What Treatment Options Are Available for Stroke?

By Jim Smeaton

A stroke is an event, either a blood clot or a burst blood vessel, that cuts off the blood supply to the brain. As such, it can cause massive brain damage if not treated right away. In fact, it is imperative that seniors who are experiencing a stroke receive medical attention as soon as possible in order to minimize the damage that the event does to the brain. The prognosis associated with stroke is truly a case by case issue, but the home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that the right treatment can improve an elderly individual's prognosis.

The treatment plan that your senior's doctor chooses will depend upon the kind of stroke that has taken place. If your loved one has an ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blood clot, they will most likely be given a thrombolytic. This kind of drug is called a "clot-buster" and is designed to break up blood clots; however, there is a risk of hemorrhage associated with use of this pharmaceutical. As a result, it is essential that physicians confirm the presence of a blood clot through a CT scan before administering this drug.

A hemorrhagic stroke is the other kind of event that may take place. As its name implies, this type of stroke stems from a hemorrhage, or a bleed, that is caused when a blood vessel bursts. Instead of following the vessel up into the brain, the blood escapes into the body where the rupture has occurred. Surgery is often required to repair the aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation that has caused the event to take place. This may be done in one of two ways: through a craniotomy or through a catheter. In addition to surgery, seniors may also need to take medications to lower their blood pressure and improve the ability of their blood to coagulate, or clot.

The senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC know that strokes are incredibly scary events. From the moment that your elderly loved one begins showing symptoms of a stroke, the first priority is to secure medical attention. You will have to wait for the type of stroke to be verified and the treatment plan finalized, which can be difficult, as you will certainly be concerned for the safety of your loved one; however, by understanding what to expect in terms of treatment options, you can better cope with the situation and help your senior get through it.

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If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.