May is...

American Stroke Month

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries and within the brain. Every year, about 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke; 610,000 are first attacks. Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries and within the brain. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over 65; however, nearly one-quarter of strokes occur in people under 65.A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die.

There are 2 different types of stroke:Ischemic Stroke accounts for about 87% of all cases, they occur as a result of an obstruction within the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. This is because of a development of fatty deposits lining the vessel walls.
Hemorrhagic Stroke accounts for about 13% of stroke cases, they occur as a result of a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue

Physical Therapy
Physical therapist's specialize in treating disabilities related to motor sensory impairments. They are trained in all aspects of anatomy and physiology related to normal function, with an emphasis on movement. They assess the stroke survivor's strength, endurance, range of motion, gait abnormalities, and sensory deficits to design individualized rehabilitation programs aimed at regaining control over motor functions. Therapists help survivors regain the use of stroke-impaired limbs, teach compensatory strategies to reduce the effect of remaining deficits, and establish ongoing exercise programs to help people retain their newly learned skills.