[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Pressure sores are a common problem for patients who have been immobilized for a long period of time. These sores are  wounds on body where too much pressure is put on the skin surface. Such pressure injuries usually occur on pressure bearing areas of the body. It is also essential to understand that these wounds are not accidental and can be quite painful and have overall inhibitory affect on the recovery of the patient. Hence, it becomes essential to know the symptoms, causes and treatment aspects of these wounds. Identify the signs – The first warning sign can be erythema or reddened skin which appears in skin areas sustaining maximum pressure from either a wheelchair cushion or bed mattress. It is very important to identify the location of these pressure sores, as well. Such wounds mainly occur in areas like occiput, elbows, shoulder blades, hip, lower back, heels, internal and anterior part of the knee. Medical attention becomes necessary as soon as a non subsiding erythema sets in. If the wound starts darkening and is accompanied with the presence of drainage and dead tissue, consult the healthcare provider immediately. Know the causes – Physical factors are among the primary...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] An intensive and structured cardiac rehabilitation program always helps patients in regaining optimal fitness. These programs become essential especially after a patient suffers from a heart attack or other cardiac problems. The team of therapists will help in improving your functional disability along with decreasing additional risk factors. Before opting for an inclusive and integrated rehabilitation plan, it is important to know more about the acute phase. It primarily comprises of the cardiac rehabilitation’s initial stage. It begins immediately after the patient has suffered from a cardiac event. This phase include – Assessment for inpatient cardiac rehab program.  Evaluation for exercise testing.  Medical therapy. Occupational therapy. Classifying risk of cardiac events during exercise. Cardio pulmonary exercise training with monitoring, prescribing safe exercises which aid in improving mobility and overall cardiac fitness. Such exercises often entail self-care and range-of-motion exercises for patients. As these rehab plans are inclusive and patient-centric, the involvement of family becomes mandatory. In this case, family members are educated about the patient’s condition, the probable benefits and risks of rehabilitative therapy. Helping patients engage in activities which they can perform in regular life is a vital aspect of cardiac rehabilitation programs. Educating patients and their family...

Orthopedic trauma is not uncommon or unheard of! Be it a sports related injury or a slip and fall accident, such mishaps can put a halt to your regular activities. Even after being careful and taking precautionary methods for preventing injuries, you might end up getting hurt. By responding appropriately to your injuries, you can get back to routine life, as early as possible. If the wounds and discomfort are serious, then opting for a comprehensive rehabilitation program might work wonders for you! Here are a few important points to keep in mind – Too much exertion on the affected areas will only cause more discomfort. If you experience unnecessary muscle fatigue or throbbing in the injured area, then stop all activities and rest. Compression on the affected areas of the body can also be helpful, at times. A light wrap in the form of tape or bandage will aid in preventing fluid accumulation. Physiologists and therapists recommend moving around a little, once the swelling and pain has subsided. Their primary aim is to ensure that you return to daily activities with full range of motion. Physical therapy is another important part of orthopedic rehabilitation. It comprises of exercises which...

After suffering from a cardiac or neurological problem, it is essential for patients to get ample and safe therapy. This enables their swift recovery so that they can regain their freedom of movement and mobility. Thus, it becomes essential to choose the right rehabilitation facility for ensuring the best possible treatment and care for patients. Choosing a top-notch rehab center becomes an essential consideration for the future, for both you and your loved one! Before choosing a rehabilitation program, it is important to take note of the quality of care. This factor will help you in choosing the right rehab facility for taking care of a patient’s neurological or cardiac problem. Here are a few ways with the help of which you can make the necessary decision – • Developing treatment plans–This is an essential point which you must discuss before beginning the rehab program. Physicians and specialists will provide you with a detailed treatment plan where you may have to work with speech/language, swallow, occupational, physical and psychological therapists under supervision with a target oriented approach. • Specific programs – A patient-centric rehabilitation plan will always cater to the patient’s requirements. It will ensure that they get back to...

A stroke attack can come as an immense shock to the affected person and their family members. It affects your life and the normal routine goes for a toss. In such cases, choosing the right rehabilitation facility becomes an integral factor. By doing so, patients will be able to obtain faster recovery and can learn to live in a new way. Another essential point is whether rehab facilities utilize new technologies for improving the condition of stroke patients. This is important because progress in health can only be possible with the availability of advanced technological equipment. Some of the interesting technologies which several rehabilitation hospitals have adopted are the following – Electrical Stimulation–This technology has been a constant when it comes to rehabilitation and is helpful for pain management. It also enables the improvement of patient’s motor and their overall functional mobility. Equipment and units with electrical stimulation further boost gait velocity, weight shift along with enhancing sensory awareness. These units also decrease the risk of spasticity and falls in patients. Body Weight Support Units–At times, gravity becomes a hindrance for stroke patients. Paralyzed or weak limbs, after the attack, require extra support for movement. With Body Weight Support Systems,...

