What Are the Effects of Stroke on the Body?

 

A Stroke often occurs without warning and requires immediate medical attention. While the exact effects of a Stroke depend on its severity and which parts of the brain it affects, in many cases it has long-term effects on how the patient moves and feels after the episode. It’s important to remain aware of its possible after-effects, so that one knows what to expect and can accordingly seek help from the  best rehabilitation center in Bangalore.

Understanding Stroke

Also called a Cerebrovascular Accident, a Stroke refers to a type of brain damage caused by an interruption in its blood flow. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing the brain tissues from getting oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, the brain cells begin to die. A Stroke is typically caused due to pre-existing problems in the circulatory system, caused due to complications like diabetes or high cholesterol.

There are two types of Stroke. One type is Ischemic Stroke, where a blood clot forms in one of the main arteries supplying blood to the brain. It accounts for nearly 90% of all Strokes. While the other type is Haemorrhagic Stroke, where a blood vessel within or on the surface of the brain bursts. 

Effects of a Stroke

When you suffer a Stroke, your brain cell activity is inhibited. As a result, the parts of the body controlled by those brain cells are unable to work properly. The impact of the stroke depends on the severity of the attack and the overall health of the patient at the time. The following are some of the effects of stroke on the body:

• Weakness or paralysis: Perhaps the most common after-effect of a Stroke is weakness or paralysis, usually on just one side of the body. The effects are often made worse by spasticity in the muscles.

• Poor balance: An unsteady gait commonly happens as a result of weakness or paralysis. It can also happen as a consequence of damage to the cells in the brain that control balance.

• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and sleep difficulties are common after-effects and may continue for up to several months after the attack.

• Speech difficulties: Many patients experience trouble speaking, reading, writing, or understanding what other people are saying. This is known as aphasia.

• Vision problems: Many patients have difficulty seeing clearly, or are unable to accurately judge the space and depth of what they are seeing.

• Incontinence: For the first few weeks after a Stroke, patients may experience difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels.

• Sensation: Stroke patients may experience either excessive sensitivity or too little of it. The latter can lead to an inability to feel pain or heat, which could potentially lead to injuries and accidents.

• Foot drop: This is a common effect of nerve damage brought on by a Stroke that makes it hard for the patient to lift the front part of the foot. As a result, the patient may drag their toes while walking or bend at the knee to raise their foot higher.

• Dysphagia: Several patients may experience difficulty swallowing after a stroke. This can potentially be dangerous if food enters the windpipe. Doctors, therefore, will typically only allow patients to resume normal eating and drinking habits after a swallow test. 

• Impaired sexual ability: Muscle weakness, paralysis, and fatigue can affect the patient’s ability and desire to engage in sexual activity.

• Thinking problems: Damage to the brain caused by a Stroke can make it difficult for the patient to make decisions and can also affect memory and behavior. Personality changes may also occur as a consequence. 

• Psychological problems: Patients often experience anxiety, depression, and panic attacks as after-effects of a stroke.

• Increased risk of seizures: Depending on the severity of the stroke and where it occurred, patients may have a higher risk of suffering from a seizure. 

If you are over the age of 65, have a family history of strokes, or have certain medical conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol, you are at an increased risk for Stroke. Your doctor can advise you on the right medication and lifestyle choices to take to guard you against one. And in the event of a Stroke, getting specialized stroke rehabilitation including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy from the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore can take you further and faster along the path to a complete recovery.