Introduction
Stroke recovery is a long process that takes several weeks, months or even years. The sooner you start your recovery and get back to your normal life, the better off you will be. Here are some tips for getting on the road to recovery as quickly as possible:
1. Get out of bed as soon as possible after you have been admitted to the hospital.
- Get out of bed as soon as possible after you have been admitted to the hospital.
It is important to move as soon as possible after a stroke, even if you are in pain or weak, because movement is the best way for your brain to recover from damage caused by the stroke. You may need help getting out of bed and moving around, but it’s better than being stuck in bed all day!
- . Work with a physical therapist who specializes in working with people who have had strokes (called a “stroke physical therapist”).
If you do not already have one, ask your doctor if they know someone who might be able to help you get up and moving again after a stroke. It is very important that this person knows how to work with people who have had strokes before so that they know how much movement is safe for you at this time!
2. Start physical therapy as soon as you are able.
Starting physical therapy as soon as you are able is one of the most important steps for stroke recovery. Physical therapy helps people regain mobility, strength, and balance through stretching and exercises. In addition to these benefits, it can also help you regain function that you lost due to your stroke. It’s also extremely important to do exercises on a regular basis with your therapist so that they will have time to work with you in between sessions. Whether it’s daily walks around the neighborhood or practicing yoga at home, physical activity is essential for preventing future injuries.
3. Find out how much movement you are allowed to do, and then do that amount every day.
As soon as a stroke survivor is able to move, they should do so. The more movement a stroke survivor gets, the faster they will recover.
As soon as you are able, begin walking around your room and try to stand up unassisted if possible. When you can walk around the hospital ward or rehabilitation center without assistance (even if it’s just in small circles), ask your doctor when it is safe for you to go home so that he or she can be sure there aren’t any complications with your recovery process before sending you home.
4. Do the exercises at home that you are taught in physical therapy.
>4. Do the exercises at home that you are taught in physical therapy.
If you are receiving physical therapy, then you can do the exercises at home to help speed up your recovery. Ask your therapist to give you a copy of the written instructions for each exercise so that there is no confusion about what to do exactly and how often they should be done. The goal is to have each session completed within 20 minutes, three times a week for six weeks straight if possible (and then once every other day).
5. Take your medication exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor.
When you’ve just suffered a stroke, your doctor will prescribe medications to help you get back on your feet. These medications are often taken daily and they can make an enormous difference in how quickly and successfully you recover.
- Take your medication exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Make sure you take them with a full glass of water and don’t skip doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember or call your pharmacist for advice.
- Ask about the potential side effects of any new medication before taking it (for example: nausea or constipation). If necessary, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or timing of when the medicine is taken based on other drugs (such as blood pressure medication) that are being taken concurrently with the prescribed medications for stroke recovery.
6. Work with a speech therapist if you have trouble eating or communicating.
If you have trouble eating or communicating, a speech therapist can help. A speech therapist is a professional who helps with swallowing, communication and language problems. They can also help with memory problems by helping you to remember the right words to say when talking.
The sooner you get help from a speech therapist, the better your chances of recovery will be.
7. Eat a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber every day.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber every day. It’s important to maintain good nutrition during the recovery process so you can regain the strength you lost during your stroke. In addition to consuming the recommended daily allowance of calories for your age group (which changes based on gender), make sure to eat foods rich in nutrients like vitamins A and C as well as iron.
- Sample meals:
Breakfast: oatmeal with blueberries or strawberries; apple slices with peanut butter or almond butter; scrambled eggs with spinach/tomato/onion mix
Lunch: salad with chicken breast & dressing (oil-free) + nuts + avocado slices ; Whole wheat pasta salad w/veggies & beans; soup w/whole grain bread
Make sure to start moving early and seek treatment from a physical therapist and speech therapist if necessary
It is important to start moving as soon as possible after your stroke. Research shows that the sooner you start moving, the better your recovery will be.
If you are in a hospital, a physical therapist and speech therapist often work together on stroke patients. It’s very important to get these services at least once a week for about one year after your stroke so that you can recover as much function as possible.
One simple exercise that can help with muscle strength and coordination is picking up objects from table tops and placing them down again repeatedly (like putting down plates or cups). You can also practice walking around the house or yard, or going up and down stairs if these are safe for you to do. These types of exercises can help with balance and coordination too!
Conclusion
If you follow these seven tips, the chances are good that you will recover more quickly from your stroke. It’s important to remember that each person’s recovery journey is different and may take some time. But with proper treatment and by following these steps, you can make sure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible.