Medical Questions » Brain Questions » Question No. 159
| Question: | Q My 82 year old father had a stroke 20 months ago, and is now unable to talk, and has lost the use of his right hand. He worked all his life until six months before the stroke, and this happens when he should be able to lead the good life. Is there anything we can do to help him? I have considered taking him to Korea for acupuncture. |
| Answer: | A stroke is devastating to both the victim and his or her family.
Strokes are caused by the blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain. The symptoms you describe fit the picture of a stroke perfectly. I would not think that there is any other likely diagnosis.
In a stroke, part of the brain is usually deprived of its blood supply. The affected part of the brain then dies and degenerates. The effects of a stroke depend upon which artery is damaged, and which part of the brain dies. Thus some people have minor effects, while others quite different major effects from a stroke.
Once part of the brain is dead, it cannot repair itself, and remains permanently non-functioning. The brain can sometimes learn new tricks to bypass the damage, but after 20 months, the residual problems will be permanent.
You and your family must accept what has happened to your father. There is no form of cure or alleviation possible. I would strongly advise against spending thousands of dollars on overseas trips in a fruitless search for the unobtainable.
Australian doctors are among the best in the world, and any form of treatment that is likely to be beneficial will be tried, but only if there is evidence of its effectiveness.
Lead your own lives, visit your father regularly to reassure and comfort him, but do not ruin your own lives by attempting to cure the incurable.
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