Effects of Stroke
The effects of a stroke vary from one individual to another, depending on the part of the brain injured, the extent of the injury as well as the person’s general health. Some of the effects of stroke are:
- Weakness on the side of the body opposite the side of the brain injured by the stroke. The weakness or paralysis may involve the whole side or just the arm of the leg.
- Problems with balance or coordination. The person may find it hard to sit, stand or walk even if the muscles are strong. These problems may lead to falls.
- Problems with language. A person may have trouble saying words clearly and the speech may be slurred (dysarthria). A person may also have difficulty understanding oral or written words (aphasia).
- Feelings of pain, numbness or odd sensations that may make the person uncomfortable.
- Lack of awareness or ignoring things on one side of the body (hemineglect). The person may not look toward the weak side and may ignore what goes on in that side.
- The person may not be aware of the effects of stroke and may show poor judgment by trying to do things that are not safe.
- Problems with thinking, memory learning or attention (cognition). The person may have difficulty tracking date or time and may also have problems following directions.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphasia) and the tendency to aspirate or breathing in good while trying to swallow. As a result, the person may not get enough nourishment as well as hydration. Careful consideration must be given to the consistency of food the person is able to swallow safely.
- Difficulty with bowel or bladder control. These problems may include constipation or inability to control bowel or bladder function related to changes in cognition, activity, diet or depression.
- Fatigue or getting tired very quickly which may limit a person’s rehabilitation program.
- Sudden emotional outbursts such as laughing, crying or getting angry. These may indicate that the person needs help, understanding, or support in adjusting to the effects of stroke.
- Depression is common in people who have had strokes and may begin soon after the stroke or weeks later.
