Articles About Stroke

1. What Is a Stroke?

   Article - What is a stroke? A stroke can be ischemic or hemorrhagic -- ischemic stroke is from a blood clot, and hemorrhagic is from a ruptured blood vessel.

2. How a Stroke Is Diagnosed

   Article - To diagnose a stroke, a variety of tests may be needed. Here are some of the commonly used methods for stroke diagnosis.

3. 10 Questions to Ask After a Stroke

   Article - 10 questions to ask after a stroke. Is there is a recovery timeline after stroke? What is the prognosis after stroke? Get answers to aide in stroke recovery.

4. Diet and Stroke

   Article - Strokes affect thousands yearly. Know five common types of foods whose ingredients cause physical damage that directly increase the risk of stroke.

5. Stroke Websites

   Article - Not worried about stroke? You should be. It's a leading cause of death and disability -- but it can be prevented. Discover 7 stroke websites everyone should know.

6. 7 Tips for Improving Mealtimes After a Stroke

   Article - 7 practical tips to make eating safer and less stressful after a stroke -- and help a stroke survivor get the nutrition he needs.

7. Care After Stroke

   Article - The first stop after a stroke is the emergency room. This guide explains what to expect and offers ways to help with stroke recovery.

8. After a Stroke: The First Days to Weeks

   Article - Most spontaneous stroke recovery occurs during the first days to weeks. Here's what medical treatment to expect in the hospital, and how you can help.

9. Stroke Caregiver Support

   Article - 5 ways to get practical and emotional support after someone has a stroke -- and help the patient get extra support, too.

10. Making Someone's Home Safer After a Stroke

    Article - Tips and resources for making someone's home safe after a stroke, whether he's partially paralyzed, in a wheelchair, or uses a walker.

11. Dressing a Stroke Patient

    Article - Practical tips for dressing and undressing a stroke survivor.

12. Speech Therapy for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Speech therapy is the treatment of disorders that involve speaking, hearing, writing, reading, and other communication required for the activities of daily living. Speech therapists also teach people to swallow foods and liquids safely.

13. 10 Ways to Prevent a Stroke

    Article - Strokes currently affect an estimated four out of five families in the US -- find out how you can reduce your risk and that of the ones you love.

14. Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors

    Article - A physical therapist treats a person to relieve pain, build up and restore muscle function, and maintain the best possible performance. The therapist does this by using physical means such as active and passive exercise, massage, heat, water, and electricity. Broadly speaking, a physical therapist:

15. Bathing Tips for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Practical tips for showering and bathing after a stroke.

16. Complete Guide to Bathing for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Step-by-step guide for bathing stroke survivors, from those confined to bed to those who are mobile.

17. Occupational Therapy for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Occupational therapy is designed to help stroke survivors regain and build skills that are important for functioning on their own. The occupational therapist will help the person evaluate levels of function.

18. Stroke Recovery: Outpatient Rehabilitation

    Article - Stroke recovery is a long-term process. What to expect from a stroke survivor, physically and emotionally, and ways you can help him make the most of life.

19. 10 Vital Things to Look for in a Stroke Center

    Article - Learn the 10 most important things you should know when choosing a stroke center.

20. Toileting Tips for Stroke Survivors

    Article - A few helpful toileting tips when caring for a stroke survivor.

21. Stroke Care

    Article - Tips and information to help you figure out what kind of care your loved one will need after a stroke.

22. American Stroke Foundation: Interview With Joan McDowd

    Article - Discover 10 practical tips to help you interact with a stroke survivor, plus more helpful ideas from a leading nonprofit.

23. Stroke Prognosis: What You Should Know

    Article - Stroke prognosis depends on stroke type and location and the extent of brain damage. But there's no magic formula or timeline for recovery.

24. Stroke Risk Factors

    Article - Find out more about factors that put you at risk for stroke -- those you can't change, and those you can.

25. Muscle Spasticity After a Stroke

    Article - Muscle spasticity affects many people after a stroke. What muscle spasticity means is that muscles contract painfully, interfering with routine tasks.

26. Acute Stroke

    Article - The professionals at work during this stage of care may well save your survivor's life. As the caregiver, you won't have much interaction with this group. Think of your survivor's care as a chain of survival, and each professional is a link in that chain.

