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6 Exercises That Help Recover After a Stroke

6 Exercises That Help Recover After a Stroke

A stroke is a health emergency and requires immediate attention. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or a blockage affects the blood supply to the organ. In both cases, the brain is deprived of oxygen. Consequently, the brain cells get damaged, leading to a loss of physical and cognitive abilities. While the condition is curable with timely treatment, you may also need to perform stroke recovery exercises to function normally.

Why are stroke recovery exercises important?
A stroke can cause chemical changes in the brain, damaging its cells. As a result, the organ’s performance is affected. You may not be able to move or function properly. But the human brain has self-healing capabilities. It can repair and rewire itself. After a stroke, the healthy brain cells take over, performing the tasks previously undertaken by the damaged ones. But to ensure this happens, particular actions must be performed repetitively so that the brain can relearn and execute them through different neural pathways. This is where recovery exercises come in. They help relearn specific tasks and movements, which, in turn, restores normalcy over time.

The specific exercises can also provide other benefits, including improved strength, endurance, and balance. Studies have shown that they even reduce the risk of stroke recurrence. Further, they positively influence mental health by reducing depression, improving mood, and relieving stress.

Exercises for stroke recovery
Many exercises help recover after a stroke, but it is advisable to consult a doctor to choose a suitable one as per your ability. Different movements engage different parts and muscles of the body. Here are a few options:

Wrist curls
Wrist curls are isolated movements that help improve range of motion and gripping skills. The best part is its simplicity. All that is required is a chair and any light object. Start by sitting straight on the chair, your hands on the armrests and palms facing upward. Ensure your wrists are over the edge of the rests. Then hold the object firmly in and start bending the wrists toward and away from the body. Ensure this movement is slow and controlled. Repeat a couple of times.

Shoulder opener
Another excellent stroke recovery exercise is the shoulder opener. It improves range of motion and shoulder strength. To do it, you only need an easy-to-hold light object. Start with your hands in front, holding the object with inward-facing fingers. Ensure the elbows are folded at 90 degrees. Then, in a slow and controlled movement, move your fists sideways while keeping the portion of the arms above the elbows in the same position. Now bring your fists back to the starting position. Repeat this movement a few times. It can be done sitting or standing.

Hip abduction
Hip abductions are also great for improving mobility. They also help strengthen the legs, back, and core, enhancing coordination and balance. All that is required is a strong, stable chair. Start by sitting up straight at the edge of the chair. Then tighten your abs and straighten the knee of either leg so that the toes point upward, the heel touching the floor. Now, slowly move the foot outside. After this, slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with the other leg. Beginners may lie down to decrease the movement intensity. Alternatively, it can be done standing for increased difficulty.

Sit-to-stand
This is perfect for improving core strength, leg muscle strength, balance, and weight-shifting capability. The only equipment required is a stable and strong chair. To begin, sit upright in the chair, knees bent at 90 degrees. Ensure the feet are firmly landed on the ground. Now rise, but make sure your knees do not cross the toe tips. Slowly return to the starting position. Beginners can grip the armrests for support while standing. To make the workout more challenging, cross your arms across the chest. Even healthy individuals may perform this to strengthen the lower body.

Tabletop circle
Another easy yet helpful stroke recovery exercise is the tabletop circle. The equipment includes a table, chair, and any light object. Start by sitting at the table and wrapping your hands around the object placed on it. Simply move the object around the table surface in a circular motion. It can be done both clockwise and anticlockwise to stimulate both sides of the brain. Repeat a few times. It is helpful to try and maintain an erect posture as much as possible while sitting at the table.

Standing knee raises
Knee raises have many benefits. It not only strengthens the core, hips, and back but also improves posture. This exercise can be done anywhere as all that is required is a firm surface to hold on to. Stand straight and hold on to the surface. Then shift your weight onto one leg and lift the other knee. Bring the knee to a 90-degree angle and hold for a few seconds. Bring your leg back down and repeat the entire movement with the other leg. Besides improving posture, this exercise may help with coordination.

