Duration of healing

No generally valid statement can be made about the duration of the healing process. The healing process is strongly dependent on the start of therapy, the affected vessel and the location of the damaged area. With a minor stroke, only small vessels supplying the brain are affected.

The neurological deficit is small. Patients recover correspondingly quickly. In a major stroke, on the other hand, one of the main vessels is affected.

A large number of brain cells are destroyed in this process. As a result, patients suffer from severe deficits such as paralysis, speech disorders, impaired vision or even impaired consciousness. Due to a plasticity of the brain, cells from other brain areas can take over the partially lost functions.

This leads to a clinical improvement, but the symptoms do not disappear completely. Some patients even remain in need of help or care for the rest of their lives. The greatest progress can be achieved within the first 6 months, as it is during this period that most of the brain reorganization takes place.

This improves the chances of recovery from a stroke

The chances of recovery are quite individual and depend on the affected vessel and the damaged area. However, there are some criteria which significantly improve the prognosis. Early treatment is particularly important.

The therapy can only be started in the first 4.5 hours, which is why an immediate medical consultation is crucial. If the start was uncertain or more than 4.5 hours have passed, one should still immediately present oneself at a hospital. Admission to a stroke unit significantly improves the patient’s prognosis and is important for finding the cause of the stroke and initiating prophylaxis and rehabilitation.

The treatment here is carried out with a drug lysis therapy or mechanical recanalization. Lysis therapy involves dissolving the blood clot blocking the vessel with medication. In recanalization, on the other hand, the whole procedure is carried out intraoperatively and then a stent (a kind of metal spiral) is inserted to prevent the vessel from closing again.

Treatment in a stroke unit is also important. Stroke units are facilities that specialize in the treatment of strokes. There, patients are monitored and optimized therapy is carried out.

In addition, early rehabilitation measures are initiated there. In addition to these assured measures, there are other criteria that increase the chances of a cure. These include the motivation to perform the exercises of the physiotherapists and the avoidance of risk factors such as nicotine or excessive alcohol consumption.

A healthy lifestyle and sporting activity can also have a positive effect. Of course, after a stroke, the avoidance and treatment of complications such as swallowing disorders, cardiac arrhythmia or infections is very important. A quick start of rehabilitation measures prevents complications.

Patients should get out of bed early if they are stable. Preferably within the first two days after the event. This can help to avoid thromboses and pneumonia.

Early exercise is also crucial, as up to 80% of patients suffer from paralysis. Since the stroke is not only a physical but often also a psychological burden for those affected, the social support of relatives is particularly important. This can make it easier for them to get started in everyday and working life.

If the speech center is damaged, the chances of recovery vary considerably. The chances depend on the type of disorder and the degree of severity. Every third stroke patient is affected by a speech disorder (aphasia).

Basically there are different speech disorders. The patient may have difficulty speaking, but understands what is being said to him. He may also still have the ability to speak, but what he says makes no sense.

Sometimes severely affected patients can neither understand nor speak (global aphasia). In general, however, it can be said that early rehabilitation has a positive effect. It is best to start rehabilitation therapy directly after the acute treatment.

First of all, one should determine the type of disorder in order to be able to carry out a targeted therapy.In the further course, speech therapists, speech therapists and linguists support the patient with individually adapted exercises. These exercises improve the understanding of speech and facilitate linguistic utterances. The aim of these exercises is to stimulate nerve cells.

This promotes the reorganization and neighboring brain areas can take over lost functions in this way. Two factors are particularly important for the recovery of speech functions: time and staged training. Staged training includes speech therapy, if possible for at least five hours per week.

This significantly improves the chances of regaining speech. However, the patient’s own initiative also plays a major role here, as independent practice can accelerate or maintain healing. Unfortunately, it is still the case that in about two thirds of those affected, the speech disorders do not completely disappear.

Besides the type of disorder, the level of the disorder is also important. If basic structures are damaged, they cannot be compensated for as well. If complex structures are damaged, the simple, basic structures can work well together and take over these complex functions.

The foundation must therefore still be intact. During the healing process, personal initiative also plays a decisive role. Exercises should be performed regularly.

The greatest progress is achieved in the first 6 months. But even years after the stroke, symptoms can improve. In any case, it is worthwhile to continue the exercises persistently.

A stroke of the cerebellum manifests itself clinically with various symptoms, such as insecure gait, dizziness, coordination and speech disorders. Therefore it can be distinguished quite well from a stroke of the cerebrum. Equilibrium disorders with dizziness and insecure gait are also possible.

In addition, the patient can see double images, which impairs balance even more. Finally, speech is also controlled by the cerebellum. If the patient fails, a speech disorder (dysarthria) may occur, which sounds similar to what happens after increased alcohol consumption.

As with any stroke, the symptoms can disappear within a very short time or persist for weeks or months. Permanent residual symptoms are also possible. The chance of recovery depends on the size of the infarct.

If the infarct is small, the chance that the neurological deficit will recede is relatively high. In larger infarcts, however, a larger area is damaged, so that many functions are impaired. The timing of treatment is also decisive for the prognosis.

The earlier the therapy begins, the more cells can be saved before they die. Rehabilitation should begin immediately after acute treatment. This promotes early recovery and can improve the prognosis.

In addition, existing functions can be protected. During rehabilitation, movement sequences should be practiced above all. In case of speech disorders, special exercises should be performed by speech therapists and speech therapists. Personal initiative is decisive for the prognosis – if the exercises are performed regularly, progress can be achieved more quickly.