Spinal Stroke: Brief Guide to Help With Treatment and Rehab

 

We are all aware that a lack of blood supply to the brain can result in strokes. When blood flow is disrupted and the spinal cord does not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients for any reason, a spinal stroke occurs in a manner similar to that of a blood clot. Due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, spinal cells become damaged and die.

Stroke affects more than 12.2 million people; Spinal stroke affects 1% of people. Despite the fact that stroke kills 3.3 million people annually. Source: World Stroke Organization (world-stroke.org) emphasizes the importance of comprehending the disease's essential components as well as its treatment and rehabilitation options.

Spinal Stroke

This medical condition is caused by a disruption in the blood supply to the spinal cord. How well the spinal cord works depends on how well the blood flows. Information that travels from the brain to various body parts passes through the spine. Tissues may suffer harm or damage if blood flow is disrupted, and messages that typically travel along the spinal cord may become obstructed.

Through a complex web of blood vessels, blood enters the spinal cord. The anterior spinal artery, which is located at the front of the spinal cord, and the posterior spinal artery, which is located at the back, are the primary blood vessels in the spinal cord. The majority of spinal strokes occur in the anterior spinal artery. A stroke of the spine is uncommon. They are less common than brain-affecting strokes.

Causes of Spinal Stroke

Blood clots or disruptions in the blood supply are the primary cause of spinal stroke, as we discussed. However, the following are some additional significant factors that disrupt blood flow and contribute to the illness.

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease or a family history of heart disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Lack of exercise

By placing additional stress on the circulatory system, each of these factors increases the likelihood of blood vessels becoming damaged or dysfunctional.

Symptoms of Spinal Stroke

The symptoms of this kind of stroke are determined by the parts of the spinal cord that are affected and the amount of damage to the spinal cord. The onset of symptoms can occur hours or even days after a stroke.

• Sudden, excruciating back or neck pain
• Leg muscle sluggishness issues
• Bladder and bowels controlling issue
• Tingling feelings
• Paralysis
• Difficulties while speaking,
• Difficulties while speaking,
• Problem with vision
• Uncertainty dizziness  
• Jolting headache

Treatment and Rehab for Spinal Stroke

The treatment will vary from patient to patient because each patient has unique symptoms. Additionally, every individual's recovery process and experience are unique.

The patient will be given medication to thin the blood and make it less sticky in order to reduce the risk of blood clots in the event that the stroke rehabilitation is caused by a blockage or ischaemic stroke. Another option that the doctor may suggest is taking an antiplatelet medication, which reduces the stickiness of platelets and lowers the risk of blood clot formation.

Doctors may advise patients with high cholesterol or blood pressure to take certain medications. Most people take multiple blood pressure medications because there are so many options. The medication may be tailored by the doctor based on your condition and reports.

Rehab with Virtual Reality

A crucial part of treatment is physical therapy. The patient collaborates with the physical therapist on a variety of motor skill-enhancing exercises for a predetermined amount of time. The physical therapist says that the patient should do the exercises at home to get the most out of them, but most patients don't want to. In this instance, virtual reality can be of assistance.

Using virtual reality, you can practice skills or movements in a fun and safe setting. The more virtual reality-enabled activities performed during therapy sessions, the better the functional and overall outcomes should be. Additionally, it contributes to improved mobility. In addition, the doctors can keep an eye on the patient's activities and make any necessary adjustments based on feedback.

The patient can experience the situation in real time and gain confidence as a result of customization. Numerous studies indicate that patients who underwent VR-based spinal cord rehabilitation made faster progress than those who underwent conventional physical therapy.

Spinal cord injury and stroke patients benefit from virtual reality games. They may become better at throwing and catching as a result of playing these games. Patients with spinal cord injuries and stroke issues are receiving assistance from VR stroke rehabilitation programs.

Conclusion

It is never ideal for losing control and movement of limbs due to any health issue. However, taking back the command in your hand is essential. Synergy Physiotherapy always better than cure; therefore, if you are facing any fundamental health issues such as blood pressure or diabetes, check yourself regularly. In unfortunate situations, if you suffer from Spinal Stroke, put your best effort into a rehab program to rejuvenate again. 

We make it as simple as possible to schedule a physiotherapy appointment in Bangalore. Contact us via WhatsApp or telephone, and the synergy Physiotherapy Center Near You will assist you.

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