Note that these exercises can be tailored to suit different requirements. Some individuals may be able to move after a stroke, while others may face paralysis, so the same movement may not be suitable for both groups. However, remember to use the right equipment for the best results. It is best to consult a doctor or expert to help choose the right exercises and perform them correctly when just starting out.

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Known Signs of Hemophilia and Anemia

Bleeding disorders refer to a group of conditions like hemophilia or anemia that interfere with normal blood functions in the body. Hemophilia affects the ability of the blood cells to clot naturally, while anemia lowers hemoglobin count in the red blood cells. These conditions exhibit a unique set of symptoms that can be identified. Early diagnosis helps doctors form a viable healthcare plan. So, it pays to know and identify the following symptoms. Hemophilia and Anemia: Understanding the difference Both conditions are common bleeding disorders. However, anemia & hemophilia signs are distinctly different from each other when it comes to the disease progression. The latter is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cell’s ability to clot and close wounds. Certain clotting factors in the blood bind with the red blood cells to prevent uncontrolled bleeding. Anemia is a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells in the first place. Also, a low hemoglobin count affects the red blood cell’s ability to carry oxygen to vital organs and extremities via the circulatory system. Genetic mutation triggers most known types of hemophilia, while certain nutritional deficiencies in the body trigger common forms of anemia. Symptoms of hemophilia The absence of essential clotting factors in the blood can trigger a variety of noticeable and unusual symptoms. Uncontrolled bleeding Bleeding is one of the primary symptoms of hemophilia. It can happen under the skin or in the joints. As the red blood cells are unable to bind and clot, this pool of blood can trigger swelling, pain, and tightness in the joints. This symptom is most commonly noticeable in the knees, elbows, and ankles. Blood collecting under the skin can lead to buildups under the muscle and soft tissue to cause more painful bruising. This symptom is called hematoma in medical terminology. Frequent nosebleeds When the bleeding is triggered externally, it can result in frequent nosebleeds that can be difficult to stop. Note that external environmental factors and physical injuries generally cause nosebleeds. So, any unexplained bleeding could indicate a developing condition. Bleeding caused due to cuts, bruises, and vaccinations Lack of essential clotting factor VIII can trigger bleeding from the lightest of impacts, cuts, bruises, or even after losing a tooth. Some people experience sudden bleeding after taking a vaccination. This could be the body’s reaction to producing antibodies, but the strain could be too much to bear, resulting in bleeding from the extremities. Blood in urine or stool Excess blood in the urine or stool is a clear sign of disease progression. The urine and stools appear dark red or even blackish due to the presence of red blood cells mixed with the excreta. Immediate medical assistance is advisable for visual symptoms. Bleeding in infants Complicated pregnancies can be physically taxing for both the mother and the child leading to possible symptoms of hemophilia at birth. But in some rare cases, infants may experience internal bleeding in the head. Symptoms of anemia The most common types of anemia, including iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia, develop due to the lack of nutrients in the body. Therefore, anemia exhibits more physically taxing symptoms as the condition worsens. Tiredness Increased fatigue and weakness for no apparent reason is one of the main indicators of nutritional deficiencies. An unexplained decrease in overall stamina with no physical exertion or any activity during the day could mean low iron in the blood. Without iron, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells. And low hemoglobin means not enough oxygen is being circulated around vital organs in the body, thus resulting in fatigue induced by low energy levels. Respiratory symptoms Experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, and even noticing an irregular heartbeat could indicate a possible anemic condition. An iron deficiency lowers hemoglobin count, and this means not enough oxygen is being circulated by the blood. Low hemoglobin affects the breathing rate as the body struggles to extract more oxygen resulting in shortness of breath. The heart must also put in extra efforts to pump the low hemoglobin blood forcefully, thus resulting in irregular heartbeats. Doctors refer to this condition as heart palpitations. These symptoms can also induce chest pains due to the sheer stress being put on the organ. Pale skin and damaged hair Skin and hair symptoms are visible indicators of a developing anemia condition. An iron deficiency results in low red blood cell production and indirectly affects the shade of the skin. Pale skin is noticeably visible around the face, gums, lower lips, lower eyelids, and even on the nails. This symptom is more visually obvious among people who flaunt a lighter skin tone. Also, hair thinning, hair fall, and a damaged scalp is a clear sign of iron deficiency. Treatment options Note that anemia & hemophilia signs never overlap. Once the primary indicators are confirmed, doctors quickly suggest blood tests to identify the leading causes or triggers. Knowing the differences can help with prompt diagnosis even though both the conditions are bleeding disorders. It is even possible to recover from common forms of anemia within 2 to 3 months. Hemophilia is a more serious bleeding disorder that is treated by introducing the missing clotting factors. Doctors also suggest prescriptions that help stimulate the body to release more clotting factors. However, a transfusion offers more promising results for moderate to severe progression. Effective preventive measures and home remedies can help lower the risk of bleeding. These conditions cannot be completely cured. But it is possible to improve the quality of life by incorporating healthy lifestyle habits. Prescriptions and treatments only help slow down the disease progression.

