Sri Naraina Children and Women Clinic

Stroke is a medical condition in which the flow of blood towards the brain is poor and causes the death of certain cells. There are two common types of stroke: 

1. Ischemic- due to lack of blood flow
2. Hemorrhagic- due to bleeding

Signs and symptoms of stroke 

• Problems with movement
• Inability to feel  on one side of the body
• Problems understanding or in speech
• Vertigo
• Loss of vision
• Difficulty in carrying out everyday activities

Role of Physiotherapy for Patients with Stroke

• The main focus of physiotherapy is to help you use your arms and legs to regain as much strength and movement as possible.
• If you have one-sided paralysis, correct positioning is important to prevent spasm or injury.
• It helps you to sit up as this will help you avoid blood clots in your legs, improve your breathing and help you recover quickly.
• If you are unable to move, you may be given chest physiotherapy to keep your lungs free of infection.

What does a Physiotherapist do?

• A physiotherapist advises you on how you should be positioned when lying or sitting, and how often you need to be moved.
• Motivates you to be actively involved in your physiotherapy sessions to help you relearn normal patterns of movement
• Decides when you should begin to start walking and what equipment is needed to move or support you
• Provides therapy to strengthen your limbs and teach you how to move again as independently as possible
• Takes care of the fact that no complications should arise and you have a smooth recovery.

Treatment Techniques:

• Strength Training: It is evident that strength training can improve upper-limb strength and function without increasing tone or pain in individuals with stroke.
• Gaming: Goal orientated computer gaming has proven to significantly reduce upper limb impairment in stroke survivors.
• Virtual Reality: Virtual reality training has been shown to be effective in restoring upper limb motor impairments and motor-related functional abilities.
• Mirror Therapy: Mirror therapy has been shown to have a beneficial effect on motor control and function compared to conventional therapy.
• Robot-Assisted Therapy: It has been shown to have a beneficial effect on motor recovery and function.

In the upper extremity with severe impairment and/or poor prognosis for recovery, Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment (CMSA) of Arm and Hand < Stage 4) treatment should focus on maintaining a comfortable, pain-free, mobile arm and hand. Engage in repetitive and intense use of novel tasks that challenge the stroke survivor to acquire necessary motor skills to use the involved upper limb during functional tasks and activities. Engage in motor-learning training including the use of imagery.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Cholesterol is generally regarded as something bad for the health. As a part of diet, everyone tries to avoid anything that has cholesterol in it. What needs to be understood is that not all cholesterol is bad. There is also good cholesterol, which is actually very essential for body functions. This is required for the production of essential hormones. Inadequate amounts of good cholesterol can lead to problems ranging from simple hormonal imbalances to severe issues like infertility.

The following are some food items, which contain sufficient amounts of good cholesterol and should find a place in your plate. They are essential for various body functions including hormone formation.

1. Avocado oil: Most oil is considered bad, but avocado oil contains about 70% of good cholesterol and should be used for its heart-healthy benefits. Being a great antioxidant, it protects the heart by reducing inflammation and by improving blood pressure. Eating whole avocado is also beneficial for the heart and the body as a whole.

2. Buckwheat: This whole grain is rich in many vitamins, quite a few minerals, and is a good provider of dietary fiber. It is also gluten-free and is rich in antioxidants, making it extremely cardio-friendly.

3. Soy: Too much saturated fat in the diet cannot be digested and the liver converts these and stores it, which adds to obesity. Soy which is a good replacement for animal fat and even dairy products can help improve cholesterol levels and prevent fat accumulation.

4. Salmon: This is one of the most heart-friendly food items, which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and good cholesterol. It lowers triglyceride levels and provides a good amount of protein for the body.

5. Spinach: The cholesterol which settles against the blood vessels is washed off by consuming spinach – in regular quantities at regular intervals. It is also the richest source of lutein, which is known as guardian against aging diseases including hypertension.

6. Go the nutty way: While most would consider nuts as rich in oils, truth is they are loaded with good cholesterol. Therefore, whether it is almonds or pecans, ground nuts or walnuts, nuts are great for the heart. They are also rich in minerals including calcium, copper, magnesium, and potassium and contain various vitamins. So about a teaspoon of chopped nuts should be on your plate on any given day.

7. Dark chocolate: Again, like nuts, most of us tend to avoid chocolate, but these restrictions are only for the white ones with sugar. The dark one is extremely healthy for the heart with loaded antioxidants, which prevents clogging of arteries. It is also rich in flavonoids, which are useful in controlling blood pressure and other heart diseases.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!