When circulation to a part of the brain is interrupted by bleeding or a blood clot, nerve tissue dies and the body loses function. A stroke on the right side of the brain affects the left side of the body and vice versa. As swelling subsides around the injured area, recovery is possible, even without much treatment. However, by the end of the first year, a plateau is reached, and progress may be much slower. While the brain's ability to recover is remarkable, improvements depend on willingness, hard work and proper guidance.
Movement
Following a stroke, the blood pressure and pulse must be monitored to prevent a recurrence. A major symptom of stroke is one-sided paralysis, or hemiplegia. Physical therapist Peter Levine, author of "Stronger After Stroke," lists the stages of recovery, beginning with flaccid muscles, then slight, marked and declining spasticity. This is followed by some degree of voluntary control, and, finally, normal movement is regained, with remnants of spasticity during rapid or tiring movements. A mirror provides essential feedback for therapy sessions. Levine adds that the hand is the most unpredictable and the last to regain normal movement.
Problems chewing and swallowing food due to weak muscles on one side of the mouth can increase the risk of choking. A stroke survivor may need assistance with eating. Speech may be slurred or distorted, making stroke survivors difficult to understand. A speech therapist can help guide recovery. According to Levine, making exaggerated mouth movements can improve clarity and audio taping speech can provide valuable feedback for practice sessions.
Emotions
After a stroke, emotional lability may cause laughter or crying to burst out of the patient for no apparent reason. With such symptoms, survivors may isolate from social gatherings, such as church services or going to movies, so they do not disturb others and do not expose themselves to embarrassment. Frustration and depression are common reactions to stroke-related impairments. The patience of others may inspire survivors to have patience with themselves. Above all, they need encouragement to keep trying. The brain can develop new pathways around injured areas. Levine points to research that suggests recovery can occur even decades after a stroke.
Communication
Stroke survivors may be aphasic, a condition that affects the ability to talk, listen, read and write. It is most common after a stroke on the left side of the brain. Levine uses a technique called Musical Intonation Therapy, based on the fact that musical language originates in another part of the brain than spoken language. It is possible that a person who cannot speak may be able to sing words normally. Levine reports success using this process to jump-start the brain to rewire and restore normal speech.
A stroke victim may have poor short-term memory, while long-term memories remain intact. