Harripersad

Nalini Angelina Harripersad

ENC 1102
April 23rd 2015

1-800-411 Pain Is not always the solution

When an individual is diagnosed with a stroke, their life changes immediately. There are
so many down sides to a stroke that a patient not only becomes mentally and physically
deprived, but they also need their families and doctors to make the best decision in concerns to
their improvement. There is no place like home, and sometimes, this thought may actually be
the problem.
Patient Mrs. Molly Davis recently had a stroke. Half of her body is paralyzed and she is
very nervous, uneasy and as a result has a very negative attitude towards everything. She wants
to get better and expects it to be now as she is miserable since her independence is taken away.
She just wants to get better but she is thorn between trusting the doctors and her relatives. While
the doctors explain why Physical Therapy is the best option for her recovery, her family just
insists that they want her home. Now, there are three perspectives in play, Mrs. Molly Davis, the
Doctors and the family for Mrs. Molly Davis. The Medical team must now show the family of
Mrs. Davis why Physical Therapy is the best option. They will do so by providing literature and
statistics from Medical institutions and professionals, both locally and internationally.

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Indeed, both Mrs. Davis family and medical team want the best for her and she
undoubtedly yearns to get better. It is not unusual for families to want their loved ones home
after having a serious medical downfall but little do they realize this may also cause more
damage than good. Psychology shows that Mrs. Davis will become very depressed if she does
not go into rehabilitation as her paralysis will grow onto her more and more and eventually, no
rehabilitation will be able to assist her. She must act soon and expect results to take some time to
appear, but trust that they will.

In recent times, there have been more and more situations of where individuals were
affected by some sort of medical diagnosis. Heart attacks, Diabetes, Cancer and Strokes have
been on the rise but it is the Stroke that takes the position of the leading health discrepancy in the
United States and affects millions worldwide. Many know that a stroke is a health condition in
which an individual/s get paralyzed and or loses some part of their mental stamina. However,
there is much more to a stroke than that. A stroke occurs when the flow of oxygen to a portion of
the brain is blocked and brain cells depend on this oxygen to live. Without it, the brain starts to
bleed. A stroke can cause tremendous brain damage, disability and even death. According to the
National Stroke Association, Strokes are preventable up to fifty percent (50%) of the time. By
simply controlling any signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, coronary artery
disease, in addition to curbing the intake of alcohol and smoke, you can save yourself or a loved
one. In addition, when a stroke is coming on, there are many symptoms. An individual feels a
weakness on one side of their body (arms, legs and face), may have a slight loss of vision and
speech a terrible head and or a loss of balance. When this occurs, an ambulance should be
contacted right away.

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There are many recommendations for individuals who survived a stroke. Most of the
times, the patient either takes respective medication or is treated in rehabilitation. More than half
of stroke survivors undergo Physical Therapy as one of their roots to recovery. So what is
Physical therapy and what does it do for a stroke patient? Physical Therapy is used after many
health issues occur. The main goal of this treatment is to allow a person to move around and
perform his/her every day tasks. It assists you to move much better and also relieves pain. When
a patient is stable after having a stroke, they should immediately go into rehabilitation. This will
allow them to get back on their feet as fast as possible. Sometimes, this occurs within 24-48
hours of having a stroke. According to Mary Ann Owsley, PT, supervisor of the physical therapy
stroke team for inpatient rehab at the Frazier Rehab Institute, a service of Jewish Hospital and St.
Mary's HealthCare in Louisville, Ky., "Physical therapists evaluate and treat the deficits that
stroke patients are left with, the musculoskeletal deficits. We will start in acute care, with early
mobilization of the patient and exercises,"

As mentioned previously, strokes are the leading health issue in the United States of
America. It is the leading cause of death and over Seven Hundred and ninety-five hundred
thousand (795,000) people are affected by it yearly. About Forty percent of stroke deaths occur
in males,
and sixty percent in females. African Americans' risk of having a first stroke is nearly twice that
of whites. The country's highest death rates due to stroke are in the southeastern United States.
Two thirds of these people undergo rehabilitation Physical Therapy. In the United States, the
purpose of Physical Therapy is to help survivors become as independent as they possibly can for

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an improved quality of life, one like an individual had prior to the stroke. Physical Therapy does
not cure the effects of a stroke and will not positively affect the brain damage sector of a stroke.
Physical Therapy can only assist people who want a long-term outcome. According to the largest
stroke rehabilitation study in America, individuals see improvements such as the ability to walk
by the end of one year. Fifty two percent of patients show improvements after six months.

