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Life after a stroke – The road to recovery

Stroke rehabilitation is a vital part of helping you to relearn skills you lost if stroke has affected a part of your brain.

It can take a long time to recover from a stroke, and while many people do make a full recovery, others are left with permanent disabilities. Rehabilitation is a vital part of the recovery process – it helps survivors adapt to any physical problems they may have developed as a result of the stroke. It also helps stroke survivors claim back as much independence and confidence as possible.

Stroke damage

Your brain is a highly complex organ, and it controls how your body functions. If a particular part of the brain is damaged due to stroke, it will impair the part of the body that it controls. In almost every case of a stroke, it has potentially devastating effects on the sufferer, and often their families as well. These include paralysis on one or both sides of the body, vision problems, speech/language problems (difficulty speaking, reading, writing or understanding), impaired memory, difficulty swallowing/eating, depression and other emotional issues, and incontinence.

Preventing further stroke

After a stroke, it’s also very important to make healthy lifestyle changes, not only to help aid recovery and manage any symptoms, but also to reduce the likelihood of suffering a second stroke.

To reduce your risk and aid in recovery after a stroke you need to:

  • Aim for a healthy body weight, by eating healthily and exercising
  • Stop smoking and using any other tobacco products
  • Be as active as your body allows. Work with your doctor or physiotherapist to establish which exercises and activities are safe for you to do.
  • Take any medication exactly as your doctor prescribes
  • Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels under control
  • Drink alcohol in moderation – 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men.

Healthy, balanced diet guidelines:

  • Lower your blood cholesterol levels by eating less saturated fat, trans-fats and cholesterol. This means cutting down on butter, cream, cheese, creamy sauces, processed meats, organ meats, pies and fried foods
  • Limit the amount of red meat you eat to no more than 2-3 times a week. Choose leaners cuts or trim away any visible fat.
  • Replace these unhealthy fats with healthy unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, raw and unsalted nuts and seeds, and avocado.
  • Fresh fish, especially oily fish such as sardines, pilchards, mackerel, fresh tuna and salmon, are packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Aim to eat oily fish at least twice a week.
  • Eat fresh, colourful fruit and vegetables, and aim for at least 5-8 servings a day
  • Choose high-fibre food such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, beans, lentils and split peas. Aim to eat these types of starches at least twice a week
  • Cut down on your salt intake – this means eating less processed foods, convenience meals, takeaways, and powdered soup and gravies.