When a patient has suffered a stroke, IV medications are the treatment implemented in the beginning and oral medications are prescribed during recovery and rehabilitation. Treatment for stroke should be administered within three hours of symptoms to avoid complications such as severe brain damage or death. Initially, the goal of treatment is to restore uninterrupted blood flow throughout the body.
Stroke is caused by two types of blood clots. The first, embolus is when a piece of a clot breaks free and travels to another area of the body. The second, called a thrombus is a blood clot which forms inside the artery and does not travel.
Medications:
The role of medication is to restore blood flow to the cells. Some meds are used to dissolve clots, and others work to prevent cells from adhering to each other, which result in the formation of a blood clot.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator ( tPA): Is a clot busting medication given through an IV line, administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. It works by breaking down the fibrin strands, and can only be given for ischemic strokes.
Antiplatelet Meds: Prevent platelet cells from adhering to each other. Aspirin Aggrenox Plavix: Is an antiplatelet to slow clotting time. Aggrenox and Plavix replace aspirin when it is contraindicated. The inhibition of clotting can lead to severe bleeding episodes, and is a side effect of using these drugs.
Anticoagulants:
Heparin Warfarin (Coumadin)
Used in the prevention of blood clots in the heart due to atrial facilitation, anticoagulants also come with certain risk for side effects. These include bruising and hemorrhage.
Vitamin K is essential to the body for natural clotting so this should be monitored closely by a physician in a patient currently taking Heparin or Coumadin as it can inhibit its effects. This vitamin is commonly found in green vegetables. While this doesn't mean the patient should stop eating green vegetables, it does mean that the medication may have to be adjusted in order to accommodate this vitamin intake.
Recovery:
Once a patient is stable they will be released from the hospital to either a rehab facility, home and outpatient therapy or home where therapy can commence. There is no set timeframe for recovery and treatment. It can last six months or longer and is a lifelong endeavor for the patient.
Anyone who has suffered a stroke may require time to become accustomed to the changes to their lives and their loved ones will need time as well. Changes such as wheel chair ramps or hand rails in the bathroom may be required.
If the patient is bed ridden, a hospital bed may be necessary. Special beds will help to prevent the incidence of decubitus ulcers from forming on the bony prominences of the body such as the elbow, heels, and pelvis bones. To prevent ulcers, make sure the patient is turned on to the left side and right side, alternating sides, propped on pillows every 2 hours. This is very important not only to prevent bed sores, but prevention of pneumonia as well. Elevating the feet to keep heels free from any type of pressure will prevent ulcers in this area.
Any reddened areas on the skin indicate a need for repositioning to prevent further skin breakdown. Be sure to notify the physician if skin break down occurs.
Stroke is caused by two types of blood clots. The first, embolus is when a piece of a clot breaks free and travels to another area of the body. The second, called a thrombus is a blood clot which forms inside the artery and does not travel.
Medications:
The role of medication is to restore blood flow to the cells. Some meds are used to dissolve clots, and others work to prevent cells from adhering to each other, which result in the formation of a blood clot.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator ( tPA): Is a clot busting medication given through an IV line, administered within 3 hours of symptom onset. It works by breaking down the fibrin strands, and can only be given for ischemic strokes.
Antiplatelet Meds: Prevent platelet cells from adhering to each other. Aspirin Aggrenox Plavix: Is an antiplatelet to slow clotting time. Aggrenox and Plavix replace aspirin when it is contraindicated. The inhibition of clotting can lead to severe bleeding episodes, and is a side effect of using these drugs.
Anticoagulants:
Heparin Warfarin (Coumadin)
Used in the prevention of blood clots in the heart due to atrial facilitation, anticoagulants also come with certain risk for side effects. These include bruising and hemorrhage.
Vitamin K is essential to the body for natural clotting so this should be monitored closely by a physician in a patient currently taking Heparin or Coumadin as it can inhibit its effects. This vitamin is commonly found in green vegetables. While this doesn't mean the patient should stop eating green vegetables, it does mean that the medication may have to be adjusted in order to accommodate this vitamin intake.
Recovery:
Once a patient is stable they will be released from the hospital to either a rehab facility, home and outpatient therapy or home where therapy can commence. There is no set timeframe for recovery and treatment. It can last six months or longer and is a lifelong endeavor for the patient.
Anyone who has suffered a stroke may require time to become accustomed to the changes to their lives and their loved ones will need time as well. Changes such as wheel chair ramps or hand rails in the bathroom may be required.
If the patient is bed ridden, a hospital bed may be necessary. Special beds will help to prevent the incidence of decubitus ulcers from forming on the bony prominences of the body such as the elbow, heels, and pelvis bones. To prevent ulcers, make sure the patient is turned on to the left side and right side, alternating sides, propped on pillows every 2 hours. This is very important not only to prevent bed sores, but prevention of pneumonia as well. Elevating the feet to keep heels free from any type of pressure will prevent ulcers in this area.
Any reddened areas on the skin indicate a need for repositioning to prevent further skin breakdown. Be sure to notify the physician if skin break down occurs.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and established health writer on Clivir.com where she shares her experience and knowledge about Stroke Diet Tips and Common Effects of Stroke.
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