The thought of experiencing a stroke or an aneurysm is frightening, and it’s something none of us want to endure. Annually, in the United States, over 795,000 people experience a stroke. Out of those cases, around 610,000 are initial strokes or strokes new to an individual. On the other hand, the mortality rate of ruptured aneurysms remains remarkably high.

But did you know that you can take steps to reduce the risk of stroke or aneurysm? In this blog post, we’ll explore the top tips for preventing stroke or aneurysm and provide you with actionable steps for protecting your health. With careful monitoring and some lifestyle changes, you can lower your chance of stroke or aneurysm and ensure you stay healthy and well. Read on to learn more!

What is the Difference between a stroke and an aneurysm?

Stroke and aneurysm are two terms used to describe medical conditions of the cardiovascular system. Though both of these conditions have similar symptoms, they are not the same and have different causes, treatments, and risks. Knowing how to spot the difference between them is essential to proper diagnosis and treatment.

Strokes occur when a blocked or ruptured blood vessel interrupts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. This lack of blood flow causes the death of vital cells in the affected area of the brain, leading to symptoms such as paralysis, difficulty speaking, numbness, and confusion. Treatments for stroke may involve the use of rehab therapy, clot busters, medications, and surgical intervention, such as a thrombectomy.

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning of an artery or blood vessel. This weakened area of the blood vessel sometimes ruptures and can lead to severe internal bleeding. Symptoms of an aneurysm may include chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, and a pulsing sensation in the abdomen. Depending on the size and location of the aneurysm, treatments may include endovascular repair, open surgical repair, or a combination of both.

Stroke or Aneurysm

What does a brain aneurysm feel like?

A brain aneurysm is a bulge on a weakened blood vessel wall in the brain. While a brain aneurysm can be asymptomatic, meaning it has no signs or symptoms, it usually presents with different types of physical sensations.

The most common symptom of a brain aneurysm is a sudden, severe headache. The pain can be described as throbbing and sharp. It often starts in the back of the head and neck or in the front of the head. In some cases, the pain can move to the eyes or to either side of the head. Other symptoms associated with a brain aneurysm can include nausea, vomiting, and confusion.

People can also experience a sensation of red lines, flashes of light, or loss of consciousness when a brain aneurysm ruptures. A ruptured brain aneurysm can also lead to seizures and other neurological symptoms. It is important that people who experience these symptoms get medical attention to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What is the main cause of an aneurysm?

The primary cause of an aneurysm is an underlying weakness along the wall of a blood vessel, causing it to balloon out and become much larger than normal. Aneurysms can occur in both veins and arteries, but they are most commonly found in arteries. Aneurysms are most often the result of a combination of underlying conditions that cause vascular walls to be weaker than normal and prone to aneurysmal enlargement.

High blood pressure causes constriction of the blood vessels, leading to a weakening of the walls. This weakening can then lead to an aneurysm as the walls of the vessel become unable to withstand the pressure of the blood and the aneurysm grows larger.

Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, is also a major risk factor for developing an aneurysm. As plaque builds up along the walls of the artery, the walls can become weakened to the point that an aneurysm can form. Plaque can narrow the artery further, causing an increase in pressure and exacerbating the growth of an aneurysm.

Inherited genetic conditions, such as Marfan syndrome, can also contribute to the development of an aneurysm. People with Marfan syndrome tend to have weakened connective tissue, which can make them more susceptible to vascular damage and aneurysm formation.

In addition to the conditions discussed above, some aneurysms can form without an underlying cause. The exact cause is unknown, but doctors believe that it may be related to aging and the normal deterioration of the walls of the arteries.

Can stress cause an aneurysm?

Stress can affect an individual’s physical health in many ways, and its impact on aneurysms is no exception. Stress is known to have a direct effect on blood vessel walls, leading to an increased risk of aneurysm formation. For example, high levels of stress can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn affect the blood vessel walls within the heart and brain.

