Many aftereffects occur as a result of a stroke. The effects experienced are based on the type of stroke, which area of the brain is affected, the degree of the brain injury and the stroke victim's general health. Most of the symptoms that are seen as a result of a stroke improve over a period of time and sometimes cease completely.
Emotions and Memories
A stroke sometimes occurs in the part of the brain that is responsible for emotions. An injury to this area of the brain can cause the stroke victim to experience mood swings, varying from depression to anger to laughter. Damage to the brain areas that are responsible for long-term or short term-memories can also occur. With long-term memory damage, the stroke victim will not remember events from the past. With short-term memory damage, the stroke victim may not remember proper sequences of events, how to follow directions or how to complete tasks that they have performed numerous times, according to the Internet Stroke Center.
Physical
Involuntary muscle contraction is common following a stroke. This can lead to sudden, spastic movements that are followed by tension and pain. Balance also becomes a problem following a brain injury from stroke. Stroke victims may often fall or bump into things when attempting to walk. Trouble swallowing, known as dysphagia, is also a common effect of a stroke. After a stroke, the muscles on one or both sides of the face become weak. Because it is difficult for the stroke victim to swallow, a decrease in food consumption and an increased risk of choking are seen. Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body is also common. The weakness or paralysis will be seen on the side of the body opposite of which the brain injury occurred. One whole side of the body or just a limb may be affected.
Speech
Many stroke victims find it difficult to understand common speech following a stroke. They also may have a hard time articulating what they are thinking. Although thought process may be normal, the words do not come out normally. This condition is known as aphasia. It is most common with stroke on the left side of the brain. Slurred speech, or dysarthria, is also common. Dysarthria affects pronunciation, quality of the voice, loudness of the voice and the ability to speak normally, according to the American Heart Association.