Your friend complains of short spells of dizziness and headache. She later tells you that she had suffered from a mild head injury by slipping and falling in the kitchen. You also find out that she is also facing sensory problems like ringing in her ears and blurred vision. And before you know it, she is being admitted in the hospital as the previous symptoms have worsened. Turns out that “mild” head injury had aggravated and turned into traumatic brain injury. Be it a blow or knock to the head and even a minor accident, taking such injuries lightly can result in severe brain damage. Some other causes include sports-related and motor vehicle accidents, falls, and physical assaults. Understanding the symptoms hence becomes imperative for both the patient and the rehabilitation specialist. The rehab experts can then formulate a patient-centric therapy and exercise program for their betterment. Thus, it is integral for patients to understand the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury: • Cognitive – Problems in paying attention, getting distracted easily or unable to concentrate on any chore. Many patients also suffer from memory loss, confusion and problem in processing information. • Sensory – Difficulty in interpreting temperature, touch, and...

The primary aim of rehabilitation is to ensure that you gain back your life and freedom of movement. When a cardiovascular disorder occurs, it affects you mentally and physically. An individualized cardiac rehabilitation program helps in improving your health and also prevents future cardiac events like stroke, myocardial infarction or heart attack. Such optimal rehab therapy programs further aid patients in recovering from interventional and surgical procedures. Before going forward with the rehab program, it is essential to understand what the treatment goals include along with their effectiveness. The long-term goals include the identification and treatment of cardiac risk factors. The short-term goals include restoring a patient’s cardiac health and helping them regain their independence. The rehabilitation program begins with a thorough medical evaluation. Creating a comprehensive program, suited to a patient’s requirement is the primary aim of rehab specialists. Supervised and graded exercise is another integral part of cardiac therapy. Rehab specialists also have to educate patients about controlling the risk factors through lifestyle changes. Here are some positive ways in which the treatment aspects of cardiac rehabilitation can improve the quality of life: Physical activities - Rehab specialists will recommend certain exercises like walking, jogging or cycling. Endurance...

Stroke attack occurs when a clot obstructs the blood flow to the brain. This can result in problems like swallowing and communication which are some of the common effects, after a stroke. In such cases, undergoing a dedicated Speech and Language therapy program will be beneficial for you. Therapists will first assess the difficulties you are facing and then proceed with the rehabilitation program. These specialists understand that ineffective communication after a stroke becomes a hindrance for you. Here are some of the issues which you should be aware of – • Choking or coughing sensation while eating or drinking • Speaking jumbled sentences or pronouncing certain words incorrectly • Difficulty in forming speech and words due to the weakened mouth muscles • Problems in understanding languages Speech and language therapy is an integral part of stroke rehabilitation. Working with trained experts will help patients in regaining lost skills which were affected due to stroke. Assessing your strengths, weaknesses and personal goals will aid in shaping the speech rehabilitation process. The therapy will enable you in learning and improving your speech skills. Speech pathologists utilize variety of tools and methods to help you in regaining your communication skills. They use...

Accidents like car crashes, falls and blows to the head can cause severe damage to the brain tissueleading to disruption of your life. Such a serious injury can affect the brain and the patient’sability of thinking, socializing, and moving. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of brain injury before the diagnosis and treatment procedures begin. These include – 1. Physical –Weakness in hands and legs can result indifferent kinds of difficulties like walking, standing, sitting, moving, balancing, disuse atrophy,and spasticity. It also results in the inability to speak and swallow. 2. Sensory–Facing problems in sense of touch, hearing and vision. 3. Cognitive – Inability in paying attention, performing simple tasks or remembering and personality changes. With proper rehabilitative care and optimal therapy, improvement of the above-mentioned conditions is indeed possible. A rehabilitation program will help you in numerous ways for enhancing your physical independence. Setting realistic goals is necessary as it will ensure swift recovery and will further help in making regular tasks easier for you! Rehabilitation entails appropriate task-specific exercise. These includetraining in activities of daily living, electrotherapy, psychological counseling, robotic training, use of orthotics, etc. Also part of the rehab program is speech and swallow...