Perception on Quality of Life of the Family Members with Stroke Patient
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS PERCEPTION OF
QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER STROKE
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
A stroke is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain, usually because a blood vessel bursts or is blocked by a clot, as define by World Health Organization. The blockage of oxygen and nutrients to the brain can cause damage to the brain tissue. The most common symptom of stroke is sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, most often on one side of the body. Other symptoms include: confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech; difficulty seeing with one or both eyes; difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; severe headache with no known cause; fainting or unconsciousness. The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured and how severely it is affected. A very severe stroke can cause sudden death (WHO 2012).
The stroke statistics are grim. According to World Health Organization annually there are 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are left permanently disabled, placing a burden on family and community. According to the Philippine Health Statistics (2004), stroke kills 61.8 per 100,000 population. It is the second leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, next to heart diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that in 2007 alone, stroke affected 486 out of 100, 000 Filipinos. Furthermore stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines and worldwide. It is also the leading cause of disability with about 32% of stroke survivors rendered permanently disabled.
With the improvements on health care, more people survive stroke but many have to cope with the physical, emotional and social problem. Cerebral stoke can cause a significant deterioration of the patient’s functioning and worsening their quality of life. Long-term disability is the common problem of
QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER STROKE
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
A stroke is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain, usually because a blood vessel bursts or is blocked by a clot, as define by World Health Organization. The blockage of oxygen and nutrients to the brain can cause damage to the brain tissue. The most common symptom of stroke is sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, most often on one side of the body. Other symptoms include: confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech; difficulty seeing with one or both eyes; difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; severe headache with no known cause; fainting or unconsciousness. The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured and how severely it is affected. A very severe stroke can cause sudden death (WHO 2012).
The stroke statistics are grim. According to World Health Organization annually there are 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are left permanently disabled, placing a burden on family and community. According to the Philippine Health Statistics (2004), stroke kills 61.8 per 100,000 population. It is the second leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, next to heart diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that in 2007 alone, stroke affected 486 out of 100, 000 Filipinos. Furthermore stroke is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines and worldwide. It is also the leading cause of disability with about 32% of stroke survivors rendered permanently disabled.
With the improvements on health care, more people survive stroke but many have to cope with the physical, emotional and social problem. Cerebral stoke can cause a significant deterioration of the patient’s functioning and worsening their quality of life. Long-term disability is the common problem of