Changing stroke rehab and research worldwide now.Time is Brain! trillions and trillions of neurons that DIE each day because there are NO effective hyperacute therapies besides tPA(only 12% effective). I have 523 posts on hyperacute therapy, enough for researchers to spend decades proving them out. These are my personal ideas and blog on stroke rehabilitation and stroke research. Do not attempt any of these without checking with your medical provider. Unless you join me in agitating, when you need these therapies they won't be there.

What this blog is for:

My blog is not to help survivors recover, it is to have the 10 million yearly stroke survivors light fires underneath their doctors, stroke hospitals and stroke researchers to get stroke solved. 100% recovery. The stroke medical world is completely failing at that goal, they don't even have it as a goal. Shortly after getting out of the hospital and getting NO information on the process or protocols of stroke rehabilitation and recovery I started searching on the internet and found that no other survivor received useful information. This is an attempt to cover all stroke rehabilitation information that should be readily available to survivors so they can talk with informed knowledge to their medical staff. It lays out what needs to be done to get stroke survivors closer to 100% recovery. It's quite disgusting that this information is not available from every stroke association and doctors group.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Ginkgo biloba after an ischaemic stroke - Chinese TCM

From the University of Maryland School of Medicine.  Nothing here is very scientific.
The University of Maryland and the Center for Integrative Medicine make no warranties, express or implied, about the value or utility for any purpose of the information and resources contained herein.

http://www.compmed.umm.edu/cochrane-reviews/cochrane-rev-stroke.asp

What the synthesised research says

One trial, which was well conducted to limit external influences on the results (biases), measured neurological deficit and did not show a clear benefit with Ginkgo biloba compared with non-active treatment (placebo). This places doubt on how beneficial Ginkgo biloba is.
An improvement in neurological impairment was reported with Ginkgo biloba in nine
trials that had important methodological limitations. The review authors conclude that there is no clear evidence to support the routine use of Ginkgo biloba extract to promote recovery after stroke. High-quality and large-scale randomised controlled trials are needed to test its efficacy.

How it was tested

The researchers made a thorough search of the medical literature and found 10 controlled trials. The 792 participants in these trials received either Ginkgo biloba extract (injection or tablet), placebo, or no additional treatment with their normal supportive care. Treatment began within the first two days to some time later, or was not stated, after onset of stroke. Ginkgo biloba was given as tablets in six trials, at 120 mg to 240 mg per day for 20 to 28 days and as intravenous injections or drips over 14 to 30 days in four other trials.

Side effects and general cautions

No major side effects were reported in the three trials that looked for them. Nor were adverse events evident in other identified studies that did not follow the same strict methodological design.
The most commonly reported side effects with Ginkgo biloba are mild stomach and intestinal problems such as constipation, indigestion and diarrhoea, and headaches. Serious side effects are rare but include excessive bleeding problems. This means that people who are already taking blood thinners (anti-clotting or anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications) to prevent strokes and heart attacks should consult a doctor before taking Gingko biloba. People who have seizures are also advised to seek medical advice about using this herb. 
It is likely that only people with mild strokes were included in these trials and functional ability was not measured. Ability to carry our daily activities of living are important to people as well as neurological impairments.

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