WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What are self-care measures after a stroke? Self-care measures are things you can do to help yourself recover from a stroke. Your healthcare provider will help you develop a plan to care for yourself at home and at work. How will I learn self-care measures? Rehabilitation (rehab) therapy will help you develop self-care measures. Rehab therapy is an important part of your recovery. You may need any of the following: - Occupational therapy teaches you new ways to do daily activities. You may learn new skills to help you bathe, dress, eat, and drive.
- Physical therapy teaches you ways to strengthen your arms, legs, and hands. You learn exercises to improve your balance and movement to decrease your risk of falling.
- Speech therapy teaches you skills needed to talk or swallow. You may be given thickened liquids to help keep you from breathing liquid into your lungs.
- Vocational therapy teaches you skills that will help you return to work.
What can I do to care for myself? - Take your medicines as directed. Medicines will help you manage pain, anxiety, depression, and problems with movement. Medicine may also help improve your memory and thinking.
- Practice the skills you learn in therapy. Your healthcare provider will tell you what skills to practice at home. Practice will help you recover.
- Stretch and do range of motion exercises to prevent a contracture. A contracture is a shortening of muscles, tendons, or ligaments after a stroke. Contractures limit movement of a joint, such as your wrist, elbow, shoulder, or ankle. Contractures can start to develop as soon as 1 week after your stroke. Your healthcare provider may show you or your caregiver how to stretch and do ROM exercises. You may need to have someone help you stretch or do ROM exercises. Ask which ROM exercises and stretches are best and how often you should do them.
- Do not smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause blood vessel damage and high blood pressure. This can increase your risk for another stroke. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
- Limit or do not drink alcohol. Alcohol use can increase your risk for another stroke. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to drink alcohol and how much is safe for you to drink.
- Eat healthy foods. This can decrease your risk for another stroke. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
- Exercise as directed. Exercise can help you recover and prevent another stroke. Your healthcare provider can help you find an exercise program that is safe for you. Do not start an exercise program before you talk to your healthcare provider.
- Practice safety to prevent falls. The following is a list of safe practices:
- Make your home safe. Remove clutter from walkways and paths to the bathroom and kitchen. Install devices in your home to prevent falls such as hand rails or a raised toilet seat. Ask your healthcare provider about other safety devices.
- Use assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, to help you walk.
- Wear non slip shoes or socks at all times.
- Know your limitations. Ask for help when you need it and be patient. Stroke recovery can take time.
Call 911 for any of the following: - You have any of the following signs of a heart attack:
- Squeezing, pressure, or pain in your chest that lasts longer than 5 minutes or returns
- Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or arm
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lightheadedness or a sudden cold sweat, especially with chest pain or trouble breathing
- You have any of the following signs of a stroke:
- Numbness or drooping on one side of your face
- Weakness in an arm or leg
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Dizziness, a severe headache, or vision loss
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have a seizure.
When should I seek immediate care? - You fall and hit your head or get injured.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - You have a fever.
- You have a sore on your skin that does not go away.
- You have new symptoms, or your symptoms are getting worse.
- You have pain that does not go away, even after you take pain medicine.
- You feel depressed, anxious, or unable to cope with your condition.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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