Effects of Stroke

What is a Stroke | Diagnosing Stroke | Location of Stroke |  Effects of Stroke | Spasticity

It's important to remember that stroke affects people differently depending on the part of the brain that's injured, how bad the injury is and the person's overall health. Some of the effects of stroke are:

Depression - Almost everyone who has a stroke has depression and this can affect recovery. Sometimes, depressed people who have had a stroke don't want to take their medications. They may not try to do the exercises that they need to perform to improve mobility. They may be irritable with caregivers, friends and family.

Signs of depression include:

-feeling slowed down, restless or unable to sit still
-feeling worthless or guilty
-increase or decrease in appetite or weight
-problems concentrating, thinking, remembering, or making decisions
-trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
-loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time
-headaches
-digestive problems
-feeling hopeless
-being anxious or worried
-thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can be treated with medication, psychotherapy or both. Treating depression will help recovery from stroke.

Emotional outbursts - Sometimes when a person has had a stroke, they have trouble controlling their emotional responses. There may be no happiness or sadness involved, but they may laugh or cry suddenly for no apparent reason.

Language - Some people may have trouble understanding speech or writing. This is called aphasia (pronounced a-FAY-zha). Or, the person may understand but can't think of the words to speak or write. Sometimes a person knows the right words but can't say them clearly.

Paralysis - This may affect the whole side of the body or just the arm or the leg. The weakness or paralysis is on the side of the body opposite the side of the brain injured by the stroke.

Problems with balance or coordination - These problems can make sitting, standing or walking difficult, even if muscles are strong enough.

Neglect - This means being unaware or ignoring things on one side of the body. Often, the person will not turn to look toward the weaker side or even eat food from one side of the plate.

Memory problems - Some people have trouble with a lot of mental activities and some have trouble with just a few. A person who has had a stroke may have trouble following directions, become confused if something in a room is moved or may not be able to keep track of day or time.

Trouble swallowing - (dysphagia, pronounced dis-FAY-ja) This can make it hard for the person to get enough food. Care must sometimes be taken to prevent the person from breathing in food while trying to swallow.

Pain - Lying or sitting in one place for too long can cause pain. Sometimes a brace may not be fitted properly and can cause pain or the weight of a paralyzed arm can hurt.

Problems with bowel or bladder control - These problems can be helped with the use of portable urinals, bedpans and other toileting devices.

Sexuality - Many couples find that a stroke changes their sexual relationship, but this isn't always a problem. How close a couple is before the stroke often predicts how the relationship continues after a stroke.

Skin care - If a person is immobilized by a stroke, caregivers have to make sure the person doesn't sit or lie in the same position for a long period of time. Pillows can support injured arms or legs and there are special mattresses and cushions that reduce pressure.

Sources for this report include the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Consumer Guide No. #16 AHQR pub. no. 95-0664 US Agency For Healthcare Research and Quality.