A stroke occurs when part of the brain is damaged due to a decrease in oxygen supply. This can happen when a blood vessel bursts or when a clot forms in a blood vessel that supplies the brain tissue. According to MayoClinic.com, the lasting effects of a stroke depend on where the damage takes place and how severe the damage is.
Movement Difficulties
Many types of strokes affect how a person can move, usually on the opposite side of the body. According to the National Stroke Association, a left hemisphere stroke may affect movement on the right side of the body while a right hemisphere stroke affects movement on the left. This impaired movement can range from complete paralysis on the affected side to minor weakness. A stroke can also affect the quality of movement, such as coordination or fine motor control.
Speech Problems
The muscles of the face may also be affected by a stroke. This can cause difficulties forming speech, due to weakness or poor coordination in the mouth and tongue. Other speech problems may be present when a stroke affects the language centers in the brain. After a left hemisphere stroke, a person may become aphasic, or have difficulty expressing or understanding words spoken to them. Some people lose the ability to speak or understand speech altogether.
Difficulty With Swallowing
The muscles of the face and mouth affect swallowing as well. A brain stem stroke can cause problems with the act of swallowing. Some people may require an altered diet and some may benefit from a temporary or permanent feeding tube to reduce the risk of choking.
Cognitive Problems
Depending on the area of the brain being affected, a stroke may also make the process of thinking and solving problems more challenging. Memory loss and confusion are among the common side effects of a stroke. Some people may have difficulties reasoning or making good judgment calls. After a stroke, people may become more impulsive and may act without thinking things through. Attention span may also be affected. Depending on the degree of damage in the brain, some cognitive problems may resolve with time, but others may remain long-term.
Visual Impairments
A stroke that occurs in the visual centers of the brain, or in the right hemisphere, can affect a person's vision. The National Stroke Association reports that a person may be unable to decipher one side of the visual field. Additionally, spatial relationships may be affected, and the person may have difficulty judging distance or performing tasks that require hand-eye coordination. Some people experience double vision after a stroke.
Breathing Difficulties
A brain stem stroke can be particularly devastating, as it affects the vital signs: breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Some people may require life support, including the use of a ventilator, temporarily or permanently following a brain stem stroke.
