How to Identify Stroke Symptoms

When a stroke occurs, immediate medical attention can limit brain damage and result in better outcomes. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to identify the symptoms of a stroke. Call 911 if you or a loved one experiences any of these stroke symptoms, which you can remember with the acronym FAST.

F - Face Drooping

Numbness, sagging, or drooping that affects just one side of the face often indicates a stroke. If you aren't sure, ask the person to smile. With a stroke, his or her smile will appear uneven.

A - Arm Weakness

If the person is unable to raise one of his or her arms, a stroke may be occurring. The arm might drift downward when your loved one tries to lift it. He or she might also experience numbness or weakness in one arm. In addition, any sudden numbness in the body could indicate a stroke.

S - Slurred Speech

Stroke can cause speech that is incomprehensible or difficult to understand. If the person cannot answer questions or repeat a basic sentence, dial 911. He or she may also display confusion with a stroke.

T - Time to Call 911

Any of these symptoms are cause for emergency medical care. Call 911 and describe your family member's symptoms. In addition to the common symptoms illustrated by FAST, stroke may cause a sudden, severe headache; dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking; and difficulty seeing in either or both eyes.

The sooner a person having a stroke gets treatment, the less likely it is that he or she will experience significant disability. The emergency room doctors will administer a drug that breaks up the stroke-causing blood clot. Driving to the hospital wastes valuable time, since every minute matters when it comes to stroke care.

After a stroke, physical, occupational, and speech therapy support recovery and help the person return to his or her daily activities. Midlothian Healthcare Center is your source for stroke care in Midlothian and surrounding areas, with comprehensive services and specialized programs. We emphasize Christian values and treat each and every patient like a member of our family. Call 972-775-5105 or complete our online form to schedule your appointment.

A Guide to Hip Replacement Recovery

It takes time to recover from any major operation, and, although a hip replacement will leave you better off in the long run, you don’t want to rush your body. While the exact length differs for everyone, there are steps you can take to mitigate risks and get back to normal faster. Read on for a quick guide to safe, stable hip replacement recovery.

The First Week

The first days are some of the most important after hip replacement. Regardless of the type of surgery, you’ll probably be using crutches or a walker to get around; light movement will help your body rebound. This is also when you’ll engage with physical therapy to learn the right ways to move. Before going in for surgery and after you get home, be sure to establish your medication routine and walk carefully but frequently. You’ll avoid blood clots and strengthen your legs in the process.

Second and Third Weeks

As time wears on, you should be able to transition to a cane and take showers as normal. You’ll likely have your surgery staples removed around the 10-day mark. However, it’s still important to stick to your exercise regimen, continue taking prescriptions, and move about as much as possible. This is also the time to watch out for infections, as you’re most likely to develop one during this period.

Four Weeks and Beyond

Once you’ve regained the ability to walk without aid, you’ll slowly return to other regular activities. You should be able to drive again somewhere between three and six weeks, and sexual activity may resume. Between six and twelve weeks will be when you can expect to work and engage in a low-risk exercise like swimming. Anything more strenuous should be discussed with your doctor, and you should keep in touch with them throughout the process.

The most vital steps you can follow are to stay active, eat well, and take your recovery slowly. Though it may take some months to fully rebound from your hip replacement, your health is worth the wait. At Midlothian Healthcare Center in Midlothian, TX, we understand that the journey from hospital to home can be daunting, so we provide a full register of rehabilitation services to assist you as your whole body heals. Contact us today to learn more about the quality care we provide.

What to Expect When Undergoing Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is helpful for people experiencing speech problems either due to injury or illness. Understanding what speech therapy is and what it entails can be helpful before beginning therapy. Here are helpful tips on what to expect when undergoing speech therapy.

Disorders and Conditions Treatable Through Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is ideal for individuals with various forms of speech disorders such as fluency, articulation, receptive, resonance, and cognitive-communication disorders. Moreover, speech therapy is also helpful to patients suffering from aphasia and dysarthria. Individuals who have a hard time expressing themselves, mainly due to Down syndrome and hearing loss, can help improve their communication by undergoing speech therapy.

Tests and Assessments Before Speech Therapy

To understand the needs of a patient, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) administer several standardized tests. The main purpose of the tests is to determine whether the client is eligible for speech therapy and come up with a baseline of data. After that, the therapist can understand the nature of the treatment the patient needs. Once the tests have been analyzed, a patient can start speech therapy right away. Some of the activities involved in treatment may include speech therapy apps, games that facilitate language development, and problem-solving.

Education, Participation, and Compensation Strategies

Counseling and education are the key components of speech therapy. Not only do they impact the therapeutic process, but they also help a patient come to terms and understand the nature of their condition. Compensation strategy involves training the patients and people around them with skills to substitute for their difficulty in communication. Notwithstanding, it is vital for any patient undergoing speech therapy treatment to participate in the process. At the same time, the patient may be required to make an effort to interact with new people or speak on the phone to build on confidence.

Speech therapy can improve speech for individuals with speech disorders and boost their self-esteem and confidence. At Midlothian Healthcare Center, we provide our patients with affordable and personalized health care to enable them to recover effectively. Our rehabilitation and nursing team is dedicated to the physical and mental wellbeing of our patients. Contact us for professional and quality healthcare services.