During a stroke, blood flow suddenly fails in a portion of the brain and brain cells quickly begin to die. By definition, strokes damage brain tissue and lead to temporary or permanent neurological complications. According to the Merck Manual, in Western countries, stroke is the most common cause of nerve-related disability and the third most common cause of death. The nature of the complications after a stroke depends on the part of the brain involved and how long the blood supply was compromised.
Muscle Function
Stroke victims often suffer paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, conditions called hemiplegia and hemiparesis, respectively. They might need help with daily activities such as getting out of bed, bathing and using the toilet, dressing and feeding themselves. Lack of movement brings on a host of other problems. According to the Merck Manual, muscles lose tone and the likelihood of pressure ulcers (bed sores) and blood clots increases.
When nerves controlling the muscles in the mouth and throat fall victim to stroke, the patient has difficulty talking, chewing and swallowing. The formerly simple act of eating becomes difficult and dangerous because of the risk that food will go into breathing tubes.
Pain
After a stroke, the survivor might experience a range of odd and unpleasant sensations. The condition is called central pain syndrome or central stroke pain. Areas paralyzed or left numb from the stroke will often tingle uncomfortably. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that hands and feet experience the most severe pain, and movement or change in temperature, especially cold, can worsen the pain.
Brain Function
In addition to suffering problems with the muscles for speech, stroke survivors often have aphasia, a condition in which the brain cannot get the words from the speech center to the vocal cords. With extensive brain damage, the stroke survivor might have problems with memory, learning and problem solving as well. According to the Merck Manual, stroke survivors often have difficulty sleeping, which worsens confusion and other cognitive symptoms.
Emotional Problems
Stroke survivors might behave inappropriately because of difficulty with expressing or controlling their emotions. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that many stroke survivors experience depression, leading the patient to become become withdrawn and less social.
Another Stroke
People who survive a stroke have a high risk of having another. According to the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 25 percent of stroke survivors have another stroke within 5 years.