27. Healthcare Team for Stroke: Acute Rehab Stage

    Article - To be admitted to acute rehabilitation, your survivor must be able to do three hours of rehab a day -- 90 minutes of physical therapy and 90 minutes of occupational therapy. The links in this part of the chain include:

28. Stroke Memory Problems

    Article - After a stroke, a stroke patient usually has memory loss. Know what to expect after a stroke, and learn ways to deal with memory loss.

29. Perception Problems After a Stroke

    Article - Perception problems after a stroke are common. When someone has perception problems after a stroke, they have trouble with part of their visual field.

30. Feeling Anger When Caring for a Stroke Survivor

    Article - It is easy to feel victimized in this situation; you are caught up in someone else's illness. The natural response is anger. Unfortunately, that is not a helpful response. Unleashing anger on the person in your care never helps.

31. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

    Article - Learn more about transient ischemic attacks -- also called TIAs or "ministrokes". How they happen, signs and symptoms, and what to do.

32. Walking Problems

    Article - The way you walk can indicate a surprising number of things about your overall health. Here, 15 gaits that doctors say reveal clues about well-being.

33. Stroke Facts and Statistics

    Article - Discover important facts and figures about strokes.

34. 10 Surprising Clues to Stroke Risk

    Article - Some conditions that cause high risk of stroke are well known -- and some aren't. Learn the ten top stroke risks and how to counteract them.

35. Emergency Treatment for Stroke

    Article - Because brain cells die very quickly after a stroke begins, it is urgent to get treatment as soon as possible. If a stroke is left to run its course, millions of brain cells will die. Prompt treatment can stop that.

36. Acupuncture for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Learn about acupuncture for treating stroke survivors, alternative medicine and acupressure relief at Caring.com.

37. Public Pay Options for Stroke Care: Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

    Article - Health Maintenance Organizations are prepaid health insurance plans that give complete medical coverage for a fixed premium. Knowing whether an HMO is right for the person in your care requires careful study.

38. Catheters and Stroke Survivors

    Article - Background on catheters, Foley catheters, and practical tips for providing care to a patient with a catheter.

39. Checklist: Dealing with Physical and Emotional Burdens When Caring for a Stroke Survivor

40. Where to Find Professional Help or Support Groups

    Article - the community pages of the phone directory the local county medical society, which can provide a list of counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists religious service agencies community health clinics religious and spiritual advisors United Way's "First Call for Help" a hospital's social...

41. Cincinnati Stroke Scale

    Article - F (face) FACIAL DROOP: Have patient smile or show teeth. Is the smile even or lop-sided? Normal: Both sides of the face move equally or not at all. Abnormal: One side of the patient's face droops.

42. Equipment and Supplies

    Article - To provide proper at-home care, you will need certain supplies. There are two types:

43. Driving After a Stroke

    Article - After a stroke, you should reevaluate your loved one's ability to drive. Spot the signals that indicate driving may be unsafe.

44. When You Doubt the Time Is Right for Discharge

    Article - NOTE: According to federal law, a hospital must release patients in a safe manner or else must keep them in the hospital. Letting a patient leave the hospital is not wise if the person has constant fever, infection, or pain that cannot be controlled, confusion, disorientation (no sense of time or place), or is unable to take food and liquids by mouth...

45. Health Care Team for Stroke

    Article - There are many levels of outpatient care programs. In some, therapists come to the home to deliver therapy; others may require the survivor to go into a facility. Either way, it will be a therapist and not a doctor who is involved with the survivor and family caregiver on a day-to-day basis...

46. Teeth Care for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Practical tips on providing teeth care to a stroke survivor.

47. Using the Health Care Team Effectively

    Article - When you care for someone in the home, you must also manage that person's health care. This means choosing a good medical team, keeping costs down, arranging for medical appointments, and getting the best, least expensive medicines. It also means knowing what the insurance rules are and, most important...

48. Swallowing Difficulties After a Stroke

    Article - Swallowing difficulties are common after a stroke. Here’s how to address swallowing difficulties for stroke victims.

49. Language Problems After a Stroke

    Article - People who've had a stroke often have trouble with language. Language trouble may improve in a stroke victim with help from you and a therapist.

50. Behavior After Stroke

    Article - After a stroke, a stroke patient may exhibit changes in behavior. Know what to expect after a stroke, and learn how to deal with unexpected behavior.

51. Setting Up a Plan of Care

    Article - A plan of care is a daily record of the care and treatment a person needs on a daily basis. The plan helps you and anyone who assists you with caregiving tasks.

