Stroke Impact: Understanding The Damage Beyond The Obvious

A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain, such as blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the brain. This interruption in blood supply causes brain cells to be deprived of oxygen, resulting in their death and subsequent brain damage. The effects of a stroke depend on the location and extent of the damage, with common consequences including paralysis, sensory changes, speech and language problems, cognitive impairments, emotional disturbances, and behavioural changes. The severity of the stroke also determines the likelihood of permanent disability or death. Immediate medical attention is critical to minimising the impact of a stroke, as time is of the essence in restoring blood flow and preventing irreversible harm.

Paralysis on the right side of the body

The brain is comprised of two hemispheres, and each hemisphere is responsible for movement on the opposite side of the body. Therefore, damage to the left hemisphere of the brain will result in paralysis on the right side of the body. This can occur due to a stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, or other neurological diagnoses.

Right hemiplegia can affect not only the arms, legs, hands, and feet, but also the body's trunk and postural muscles. It can also involve the muscles of the face and throat, leading to deficits in speech and facial expression, as well as dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Individuals with right hemiplegia may experience a decrease in independence due to poor balance, decreased muscle function, lack of active movement, and abnormal muscle tone.

Treatment for right hemiplegia focuses on promoting neuroplasticity through highly repetitive practice. Rehabilitation specialists such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists can provide exercises and activities that target the affected side. Passive exercises, electrical stimulation, and mental practice are also beneficial for individuals with right hemiplegia.

While living with paralysis on the right side of the body can be challenging, there is hope for recovery through consistent rehabilitation and the nervous system's ability to rewire itself.

Loss of bowel and bladder control

A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain. This interruption in blood supply can cause brain cells to become oxygen-deprived and stop functioning properly, potentially leading to permanent damage or death if not addressed promptly.

Now, let's focus on the topic of loss of bowel and bladder control after a stroke:

Several factors can contribute to the development of bladder and bowel incontinence after a stroke. One factor is damage to the nervous system, which can arise from the stroke itself or other neurological diseases and injuries. For example, if the stroke occurs in the left side of the brain, it can lead to sensory changes and paralysis on the right side of the body, potentially impacting the nerves and muscles responsible for bladder and bowel control. Additionally, certain medications, infections, pelvic floor problems, and surgical complications can also lead to incontinence.

Managing bladder and bowel incontinence involves a range of treatments, tailored to the individual's specific diagnosis. Dietary changes, such as increasing fiber intake and fluid consumption, can help manage diarrhea, constipation, and urinary incontinence. Specific exercises, like Kegel exercises, strengthen the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles, improving an individual's ability to control the release of urine and stool. In some cases, electrical stimulation therapy may be used to stimulate damaged nerves and improve muscle control in the bladder and bowel. For severe cases, surgery may be required to repair damage to muscles and nerves.

It is important for individuals experiencing bladder and bowel incontinence to seek help from a healthcare provider. While these issues can be challenging and embarrassing to discuss, healthcare professionals are equipped to address these concerns and develop effective treatment plans to improve quality of life.

Breathing and heart function problems

A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain. It is the brain's equivalent of a heart attack. When a stroke happens, brain cells in the affected area start to die from a lack of oxygen. This can lead to permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

The brainstem, located at the base of the brain, controls many of the body's vital "life-support" functions, including heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing. When a stroke occurs in the brainstem, it can lead to serious breathing and heart function problems.

Breathing Problems

Breathing difficulties after a stroke can range from mild to severe. In some cases, individuals may experience shortness of breath or difficulty taking deep breaths. In more severe cases, a stroke can lead to respiratory failure, where the body is unable to get enough oxygen, requiring mechanical ventilation or other life support measures.

Heart Function Problems

The heart is also vulnerable to the effects of a stroke. The disruption in blood flow and oxygen supply can impact the heart's electrical system, leading to abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias. This can further cause issues with the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, increasing the risk of heart failure. Additionally, if the stroke occurs in the left side of the brain, it can affect the right side of the body, including the heart, leading to cardiac complications.

