During a stroke, blood supply is restricted to the brain, and brain cells can be killed. This results in the paralysis and disability that is associated with a stroke. Popular belief for decades has been that once brain cells die, your body stops growing new cells in the brain. However, recent scientific studies have indicated that this belief might be wrong, to an extent. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, have demonstrated that animals that have suffered from a stroke can begin to repair damaged sections of their brains by sending replacement cells to help repair the area.
The study focused specifically on what is referred to as a “white matter stroke,” which is known to be a major cause of dementia in people. While not nearly as prevalent as Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most frequent example of dementia in the elderly, it still impacts a significant number of senior citizens, and the results that have been uncovered could have an impact far beyond this specific example. White matter strokes are a specific type of ischemic stroke, and unlike other types of strokes, their cause might go unnoticed for prolonged periods of time. Past research has not found a lot of evidence as to how to treat these, or how to create the most beneficial outcome for patients. The hope is that this specific study can help to reverse this.
In reality, the numbers of reported strokes each year is probably a lot lower than what actually occurs. About 795,000 people suffer from a stroke each year in the U.S., and about 130,000 die from it. Estimates say that “silent” strokes probably bring this number up six times. The majority of silent strokes are purported to be white matter strokes, and although very dangerous, they provide evidence for how those who have strokes can begin to recover.
If you have a loved one that has suffered a stroke, it’s vital that you give them the support that they need. Whether that means stepping in as a family caregiver, hiring a professional in-home care service, or some other sort of senior care, your loved one needs help and supervision as they struggle to regain full use of their bodies.
Also, you need to understand that just because something works in an animal trial does not guarantee that it will work with humans. However, this type of study does show a lot of promise because it is hope that when a loved one suffers a stroke, they are not necessarily condemned to a life of disability and long term care for the rest of their lives. Even if replacement cells cannot grow in humans, progress can sometimes be made when the right care is in place. This can be something as simple as an in-home care specialist who is trained in emergency preparedness, some physical therapy, or even counseling to help deal with some of the emotional repercussions that a stroke can bring about. When a support structure is in place, recovery becomes a little more likely.
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