Key Terminology Flashcards
AAC
Augmented and alternative communication
Any method of communication that supplements the ordinary methods of speech and handwriting
Acute stroke unit
A stroke unit provides acute care in the early stages post-stroke
ADL’s
Activities of daily living
AF
Atrial Fibrillation
the most common type of irregular heartbeat and a risk factor for stroke
AFO
Ankle-Foot Orthotic
A support which compensates for weakness by controlling the position and motion of the ankle
Aneurysm
a balloon-like bulge in the wall of an artery. the walls of an aneurysm are thin and weak and so they are more likely to burst and cause bleeding in the brain. (a haemorrhagic stroke)
Angiography
a type of X-ray used to examine blood vessels. it can help to diagnose conditions that affect the blood vessels and the flow of blood through them
anticoagulant
a type of medication used to thin the blood. thinning the blood helps to reduce the risk of blood clots forming and reduces the risk of stroke
antiplatelet drugs
a type of blood thinning medication. they stop the platelets in the blood sticking together and forming clots which reduces the risk of stroke
Aphasia
difficulty speaking (expressive aphasia)
difficulty understanding what is said (receptive aphasia)
Apraxia
the inability to control and co-ordinate movements or carry out complex tasks
arrhythmia
an abnormal or irregular heartbeat
aspiration
food or fluid entering the lungs through the windpipe when someone has difficulty swallowing after a stroke
assistive technology
any product or service which is designed to help disabled people live independently
atherosclerosis
hardening of the arteries
blood pressure
the measure of how strongly the pressure against the walls of the arteries as it is pumped around the body
brain stem
the stem-like part of the brain, which links the two halves (hemispheres) of the brain to the spinal cord
cardio-embolic stroke
a stroke due to a blood clot that has formed in the heart and travelling to the brain
Cardiovascular system
consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood and is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones and waste product throughout the body
carotid arteries
the two large blood vessels at the front of the neck
carotid endarterectomy
an operation to clear carotid arteries of fatty deposits
CAT scan
computerized Axial tomography scan
a type of X-ray that is used to see what is going on inside the brain
Catheter
a small tube which drains fluid from a part of the body
CPSP
Central Post-Stroke Pain
an effect of stroke where the person has painful burning, throbbing or shooting feelings although there is nothing present that would normally cause pain
Cerebellum
a part of the brain that sits just underneath the back of the brain and on top of the brain stem
cerebral cortex
the outer layer of the brain that is made up of grey matter (brain cells)
Cerebrum
the largest part of the brain, which includes the cerebral cortex and other areas just below the surface. the cerebrum is important for movement, vision and higher abilities like thinking, memory and talking.
cholesterol
a fatty substance that is made in the liver and found in some foods
CIMT
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
the use of a glove or mitt on a stroke survivor’s less-affected hand to encourage them to use their more-affected hand whilst receiving input from a therapist
Clinical psychologist
a trained health professional who may provide emotional and behavioral assessment and support
cognitive function
anything that involves ‘thinking’ can be described as a cognitive function. many people have difficulty with cognitive functions after a stroke
CVA
Cerebro-vascular Accident
another term for a stroke
Dietitian
a trained health professional who can give specialist advice about eating a healthy diet
Doppler Scan
a type of ultrasound scan which is often used to check for narrowing of blood vessels in the neck
drop foot
a problem with walking that can be caused by a stroke
dysarthria
weakness in the muscles that control the mouth, lips, tongue or breathing
DVT
Deep-Vein Thrombosis
occurs when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel (vein) deep in the body. usually the clot is in the leg.
Echocardiogram
an ultrasound scan of the heart to check for an irregular heartbeat and ejection fraction
ECG
Electrocardiogram
a test for an irregular heartbeat
EEG
Electroencephalogram
a test that measures the electrical activity of the brain