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, the statistics for stroke
patients above the age of Thirty Five are shown as follows.

Centers of Disease Control

In each and every state of the United States of America, Rehabilitation centers and by
extension Physical Therapy offices are found. This makes it easier, and more affordable for a

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patient to the necessary treatment that is required. It is very highly recommended in America that
Stroke patients undergo Physical Therapy to build their independence.

Like the United States, the world as a whole also suffers from this disease. People from
every country are diagnosed with strokes, which make it a worldwide health issue. On average,
Fifteen Million people worldwide suffer from a stroke. The death rate from strokes stand at six
million while another five million are then pronounced permanently disabled. The stroke is the
second leading cause for disability worldwide. Strokes are more common in elders as when that
time reaches, more and more parts of their both starts to diminish and health issues arise. While it
is not common for many individuals younger than 60 years old to be diagnosed with a stroke it is
become a lot more common in todays society.

Center of disease Control

As such, Physical Therapy is also recommended worldwide for Stroke patients.

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What is even scarier is how high the stroke death rate is in Orange County Orlando. This
county is the home to thousands of citizens including the University of Central Florida Student
Population. The average college student who decides to accumulate their Masters Degree and
even PhD stays in college to approximately Twenty-Five years of age.

Even though, Orange county citizens are below the average stroke rate in Florida, we are
beginning to see that the possibility is on the rise. In recent years, this county has gone over the
average. According to the Orlando Health magazine, over Eight-Seven percent (87%) of these
individuals seek rehabilitation after their Stroke. It is highly recommended since at especially at
this age it is vital to have basic movements intact. Isnt it scary to see how many individuals
around our age who have Stroke Problems? But, isnt it uplifting to see that methods such as

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Physical Therapy, which is highly recommended, can change someones life for a more positive
outcome?

Medical professionals both in the United States and Abroad agree that Physical Therapy
is one of the best options to be considered after a stroke. Rehabilitation centers are available in
each country worldwide and in cases of third world countries medical relief/aid workers are
present to assist in the rehabilitation of Stroke patients. In some countries (not limited to) such as
Canada, Trinidad & Tobago and China, Healthcare is free.

Dont you want to be back on your feet? Dont you want your loved one to simply use the
bathroom again? Then Physical Therapy is necessary. Strokes are very scary and can even be
deadly. If it cannot be prevented, doctors suggest that you have a plan. Whether you live in the
United States or in Japan, there are Physical Therapy Rehabilitation institutions available
everywhere. According to the National Institution of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, more
than Eighty- Six (86.7 %) of doctors worldwide recommends Physical Therapy after a Stroke.
When you view this option from a Medical standpoint, it really does make sense to give Physical
Therapy a shot. Especially if an individual is below the age of sixty the options are limitless and
any type of recovery is possible. Just the simple need to use the bathroom becomes a lot easier
after undergoing Physical Therapy. Sadly, millions of people lose their lives to Strokes every
year. However, for that other percentage that does not, the chances that Physical Therapy will be
necessary is extremely high. This method takes some time but is not only recommended by
doctors in the United States but is also recommended by medical professionals worldwide.
Physical Therapy offices can be found in any part of the world. Indeed, it is a breath of fresh air

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that Physical Therapy exists and will more than likely improve a stroke patients ability to
perform day-to-day actions.

Sources Cited

1. Diana Rodriguez | Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD: The

everyday Health: Physical Therapy After a Stroke.
2. Adaptability of human gait: Implications for the control of
locomotion. Patla, Aftab E. (Ed); pp. 387-411; Oxford, England: NorthHolland; 1991. xiii, 456 pp.
3. Physical Therapy March 2005vol. 85 no. 3 238-248: Physical Therapy
Interventions for patients with stroke inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
4. Authored by Deutsch, PT, PhD, and APTA's Section on
Neurology. Reviewed by theMoveForwardPT.com editorial board May 10,
2011
"10 Tips for Your Best Stroke Recovery." Health Answers. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2015.

5.

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