Stroke is generally diagnosed by a neurological examination. Sometimes symptoms are apparent, but it is necessary to ask the patient – or, if the patient is unconscious or too disoriented to answer questions, a companion – what happened leading up to and during the attack. Blood tests, electrocardiogram, CT scanning, and other tests are usually performed, as well. Stroke is a severe medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. People who suspect that they or someone around them may be having a stroke should get medical help as soon as possible by dialing 911 and getting to the emergency room right away.
Depending on what kind of stroke the patient has had, treatment can vary. Anticoagulants can be helpful in the case of a stroke caused by a blood clot, and they can reduce the risk of such strokes happening again. In the case of hemorrhagic stroke, anticoagulants cannot be used, because they can increase the level of bleeding in the brain. Other drugs may also be administered to protect brain cells and reduce the damage caused by insufficient blood flow that characterizes stroke. There is also a drug called tissue plasminogen activator, or TPA, which can treat ischemic stroke by breaking down blockages and preventing neuron death if administered within a few hours of the stroke’s occurrence.
Rehabilitation after a stroke can vary in effectiveness, from only mild improvement to a complete recovery. There are several treatments and techniques available for patients who have had a stroke. These include surgery, physical therapy to help patients regain physical ability, psychotherapy to help patients combat the depression and other mental symptoms that occur post-stroke, and speech therapy to help patients regain speech or communication skills. Help for learning disabilities may also be necessary.
