What Are the After Effects of Stroke?

Stroke (brain attack), or cerebrovascular disease, is a condition in which a degree of cerebral function is lost due to ischemia or hemorrhage. This loss of function affects the lives of over 795,000 who suffer from the effects of stroke, which not only has a physical impact on lives, but a financial one as well costing billions of dollars per year in health care costs and time lost from work.

Physical Effects:

This condition can have varied and wide residual effects that can take up to a year or more for recovery. However, some people come away from a stroke with no residual disability and complete recovery. It greatly depends on the type of stroke and extent of damage. Additionally, the amount of time from stroke onset to medical treatment is also a very important factor in what happens after a stroke. Time is the enemy here, and medical attention is required absolutely immediately. Brain attack victims need treatment within 3 hours to take advantage of the life saving procedures available for that time frame. The faster you get effective treatment, the better the outcome.

Common After Effects:

Aphasia: Is the inability to speak and understand language. This affects approximately 20% of stroke victims, and occurs in the left hemisphere of the brain where the language center is located.

Dysphagia: The inability to swallow can lead to severe malnutrition and depression in affected individuals. People with dysphagia are fed via a tube surgically inserted into the stomach. This poses potential for infection of the surgical site which must be kept clean with regular dressing changes. The depression results from lifestyle changes that takes place, as well as changes in perceived body image.

Depression: Depending on the type of brain attack, there may be body changes, such as a paralyzed extremity or inability to speak. This can cause frustration and sad feelings. Perception of self and body image changes that are suddenly different from the norm, as well as feelings of isolation can lead to the person feeling down and blue.

Hemiplegia: Is unilateral (one side of the body) paralysis, which can result in muscle spasms and muscle wasting (atrophy) of the affected extremity. This is why rehab care is so important to help those afflicted with stroke to recover previous abilities and reduce complications.

Recovery Care:

People recovering from a brain attack need special attention during this period. Damage to brain tissue results in the loss of some bodily functions, such as walking and talking. Most, if not all function can be recaptured with lots of support and rehabilitation. If the brain damage sustained is extensive, the person will need to re-learn all the activities we do everyday and take for granted, such as brushing our teeth, washing our face, and combing our hair.

Rehab Therapy:

Rehab support is vital for recovery from a brain attack. Statistics show that receiving rehabilitative care is instrumental in helping patients get back to as normal a life as possible. The physical impact of this condition encompasses the need for occupational, physical, and speech therapies that work in conjunction with each other to reduce the effects of stroke.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT