Stroke in young adults
Although stroke occurs mostly in population over the age of 65, it is not rare in young or even children. In this population, the most common risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia or cardiovascular diseases are less prevalent. The prognosis in premature stroke is important because of the longer expected survival in young people than in the elderly. Compared with the elderly population, younger people experience less physical impairment and lower mortality after stroke, but psychosocial and economic consequences are more significant. The main goals of the stroke rehabilitation are prevention of contractures and embolism, optimal management of specific medical problems and ensuring psychological help and support to patients and their families. Rehabilitation with a multidisciplinary team should start as early as possible. The only correct goal in the rehabilitation of stroke patients is reintegration in their families and communities and returning to work if possible. The caregivers who take care of the stroke patients should be considered as real helpers on the field. Unfortunately, they tend to suffer from burnout syndrome and should also been viewed as patients. Early recognition of the caregiver burnout syndrome, as well as timely support and care, has a significant effect on the improvement of the quality of the patient’s rehabilitation.
Key words:
rehabilitation; stroke; young adults
