Brain Tumor Rehabilitation After Treatment

Rehabilitation is an important facet of brain tumor recovery after brain surgery or another brain tumor treatment. Patients have many options for rehabilitation therapy, including:
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech therapy.

Brain Tumor Treatment

Brain tumor treatment can be relatively minimal or extremely invasive. Radiation therapy, for example, is non-invasive, but may have significant side effects. Surgery is often a very effective invasive treatment, but can be life-altering or have major complications. Rehabilitation options will vary depending on the damage caused by the tumor and the type of treatment a patient receives. Some patients may lose the use of appendages, hearing, speech or vision, while others may only experience nausea and vomiting as a result of their treatment.

Brain Tumor Recovery

Many factors affect the brain tumor recovery process, such as the patient's age and health before treatment. Patients can greatly increase their rate and quality of recovery and rehabilitation by taking care of themselves and staying healthy. Specifically, staying healthy during the recovery process includes:
  • Eating a healthy diet, full of complex carbohydrates, is important for long-term energy.
  • Exercising moderately may help with fatigue and depression, and may improve sleep.
  • Sleeping for several uninterrupted hours each night helps combat fatigue and aids in physical and emotional recovery.
Of course, patients should check with a doctor before embarking on any brain tumor recovery plan.

Rehabilitation Therapy

After brain tumor treatment, patients may need varying amounts of rehabilitation therapy, depending on how the tumor and treatment have affected their health. Brain tumor rehabilitation involves many types of therapy, including:
  • Physical therapy: Physical therapists aim to improve a patient's physical skills after treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can make the patient tired, nauseous and affect balance, strength and coordination. A physical therapist works to slowly bring the person back to health and can instruct the patient on how to safely perform different exercises.
  • Speech therapy: Speech therapists work with patients to improve speech and help them to verbalize thoughts. Speech therapy is necessary for patients whose brain tumors have affected the speech sections of the brain. Speech therapists can also help with swallowing problems associated with certain brain tumors.
  • Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists help patients relearn tasks related to everyday chores, such as bathing, dressing and eating. A goal of occupational therapy is to help the patient become more independent and productive, both at home and in work environments.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gastrointestinal Defects

Birth defects, also known as "congenital abnormalities," are structural defects in some part or system of the body that can affect the body's function. These congenital defects occur during fetal development, and are present in a baby from birth. Like other complex body systems, the gastrointestinal system (or digestive system), responsible for digestion and extracting nutrients from food, is vulnerable to congenital defects during its development. Healthy Gastrointestinal Tract Function The gastrointestinal system is made up of several organs, including the: Mouth Esophagus Stomach Small intestine: Duodenum, jejunum and ileum Large intestine: Cecum, colon, rectum and anus. In healthy people, food enters the mouth, and is chewed and swallowed, passing through the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach breaks down the food, then passes it into the intestines, where it is digested further, and particles from the food can be absorbed. Waste is stored in the r
Keep reading

Hypersomnia: An Overview

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by sleeping too much, experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or a combination of the two. Hypersomnia is not the same as feeling tired due to poor quality sleep or not getting enough sleep. Often, people with hypersomnia fall asleep suddenly throughout the day, a symptom the condition shares with narcolepsy. Symptoms of Hypersomnia Symptoms of hypersomnia often develop in adolescence or early adulthood. People with hypersomnia may sleep for up to 12 hours at a time, but still wake up feeling tired. Individuals may struggle to wake up after deep sleep and seem disoriented and confused. Hypersomnia often develops gradually, making it difficult for people to realize they are sleeping too much. Signs associated with hypersomnia include: Anxiety Headaches Irritation Loss of appetite Low energy levels Memory problems "Nap attacks" during the day Restlessness Sleeping too much Slow speech Slow thought proce
Keep reading

Irritable Bowel Disease Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a very common disorder that affects the functioning of the bowel. Although the severity of the condition (also occasionally called  spastic colon ) can vary considerably from one patient to another, typical characteristics include changes in bowel habits ranging from diarrhea to constipation, cramp-like pains, bloating and a feeling of "gassiness." For some sufferers, IBS is little more than a minor inconvenience; for others it can be totally disabling. In extreme cases, the patient is unable to travel, function in the workplace or enjoy socializing. Common Misconceptions Irritable bowel syndrome is not . . . an imaginary disease.  IBS has biological causes and biological symptoms and is certainly not a condition that is "all in your mind. " caused by other diseases  such as gallstones or ulcers. an infection , although it can sometimes be triggered by a bout of gastroenteritis or similar digestive system disorders. hereditary . a precursor to c
Keep reading