In an instant, a stroke can wipe away a lifetime of memories, abilities and comprehension of the world. Also known as brain attack, a stroke occurs when the brain is robbed of the flow of blood, either through blockage or a bursting blood vessel in the brain. Due to the complexity of the human brain, different kinds of brain damage can result in different effects on thinking, emotions and other aspects of consciousness, as well as the more commonly known effects of partial body paralysis.
Immediate Effects on Consciousness
Stroke is considered a major medical emergency. Knowing the warning signs of stroke can make a difference between life and death. Arriving at a hospital within 60 minutes of the first conscious effects of stroke greatly reduces the chance of permanent disability. According to the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, these signs include "sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech," as well as sudden problems with balance and sight, or feeling numbness in the face. Stroke can also cause sudden loss of consciousness.
Left Hemisphere Stroke Effects
The left hemisphere controls language and reasoning abilities. When a bad stroke has been suffered, these abilities may be obliterated, resulting in a condition called aphasia.
The American Heart Association reports in its online guide to stroke effects that aphasia makes it difficult for stroke survivors to understand what is being said to them, but they may have no problems with writing or reading. Left hemisphere strokes also can make difficult those everyday complex actions that require following steps in logical order, such as tying shoes or cooking a meal.
Right Hemisphere Stroke Effects
When the right hemisphere of the brain's cerebrum is damaged, parts of the brain involved with spatial awareness may be forever compromised. The danger here includes driving vehicles and operating equipment that the stroke survivor formerly had no problem doing, according to the National Stroke Association's report of stroke effects. Some stroke survivors may also have impaired short-term memory access, meaning that they have trouble remembering events that happened only a few minutes ago.
Cerebellar Stroke Effects
The cerebellum underlies and connects the two hemispheres of the brain. A stroke in this region of the brain has devastating effects on the brain's regulation of balance and motor functions. The long-term effects felt by the sufferer include dizziness, nausea, and frequent headaches. This condition can lead to frequent falls. In fact, the American Stroke Association reports in an article titled "Keeping Your Balance" that over 40% of survivors have a bad fall within the first year after the stroke. Constant dizziness, called vertigo, creates frustration and difficulty in maintaining independence, but patients can work to improve balance over time by learning how to use vision to create reference points.
Brain Stem Stroke Effects
Brain stem strokes may be the most fatal of all strokes, as the brain stem controls many bodily functions crucial to survival, such as breathing, swallowing and heart functions. As with cerebrum strokes, communication and speech may be affected, leading to communication difficulty. Clinical depression is quite common in stroke survivors, according to the factsheet on "Post-Stroke Rehabilitation" published by the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, but rehabilitation and participating in community activities can vastly improve quality of life.
References
- "National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What You Need to Know About Stroke."
- "National Stroke Association: Effects of Stroke."
- "American Heart Association: Stroke Effects."
- "American Stroke Association: Keeping Your Balance."
- "National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Fact Sheet"
