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Surviving stroke
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Stroke victims can strengthen their muscles through suitable exercises
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STROKE USUALLY results from a critical loss of blood supply to a part of the brain. In this sense, stroke - "brain attack" is similar to myocardial infarction - "heart attack". In fact, the risk factors for both conditions are similar - smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemias, etc. Stroke often kills. Survivors commonly have long-term movement and speech disabilities. Residual partial paralysis burdens the patient by interfering with daily actions like walking, dressing and bathing. A stroke survivor must work twice as hard to do these actions. Such residual paralysis is also a health risk in itself because it encourages inactivity that in turn weakens muscles further. Combined with the usual risk factors for stroke, such inactivity can be lethal. Stroke rehabilitation initially requires special guidance from a trained physiotherapist.
Tailor-made exercises for strengthening the functions essential for daily life - finger dexterity, walking, speech, balance, etc improve the quality of life of a stroke victim. Traditional aerobic exercises too can improve the quality of life after a stroke, but survivors are usually reluctant to give them a chance. With patience and a little ingenuity, it is possible for stroke victims to have a satisfying and healthful workout.
Take the treadmill, for example. Who wants to get on a treadmill with one half of the body paralyzed? But a stroke survivor might actually find the hand rails on the equipment reassuring. If the patient is too weak to stand upright, a simple harness that supports the patient in upright stance, with feet barely touching the treadmill surface, helps exercise the walking muscles without having to bear bodyweight. A similar harness overhanging a stationary bicycle can facilitate cross-training that targets the muscles ignored by the treadmill. Gait and limb strength improve with such exercises.
Exercising in a swimming pool is another great way of reducing the burden of bodyweight. Splashing around in the shallow waters of a pool can improve joint mobility, muscle strength and cardiovascular capacity without being overly stressful.Aerobic exercise does not improve resting blood pressure in a stroke survivor, but it decreases the extent to which blood pressure rises during exercise.Heart attack is one of the leading causes of mortality in stroke survivors. Regular aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular capacity and thus increases the chances of long-term survival in a stroke victim.
RAJIV.M
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