment involves three stages:
- prehospital;
- stay in the intensive care unit;
- treatment in a general ward.
The length of stay of a patient in a hospital, according to treatment standards, is 21 days, provided the patient has no violations of vital functions, and 30 days in case of serious violations. When the length of a patient’s stay in a hospital is insufficient, a medical examination is carried out followed by the development of an individual course of rehabilitation.
The Yusupov Hospital employs highly qualified doctors, and after being treated by them, most of even the most severe patients return to a full life. The professionalism of doctors plays a huge role in the effectiveness of therapy and rehabilitation. Neurologists at the Yusupov Hospital develop an individual treatment plan for each patient.
Patients stay in the intensive care unit as long as they need to fully recover. During this period, doctors strictly monitor the patient’s vital functions in order to avoid serious complications caused by damage to brain tissue.
All patients diagnosed with stroke are subject to hospitalization. The length of stay in intensive care depends on a number of factors, including:
- depression of vital functions;
- degree of damage to brain tissue. With a major stroke, patients stay in intensive care longer;
- the need for constant monitoring if there is a high risk of recurrent stroke;
- severity of the clinical picture;
- level of depression of consciousness and others.
Stroke treatment: what do we offer?
In order to completely eliminate a cerebral stroke, treatment must be carried out under the supervision of highly professional doctors. Specialization of our doctors:
- Ischemic stroke of the brain, the treatment of which is quite successful even in very complex cases when one side of the body is paralyzed.
- Hemorrhagic stroke is a disease whose course is not accompanied by paralysis, but nevertheless requires an immediate response from doctors. The slightest delay or lack of professionalism can lead to disability, so do not experiment - call us immediately.
Upon entering our clinic, the patient immediately undergoes simple and perfusion computed tomography, as well as tomography of the neck vessels. The drug treatment for stroke depends on the results of the examination. Also, if necessary, invasive diagnostic angiography is performed, which will determine the location and size of the blood clot. Also, during the procedure, the blocked artery can be cleared mechanically.
In each specific case, depending on what kind of stroke is diagnosed, the cost of treatment may vary. The recovery plan is developed individually.
If a cerebral stroke is diagnosed, treatment may include:
- Drug therapy that will expand the lumen in the vessel and allow blood to flow freely.
- Surgery, including anatomical bypass, arotid endarterectomy of cerebral vessels, or installation of stent grafts in the carotid artery.
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment after a stroke will allow you to gain the opportunity to lead a full life. Exercise therapy specialists work with each patient according to an individually developed program for getting rid of the consequences of a stroke, which makes treatment even faster and more effective.
We cannot always predict the development of the situation, but we can say one thing for sure - stroke treatment in the hospital is carried out by doctors who make every effort to achieve a high result. We work to ensure that you live a full life.
First aid for strokes
You should not try to give patients tea, coffee, water, try to give them food, give them a massage, or offer them medications that they have not taken before. Those suffering from chronic blood pressure disorders or heart disease can be offered their usual medications to prevent acute attacks of hypertension and arrhythmia.
Adequate measures that are important to take before the arrival of the medical team:
- Sit or help the patient lie down in a comfortable position, put a pillow, a cushion of clothing or a towel under the head.
- Unfasten the belts, loosen the collar, ties, unfasten the buttons on the neck and chest, freeing your breath.
- Provide fresh air flow by opening doors and windows in the room.
- Measure the victim's blood pressure and pulse.
In the absence of independent breathing and consciousness, it is allowed to perform an indirect cardiac massage by rhythmically pressing on the chest. But only if you have the necessary skills.
Minimally invasive surgery: gentle treatment after ischemic stroke
One of the most common ways to neutralize the consequences of a stroke is treatment using a technology such as thrombolysis. During an angiogram, a drug is injected directly into the area where the blood clot has formed. The blockage disappears and blood circulation is restored.
Additionally, drugs are introduced that improve metabolic processes in the brain, so that after a stroke, treatment is faster and more effective. Delay is unacceptable; a diagnosis such as stroke can be treated in a hospital well with a timely response from doctors, when the brain has not yet received irreversible damage.
What drugs are used to treat ischemic stroke?
Specific therapy:
- glycine - at a dose of 1.0-2.0 g per day in the first days of a stroke;
- magnesium sulfate - at a dose of 65 mmol/day;
- Semax - at a dose of 12-18 mcg/kg per day for 5 days;
- Cerebrolysin - 30 ml per day;
- Cortexin - intramuscularly 10 mg 2 times a day for 10 days;
- citicoline - 1000 mg intravenously twice a day for 10 days, followed by oral administration of the drug 500 mg twice a day.
Antithrombotic therapy:
- acetylsalicylic acid - at a dose of 75-100 mg/day (1 μ/kg);
- dipyridamole - at a dose of 75-225 mg/day;
- clopidogrel - at a dose of 75 mg per day.
Anticoagulant therapy:
- rivaroxaban - at a dose of 20 mg 1 time per day;
- dabigatran etexilate - at a dose of 150 mg 2 times a day or 110 mg 2 times a day (with reduced glomerular filtration);
- apixaban - at a dose of 5 mg 2 times a day;
- warfarin - 5 mg/day for the first 4 days, from the 5th day a maintenance dose of the drug is prescribed, usually 2.5-7.5 mg/day (1-3 tablets).
Lipid-lowering therapy:
- simvastatin - at a dose of 40 mg per day.
Osmotic drugs:
- mannitol - at a dose of 0.5-1.0 g/kg every 3-6 hours;
- 10% glycerol - 250 ml every 6 hours intravenously quickly.
Decongestants:
- 3% sodium chloride solution - 100 ml 5 times a day.
Physiotherapy: stroke treatment, inpatient rehabilitation
How else can modern medicine help? Stroke treatment and rehabilitation must be comprehensive, including physical therapy. Stimulation of the nervous system will help restore brain cells and restore lost functions to a person.
Once a left-sided stroke is diagnosed, treatment may include:
- massage;
- classes with a neuropsychologist and psychotherapist;
- physical exercise.
Not everything, of course, depends on the doctors - recovery will be faster if the patient himself makes every effort and does not give up. For our part, we will make every effort to create a favorable atmosphere.
The page is for informational purposes only. Find out the exact list of services provided and the specifics of the procedures by calling.
What kind of help is provided at home?
At home, a neurologist examines the patient and records complaints. It measures blood pressure, pulse, checks motor skills, body temperature, and auscultation of the heart and lungs. The doctor also:
- checks the dynamics of the recovery process;
- determines the effectiveness of medications taken in order to correct therapeutic treatment;
- checks reflexes of the upper and lower extremities;
- assesses the patient's independent movements.
The neurologist also pays attention to facial expressions - symmetry or asymmetry, the severity of the nasolabial fold, pupillary reflexes and the work of the eyelid muscles.
The doctor pays attention to the quality of diction and intellectual abilities. Treatment is prescribed individually, taking into account the specific course of the disease. If necessary, additional therapeutic massage, a visit to a psychotherapist, or a speech therapist are prescribed.
Useful information on the topic:
- Appointment with a neurologist at the clinic
- Headache
- Facial neuritis
- General blood analysis
- Tests for tumor markers
- Sleep disturbance
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Numb hands
- Sugar tests
- Ultrasound of the veins of the lower extremities
- REG
- EEG
- Ultrasound of neck vessels
- Acupuncture