52. Caring for a Stroke Survivor: Is Home Care for You?

    Article - The need to provide care for another person arises for many reasons. Often, the person who needs care does not realize it and family members must step in to help make decisions. One of those decisions involves who the caregiver will be and where care will be provided. The choices can be difficult unless you know what to consider...

53. Getting In-Home Help for Stroke Care

    Article - Getting help with caregiving in the home involves the following options:

54. Foot Care for Stroke Survivors

    Article - Practical steps to help caregivers learn how to provide proper foot care for a stroke survivor.

55. Checklist: Coming Home From The Hospital

56. How to Pay for Medical Equipment

    Article - If you need assistance in paying for medical equipment:

57. Medical Equipment for the Bathroom

    Article - The equipment you will need depends on the person's needs. You should consider providing the following:

58. Medical Equipment for the Bedroom

    Article - The equipment you need to have depends on the person's medical condition. This equipment might include some of the items listed below.

59. Mobility Aids

    Article - Practical tips on how to help your elderly parents cope when mobility is impaired -- and how to help them get around.

60. What to Buy When Providing Home Care for Someone With Stroke

    Article - antibacterial hand cleaner (kills germs) bacteriostatic ointment (stops the growth of germs) bandages, gauze pads, tape blankets (2 or 3) cotton balls and swabs toothbrush, toothpaste denture or dental care items kidney-shaped basin for oral care container for disposing of syringes (needles...

61. Where to Borrow Equipment When Providing Home Care

    Article - For short-term use, think about borrowing equipment from the following local groups:

62. Healthcare Team for Stroke: Acute Rehab Stage

    Article - To be admitted to acute rehabilitation, your survivor must be able to do three hours of rehab a day -- 90 minutes of physical therapy and 90 minutes of occupational therapy. The links in this part of the chain include:

63. Healthcare Team for Stroke: Sub-Acute Rehab Stage

    Article - Sub-acute rehab is for survivors who can't go home and who can't perform three hours of rehab daily. Usually, people in these skilled nursing facilities receive an hour to 90 minutes of rehab a day. Although orders for care will come from a doctor, the family or caregiver will generally interact with nurses and therapists...

64. Healthcare Team for Stroke: At-Home Care Stage

    Article - There are many levels of outpatient care programs. In some, therapists come to the home to deliver therapy; others may require the survivor to go into a facility. Either way, it will be a therapist and not a doctor who is involved with the survivor and family caregiver on a day-to-day basis...

65. Eating Tips for Stroke Survivors

    Article - A few practical tips to make eating safer after a stroke.

66. Feeding the Person Who Is Disabled

    Article - A few practical tips to make eating safer and less stressful for a disabled loved one -- and help him get the nutrition he needs.

67. Stroke and Depression

    Article - Understanding the emotional aftermath of a stroke, including the warning signs of depression and what you can do to help.

68. Making a Bathroom Safer for a Stroke Survivor

    Article - A bathroom can be dangerous for someone who's had a stroke. Here's how to help a stroke survivor bathe, groom, and use the toilet safely.

69. Making a Bedroom Safer for a Stroke Survivor

    Article - How to make someone's bedroom safe and comfortable after a stroke. Plus, how to help him keep as much privacy and autonomy as possible.

70. Making Someone's Kitchen Safer After a Stroke

    Article - Practical tips and resources to make someone's kitchen safe after a stroke. Plus, how to modify the kitchen for someone in a wheelchair.

71. Stairs Safety After Stroke

    Article - When an older adult has had a stroke, here's how to make the stairs -- both inside and out -- as safe as possible.

72. How to Tell if Someone Is Having a Stroke

    Article - How to tell if someone is having a stroke. 5 stroke symptoms to watch for and what to do if someone shows symptoms of a stroke.

73. Preparing for a Stroke Emergency: What You Should Know If Someone Is At Risk

    Article - Is someone close to you at risk for a stroke? This practical guide will help you prepare for a stroke emergency.

74. Making the Most of the Stroke Rehabilitation Team

    Article - When someone has a stroke, you can aid in his recovery not just by supporting him emotionally and physically but by helping to choose and coordinate the stroke rehabilitation team. Here are six ways to do it.

75. Bowel Incontinence Care

    Article - Fecal or bowel incontinence can be caused by Alzheimer's, stroke, Parkinson's, and other diseases that strike older adults. Learn how you can help.

76. 14 Things Your Eyes Say About Your Health

    Article - The appearance of a person's eyes can be clues to a variety of health issues. Know the 14 most important health hints your eyes give away.