Impact on Blood Pressure

Strokes, especially hemorrhagic strokes, can also impact blood pressure regulation. The disruption in the nervous system due to the stroke can affect the body's ability to regulate blood pressure, leading to hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure). These blood pressure changes can further impact the heart's functioning and increase the risk of heart-related complications.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

The effects of a stroke on breathing and heart function can vary depending on the location and severity of the stroke. It is important to seek immediate medical attention as the treatment and recovery from a stroke depend on how quickly interventions are implemented. Rehabilitation and therapy can help improve breathing and heart function after a stroke. Speech therapy can aid in improving respiratory muscle control, while physical therapy can enhance cardiovascular endurance and overall heart health.

Vision problems

Types of Vision Problems

• Homonymous hemianopia: Vision loss in either the right or left half of the visual field in each eye.
• Homonymous quadrantanopia: Vision loss in either the upper or lower quarters of the visual field.
• Scotoma: An obstruction (blind spot) anywhere in the visual field.
• Spatial neglect or inattention: The brain doesn't process visual information on the side affected by the stroke.
• Eye movement disorders: Impaired eye function due to nerve and muscle damage around the eyes. This can lead to issues such as nystagmus (rapid movement of the eyes), strabismus (eye turning), diplopia (double vision), and oculomotor dysfunction (tracking issues).
• Dry eyes and light sensitivity: Issues with blinking or closing the eyes can cause dryness, irritation, and burning. Light sensitivity can also develop, along with disorientation in low light.

Treatment and Management

• Vision therapy: A range of exercises to help regain vision and retrain the eyes to compensate for vision loss. Scanning, for example, involves eye exercises to improve visual awareness towards and away from blind spots.
• Prisms: Added to glasses to bend light and change how a person perceives objects, helping to move them into the person's field of view.
• Eye patches: Useful for people with double vision, especially when performing visually heavy tasks like reading or watching television.
• Balance and spatial awareness training: To improve loss of coordination or equilibrium caused by vision changes.
• Corrective lenses: While glasses and contact lenses generally do not help with vision loss from a stroke, some special types of corrective lenses may assist with specific issues.
• Relaxation techniques: Techniques like deep breathing can help manage stress, depression, or anxiety that may arise due to vision changes.

Problems with speech and understanding language

A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain. This can be due to blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the brain. When this happens, brain cells in the affected area start to die from a lack of oxygen, which can lead to permanent damage or death if not treated promptly.

The effects of a stroke depend on the location and extent of the damage to the brain tissue. A stroke on the left side of the brain will affect the right side of the body, and a stroke on the right side of the brain will affect the left side. If the stroke occurs at the back of the brain, it is likely to result in some form of visual disability.

One of the common effects of a stroke is problems with speech and understanding language, known as aphasia. Aphasia is a communication disorder that interferes with verbal and/or written communication. It is caused by damage to the areas of the brain that control language. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include:

• Speaking in short, incomplete sentences or phrases
• Speaking in sentences that others cannot understand
• Using the wrong words or nonsense words
• Using words in the wrong order
• Difficulty understanding other people's speech, especially when spoken quickly
• Misunderstanding figurative speech

A more specific form of aphasia is dysarthria, which is difficulty speaking caused by brain damage or changes in the nervous system. Symptoms of dysarthria include:

• Slurred, nasal-sounding, or breathy speech
• Strained and hoarse voice
• Excessively loud or quiet speech
• Problems with speaking in a regular rhythm, with frequent hesitations
• "Gurgly" or monotone speech
• Difficulty with tongue and lip movements
• Difficulty swallowing, which may lead to constant drooling
• Only being able to produce short phrases, single words, or no intelligible speech

It is important to note that dysarthria does not directly relate to intelligence or understanding, but it can affect these areas. Additionally, speech problems can impact a person's ability to communicate and express themselves effectively.

Treatment for aphasia and dysarthria may include speech and language therapy, which can help improve communication skills and find alternative forms of communication. Emotional support and talk therapy may also be recommended to help individuals cope with their diagnosis and symptoms.

Frequently asked questions