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5 Health Conditions That May Cause Bone Loss

Old age and osteoporosis are two of the biggest reasons for loss of bone density. More than 53 million people in the country suffer from osteoporosis or are at-risk. In its most severe form, it can cause a fracture from something as simple as a hard sneeze or cough. But loss of bone-density can also be caused by other health conditions, some of which may be surprising as these conditions are not bone-related diseases. OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a health condition where the body doesn’t renew the bone material fast enough, resulting in the bones becoming fragile. When it affects the bones, the holes in the honeycomb structure keep getting larger, reducing the density and making them weak and fragile.Gender, age, family history, and even lifestyle choices are some risk factors for this condition. Women tend to get osteoporosis more often than men, and it becomes more likely with age. People with a family history of the illness are also at higher risk.The condition can be diagnosed with a bone density test that measures the amount of minerals in the bones. Low bone density is an indication of osteoporosis.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)RA is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease that can lead to bone loss. The exact cause of this type of arthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.RA affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can also damage other tissues in the body, including the bones. Bone loss occurs when the inflammatory process damages the bone-forming cells, leading to thinning of the bones and an increased risk of fractures.Lifestyle changes like exercising daily and reducing stress can also help manage the condition. However, one must see a doctor for properly treating RA. Celiac diseaseCeliac disease affects the digestive system and makes one intolerant to gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When people with celiac disease eat foods that contain gluten, their immune system reacts and damages the lining of the small intestine. This can lead to problems in absorbing nutrients from food, including calcium and vitamin D. Over time, this can lead to bone loss.While celiac disease cannot be cured, it can be managed by going gluten-free. Those with this condition should be careful when choosing foods, as even a trace amount of gluten may cause damage to the intestine.Kidney diseaseKidney disease, though not directly affecting the bones, may lead to bone loss. The disease causes the kidneys to not function properly, forcing them to work harder to remove phosphorus from the body. The parathyroid hormone (PTH) is released by the parathyroid glands (in the neck) to keep calcium levels balanced in the bloodstream. When the kidneys cannot balance the phosphorus and calcium in the body, this hormone moves calcium from the bones to the bloodstream. This loss of calcium can cause bone loss. Kidney disease is also a risk factor for osteoporosis, which causes bone loss.DiabetesDiabetes leads to high blood sugar levels, which prevent bone-forming cells—osteoblasts—from building bones. This can lead to a decrease in bone density and an increased risk of fractures. People with diabetes are at a risk of developing osteoporosis where the bones become weak and brittle, making them more prone to fractures. How to prevent bone lossApart from these health conditions, thyroid problems and vitamin D deficiency can also cause bone loss. A physician will be able to assess risk factors and determine any precautions to be taken or lifestyle changes to be made to prevent it. One must exercise regularly and get enough calcium and vitamin D to prevent bone loss as these are essential for strong bones. These nutrients can be absorbed from foods like milk, yogurt, and leafy green vegetables. While there are many health conditions that can cause bone loss and lead to serious problems like osteoporosis, there are ways to combat the effects and alleviate pain. With early diagnosis and treatment, one can help prevent bone loss and keep bones healthy and strong.

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