The exact mechanism by which stress increases aneurysm risk is still being studied. However, it is known that stress can have other effects on blood vessels, such as reducing the elasticity of artery walls. This can make the vessel walls more vulnerable to rupturing, thus leading to aneurysm formation.

Other factors are also known to increase aneurysm risk, such as a family history or pre-existing health conditions. However, even if other risk factors are present, research suggests that reducing stress levels can still help reduce the risk of aneurysm formation.

While the exact mechanism by which stress causes aneurysms is still being studied, it is clear that reducing stress levels is a good idea for both physical and mental health. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the other risk factors for aneurysm formation and to seek medical attention if necessary.

How do I prevent a stroke or aneurysm?

Stroke or Aneurysm

Having a stroke or an aneurysm can be a frightening and life-altering experience, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a stroke or an aneurysm. Here are the best ways to prevent stroke or aneurysm and other lifestyle habits that can help reduce your risk.

  1. Control your blood pressure
    One of the most important steps in preventing a stroke or aneurysm is to control your high blood pressure. Researchers suggest that healthy blood pressure should be less than 120/80 and that systolic pressure should not exceed 140 mm Hg. You should try to avoid any drastic changes in your blood pressure by taking measures such as regular exercise and avoiding stres
  2. Stop smoking
    Smoking increases your risk of stroke or aneurysm. If you already smoke, quitting can be one of the most effective ways to reduce your chances of developing these conditions.
  3. Watch your diet
    Eating a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods can help reduce your risk of stroke or aneurysm. Try to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Health experts also suggest avoiding red meat and using heart-healthy fats, such as olive oil or fish oil, instead.
  4. Exercise regularly
    Exercise is essential for keeping your overall health in check. Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of stroke or aneurysm, so experts recommend that you try to incorporate some form of exercise into your daily routine.
  5. Manage stress
    Stress can have a detrimental effect on your health, so it’s important to learn how to manage it. Relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation can help reduce stress levels and prevent strokes or aneurysms.
  6. Avoid alcohol
    Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of a stroke or aneurysm. If you’re going to drink, try to limit your consumption to one or two alcoholic drinks a day.

Get the expert medical care you need

Have you or a loved one been affected by stroke or other neurological conditions? At NeuLife, our specialists are experts at providing comprehensive neuro rehabilitation care to those affected by such ailments.

We also offer different programs and services, including:

Let us help you understand your condition and get on the path to recovery and a better quality of life – contact NeuLife today!

Stroke or Aneurysm

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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

Falls are a growing problem. Oftentimes a fall causes functional impairments, increased pain, decreased activity, and reduced quality of life. Reports show that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), accounting for more than 49% of TBIs among children, and 81% among adults aged over 64 years. Falls also contribute to about 31% of all spinal cord related injuries and are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits for older adults.

Considering that around 50% of older adults do not resume independent living after sustaining an injury in a fall, it is crucial to seek post-acute rehabilitation after a fall occurs. We never plan for falls to happen and even more so we cannot predict their severity. Therefore, at Neulife Rehabilitation we believe prevention is key, and today we will talk more about just that!

What is a fall?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, a fall is an unexpected event in which the person comes to contact with the ground, floor or lower level. It is also important to clarify that a fall was not the result of someone’s purposeful action like a push, or of a medical event, such as a heart attack.

Risk factors for falls

The first step in successful prevention is to understand what makes you more likely to sustain a fall. Research shows that the cumulative effect of multiple interacting factors increases the risk of a fall. Therefore, our post-acute rehab specialists have compiled a list of fall risk factors for you to look out for.

 

If any of the above are relevant to you and you have not yet consulted a doctor about them, do so immediately!

Strategies to prevent falls

 

 

A physical therapist (PT) can conduct assessments to determine your level of fall risk and identify limitations. PTs can develop a personalized program that is comprehensive to improve strength, balance, endurance, speed, reactions/coordination, and confidence with movement while performing daily activities. If you would like to learn more about how a PT can help you improve your quality of life, do not hesitate to contact us.

Learn more about Post Acute Rehabilitation at NeuLife Rehab

NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the LARGEST residential post-acute rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast with specialized rehabilitation programs for a wide range of catastrophic injuries. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Brain Injury Specialty Programs and Residential Rehabilitation.

Our skilled clinical experts work with each patient individually to create a customized rehabilitation program best suited to the patient’s needs. Every day we work with the goal of providing our patients with the highest quality of care. We believe that healing, wellness, and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where staff encourage, assist, and support all of their patients. And that is what we do!

To learn more about our facility, our staff and our work contact us, or schedule a tour! You can call us at 800-626-3876, or send us an email on info@neuliferehab.com. Find us at 2725 Robie Avenue, Mount Dora, Florida 32757.

 

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

We live in a world where accidents are inevitable. Some smaller accidents happen every day - a paper cut, walking into a cabinet, dropping something, and their consequences are very petite. However, some people experience severe accidents in their lives that can flip their everyday upside down and cause tremendous health issues. For instance, vehicle accidents and sports injuries can lead to acute injuries, injuries that occur suddenly as a result of intense trauma, impact or torsion. A band aid for these kinds of injuries is not enough. People affected by those must be immediately transported to an acute care facility, where their condition will be managed to a point where it is relatively stable.

What happens next? This is where our fantastic post acute rehab programs come in! Our rehab center is perfectly designed to help people recover from an acute injury. Now, let us explain to you in more detail what it is that our amazing multi-speciality staff do.

What is post acute rehabilitation?

Acute injuries are those that are caused suddenly as a result of an intense trauma, impact, or torsion. The most common causes of acute injuries are sports and motor vehicle accidents. Acute injuries range all the way from broken bones and sprains, to brain injuries, spine injuries, strokes and neurological disorders.

Therefore, post acute rehab refers to the medical treatment program aimed at returning acute injury patients back to, or as close to as possible, to their pre-injury state. The term “post acute” implies that the patient was discharged from an acute care hospital, or facility. This is the situation more than 10 million Americans find themselves in each year.

The services offered by our post acute rehab program are customised to the needs of the individual patients as each injury and each patient differ. Some patients whom enter our rehabilitation center receive acute care as they come here instead of a hospital.

post acute rehab

What services do we offer?

Our NeuLife Rehabilitation clinic specializes in post acute rehabilitation programs for catastrophic injuries, which means we do not often deal solely with common everyday acute injuries like sprains, or muscle tears. Our residential facility is perfect for patients dealing with severe neurological trauma. We offer our services in two types of programs - your doctor will decide which program you belong to depending on your circumstances:

Learn more about Post Acute Rehabilitation at NeuLife Rehab

NeuLife Rehabilitation is one of the LARGEST residential post-acute rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast with specialized rehabilitation programs for a wide range of catastrophic injuries. We are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in Brain Injury Specialty Programs and Residential Rehabilitation. Our skilled clinical experts work with each patient individually to create a customized rehabilitation program best suited to the patient’s needs. Everyday we work with the goal of providing our patients with the highest quality of care. We believe that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where staff encourage, assist, and support all of their patients. And that is what we do!

To learn more about our facility, our staff and our work contact us, or schedule a tour! You can call us at 800-626-3876, or send us an email on info@neuliferehab.com. Find us at: 2725 Robie Avenue, Mount Dora, Florida 32757.

 

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

Post-acute rehabilitation is the time during which the patient who suffered a traumatic injury is participating in various kinds of rehab programs that aim at bringing him or her as close to their pre-injury state as possible. ‘Post Acute’ indicates that the patient was previously at an acute care facility, such as a hospital or ambulatory care facility. Why is post acute rehab so important? It is an essential part of the healing process, a crucial component that enables the patients to get back to their life before the injury. At NeuLife, we provide a wide range of residential rehab programs, depending on the patient’s needs. Our goal is to restore the patient’s mobility and independence the greatest deal possible. Our facility is equipped to help patients with various types of injuries, whether they are brain and spine injuries, strokes and other neurological disorders. In this article, we will describe 3 of the many rehabilitation programs available at our Florida rehabilitation facility.

1. Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Over 2.4 million people, both children and adults, sustain a traumatic brain injury every year, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. Moreover, the repercussions of a brain injury vary depending on the case, but they typically include difficulty with memory, language, thinking and judgment (cognitive impairment). That’s why post acute rehab is so important. Our brain injury rehab programs help patients regain their basic abilities, and they can significantly improve the patient’s state. We strongly believe in an individualized approach to care because we know each patient is unique. Our care plans are customized to fit the patient’s specific needs. The brain injury rehabilitation program at NeuLife offers a full continuum of services for patients who have experienced an Acquired brain injury (ABI) - traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by blows, jolts or injuries to the head (concussion) and Non-traumatic caused by hypoxia, illness, infection, stroke. The comprehensive program at our brain injury clinic encompasses the unique needs of each patient and family. The team focuses on maximizing abilities, providing education, increasing mobility and preventing complications.

2. Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Facing the consequences of a spinal cord injury is very challenging. Depending on its severity, it can significantly change the patient’s life. Limited mobility and ability are just some of the things the patient has to face. At our Florida rehabilitation facility, we understand how difficult it can be to deal, both physically and psychologically, with the repercussions of a spinal cord injury; that’s why we focus all of our efforts on addressing all the needs of every patient and family and maximizing the patient’s abilities, preventing complications, providing education, and increasing mobility in all environments. Our clinical residential rehabilitation team has over 200 years of combined experience! Our goal is to prepare patients for a successful transition home, focusing on enabling them to be able to take care of themselves as much as they can. Maximizing independence by improving strength, functioning, and mobility is our number one priority. This multi-faceted approach maximizes recovery and improves the overall quality of life.

3. Amputee rehabilitation

Losing a limb as a result of an accident/trauma is not a rare occurrence in the United States. According to recent study, approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year. Again, facing a new reality is this case a big challenge, both physically and psychologically. To make the transition easier, we provide comprehensive amputee rehabilitation services to help patients achieve optimal independence and quality of life. Depending on the case and the patient’s specific needs, our amputee rehab programs may include strength building skills, therapies for flexibility, mobility & endurance, proper wound care & limb management, pain management, ongoing support, education & training, and counseling services. Data indicates that all amputee patients at NeuLife have been discharged home and achieved an average of 83% functional improvement from admission to discharge. We work with patients from different backgrounds, including many veterans who lost a limb due to combat injuries. We proudly accept referrals from the Veterans Administration (VA). In addition to VA Choice, we also accept TRICARE.

Residential Rehab in Florida - About NeuLife Rehab

After catastrophic injuries, patients have to face the physical and emotional impact on their lives. We strive to make the transition as painless and as comfortable as possible, for both the patients and their families. We understand the importance of privacy and support in this challenging time, and we make it our number one priority to respect our patients’ needs. Our customized programs are highly effective and have helped hundreds of patients get back to their normal life with newly re-gained independence. Our residential rehab programs include clinical evaluations, medical care and therapeutic activities that are customized to meet the goals, needs and abilities of each patient. By leveraging a variety of rehabilitation services, we are able to create an integrated approach focused on helping each patient recover skills associated with activities of daily living (ADLs) using compensatory strategies and mobility aids to achieve a seamless transition into the community. Every component of the treatment plan is customized to the individual patient for guaranteed results.

If you have any questions at all, or would like to schedule a tour around our modern, patient-friendly facility, please do contact us - we are looking forward to seeing you!

Accreditations

Dedicated to providing the highest caliber of care to individuals with brain injuries, NeuLife Rehabilitation is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
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Let Us Help...

We know that choosing the next step in your recovery from a catastrophic illness or injury is complex. Together, we can help you take the next step.

Contact us with any questions today.

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