Stroke

The medical term for a "stroke" is a "cerebro-vascular accident" and occurs when the blood supply to the brain tissue is compromised - either by a blockage of a blood vessel or a brain haemorrhage. The severity of the stroke depends on its locality in the brain. Common signs seen and problems experienced after an acute cerebro-vascular incident include:

• weakness of limb / s
• paralysis of limb /s
• aphasia (inability to speak)
• dysphagia or aphagia (difficulty with / or inability to swallow)
The degree of recovery after a stroke depends very much on your state of health prior to the event as well as the size and site of the stroke.
Your full recovery may be facilitated by a comprehensive rehabilitation programme including therapy from a multi-disciplinary team for a period of three months after the ACUTE event.
The team of therpists may comprise a:
• physiotherapist
• occupational therapist
• speech therapist

This benefit is subject to case management.

To obtain authorisation for this programme you need to contact TopMed.

Fax: 031 580 0492
Phone: 0860 00 21 58