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Stroke is the third leading cause of death each year in the United States with nearly 700,000 victims per year. Unfortunately, over half of all victim has no previous symptoms, according to the American Stroke Association. For this reason, the test could be crucial in preventive maintenance of a optimal health, as the effects of this condition can be devastating. Here are five ways a stroke can make your life more difficult.
Physical problems
The physical effects of a stroke can be devastating and can seriously affect a person's quality of life. Weakness or paralysis often makes working, eating, bathing, tying shoes, and dress without help extremely difficult if not impossible. Severe joint pain due to muscle spasms and pain with touch or temperature changes are common. In many cases, patients require wheelchairs for mobility.
In addition, nearly half of all victims have trouble swallowing, which can cause malnutrition, dehydration, suffocation, or death. Weakened lips and tongue muscles can also the unclear language. Many vision problems can also occur, making it difficult not to spill on the dinner table or bumping into things. Vision problems can also make driving impossible. Sexual dysfunction and bladder or bowel incontinence also affects many patients.
Cognitive or mental problems
It can also cause cognitive problems. Victims often experience difficulties with reasoning, problem-solving skills, concentration problems and difficulty with short-term memory. They also may not be aware of their surroundings and are feeling sad and depressed.
Many patients also suffer problems in environments social. Victims may be unable to stay on topic and often have inadequate responses or actions, of being too emotional or apartment in his speech. Many also have difficulty understanding the subtleties of language such as sarcasm or humor and may be unable to hold talks during rapid pace.
Social Challenges
Activities of daily life can be difficult too. Seemingly simple tasks such as paying bills, cooking, doing shopping or taking care of pets may be impossible after a stroke. Even household cleaning or remembering to take medication can be difficult. The more complex tasks such as driving may be impossible. The level of independence of a person experienced in the past can diminish significantly after an event causing great emotional distress for the patient and his family.
Financial Challenges
Besides the emotional cost, the financial burden which can be devastating too. Even for the insured, the cost may be large. The direct costs, such as money for hospital stays, doctors, foster elderly, rehabilitation, medication and therapy can be very high. In addition, indirect costs such as lost productivity, increase rapidly. Due that only about 53 percent of survivors are able to return to work, income is generally much smaller. Many end up losing their homes or unable to pay their bills. According to the U.S. Centers Control and Prevention of stroke-related costs in 2007 amounted to about 62.7 billion dollars, or about $ 140,000 per patient.
On the Family Burden
Financial problems are also family burden of a patient. Family members may have to pay medical bills and other expenses if the patient is unable to work. Moreover, because family members are often the primary caregivers after a patient is discharged from the hospital or nursing home, many are unable to continue working for themselves, because of the hours needed for feeding, bathing, attending to personal hygiene, and provide emotional support to their loved ones.
Strokes make a dent in the mental health of the family, too. Caring for a patient can be emotionally taxation. Many family caregivers say they feel loneliness, anxiety and depression and may feel isolated because limitations in their social life.
Many strokes can be avoided with preventive screening. Ultrasound of the carotid arteries by a sonographer expert is painless and is the best predictor of stroke and heart disease. Screenings are fast and convenient and can save your life. Some companies even offer mobile screening events in the community schools, churches or businesses. Are you at risk? Get screened and you will know what measures may need to take.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Stroke Risk: 5 Ways Stroke Can Disrupt Your Life
