How Do You Recover From a Massive Stroke?

What is the difference between a massive stroke and a general sort of stroke? What types of ongoing issues may occur following a massive stroke? If you are currently recovering from a massive stroke, what are some of the therapies you should know about? We will answer these questions in our article today. Pay particular attention to the section on paralysis recovery if this is one of the long-term symptoms that you are experiencing in the wake of your stroke. 

What Sets a Massive Stroke Apart?

The term massive stroke simply refers to the severity of the stroke. Doctors use the term massive to describe a stoke when a large portion of the brain is denied blood during the episode. However, all strokes, even minor ones, involve part of the brain not getting oxygen for a time. Since a more substantial portion of the brain not getting oxygen causes more significant problems (and a higher risk of death), the stroke is referred to as massive. 

Without oxygen, a portion of the brain may die. The long-term effects of a stroke will depend on the parts of the brain affected. About one in five patients die from a stroke because the part of the brain that experiences damage controls vital functions like breathing. If less essential elements of the brain are the ones that die, you may not even know you are suffering a stroke when it happens. So the severity and symptoms of a stroke can vary greatly. 

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Massive Stroke? 

A person who experiences a massive stroke is more likely to encounter a number of these symptoms because a larger area of the brain suffers from the lack of oxygen. Therefore, you may find that you are dealing with several or even all of these long-term effects. However, do not let this list bring you down. We’re also going to look at therapies that can assist in your recovery. 

• Paralysis – If the muscles no longer function because the part of the brain that provides function is no longer working, certain parts of the body may be completely paralyzed. 
• Muscle weakness – When signals are partially interrupted, you may experience muscle weakness instead of complete paralysis. 
• Numbness – Numbness occurs when there is nerve damage. 
• Incontinence – This is common among paralysis patients but may also be independent of paralysis. 
• Pain – This occurs due to muscle spasms. When the brain cannot control the muscles properly, they may remain contracted too long. Spasticity is another way to refer to these muscle spasms. 
• Loss of speech, vision, or appetite – A massive stroke can affect the muscles of the face and throat. This can lead to issues with speech, swallowing, making facial expressions, and more. There may also be an impact on vision.
• Pneumonia – Up to a fifth of stroke survivors will get pneumonia. This may be due to bodily secretions, food, or other substances getting into the lungs. The body has natural defenses to keep this from happening, but they may no longer function properly after the stroke. 

• Pressure sores – If you experience paralysis as a result of your stroke, you may end up with pressure sores due to a lack of movement. 

7 Solid Indicators You Are Recovering Well from a Stroke

Paralysis Recovery After a Massive Stroke 

With these potential complications in mind, let’s consider some potential therapies for someone recovering following a massive stroke. We will focus mainly on paralysis recovery methods. However, you may also benefit from speech therapy, occupational therapy, or psychological counseling, depending on your symptoms and emotional reaction to your new circumstances. 

If you experience paralysis following your stroke, occupational therapy will provide you with alternative ways to take care of day-to-day tasks. Of course, you will also want to focus on recovering as much of your function as possible. That is why we want to present these paralysis recovery options.

• Physical therapy – The idea behind physical therapy is to add strength to muscles that still function. Exercise will also help to improve balance and can assist you in avoiding the loss of muscle mass or bone density.
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) – This is a way to activate the paralyzed parts of the body. It allows them to get some exercise and can also help maintain muscle mass. Additionally, the stimulation may help the nervous system to rewire communication to restore some function potentially. 
• Gait training – Gait training involves helping a person learn to walk again with a natural pattern. A gait training therapy device like the Lokomat is particularly beneficial for those with complete or partial paralysis.  The therapist can control how much effort the patient must put forth and how much comes from an exoskeleton that walks on the treadmill for you. 
• Activity-based therapy – Activity-based therapy involves repeated movements that help the nervous system to rewire itself. Once again, the goal is to try and restore as much function as possible.

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