Research shows that the brain possesses an extraordinary ability to heal itself after stroke. This ability, known as neuroplasticity, is why many stroke survivors go on to make astonishing recoveries. However, this healing process cannot happen on its own. It requires your help to activate it.
In fact, ischemic strokes unfold over a period of 10 hours. That means that with every second you wait for treatment, the brain damage gets worse. If a stroke is untreated for the full 10 hours, the brain ages up to 36 years! With every minute you wait, the brain loses two million brain cells.
Gains can happen quickly or over time.
The most rapid recovery usually occurs during the first three to four months after a stroke, but some survivors continue to recover well into the first and second year after their stroke.
Recovery time after a stroke is different for everyone—it can take weeks, months, or even years. Some people recover fully, but others have long-term or lifelong disabilities. Learn more about stroke rehabilitation from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Only about 10 percent of stroke survivors recover almost completely after a stroke. Even then, this is not a full recovery. These stroke survivors regain the majority of their bodily functions with little inhibitions but still may see some limited movements.
It can last a few minutes or persist up to 24 hours.
A mild stroke can be an indicator that a more serious stroke is on its way. Compared to the general population, people who have suffered a mild stroke are five times more likely to have an ischemic stroke in the next two years. Patients who have experienced a mild stroke should follow up with their doctor regularly.
Even after surviving a stroke, you're not out of the woods, since having one makes it a lot more likely that you'll have another. In fact, of the 795,000 Americans who will have a first stroke this year, 23 percent will suffer a second stroke.
It takes about three months after the stroke for neuroplasticity to return to a more normal state. After that, a survivor can still work on regaining function and practice for improvement, but those improvements may come at a slower pace.”
Getting to the ER as quickly as possible is perhaps the most important part of managing a stroke because brain tissue can die at a rapid pace. Statistics show that the initial 10–20 minutes of a stroke plays a crucial role in deciding the overall quality and chance of survival.
A stroke is most often caused by a clot in a blood vessel supplying the brain, and permanent brain damage can be reduced if the blood flow is restored quickly enough. That means the symptoms of a stroke can – in some cases – be reversed.
It means that delays in getting care when experiencing stroke symptoms reduces a patient's treatment options and increases the risk of lasting disability or death, says vascular neurologist Mohammad Shafie, MD, PhD, associate director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center.
Mini strokes can occur before larger ones as a warning. Both have the same risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity – all of which can cause plaque buildup in the arteries that can lead to blood clots.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Trouble speaking or understanding. Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination.
Mild stroke recovery time
Most people see their symptoms subside within a few minutes to up to 24 hours without medical treatment. However, people who experience a mild stroke should be on high alert for the next 48 hours, as their chances of experiencing a regular stroke are quite high during this period.
Getting a good night's sleep supports neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to restructure and create new neural connections in healthy parts of the brain, allowing stroke survivors to re-learn movements and functions.
1–3 Months Post-Stroke
“The first three months after a stroke are the most important for recovery and when patients will see the most improvement,” says Raghavan. During this time, most patients will enter and complete an inpatient rehabilitation program, or make progress in their outpatient therapy sessions.
Your brain is amazing! It has the ability to re-wire itself, allowing you to improve skills such as walking, talking and using your affected arm. This process is known as neuroplasticity. It begins after a stroke, and it can continue for years.
Unlike a CT scan, which takes several hours to reveal any blockages of blood flow, an MRI can uncover any brain damage within an hour of the onset of the stroke symptoms.
After a stroke, many people have physical problems such as numbness in the arms or legs and trouble with walking, vision, swallowing, talking, or understanding. These issues may be permanent, but not always. Rehabilitation is key for regaining lost skills and adapting to damage that can't be undone.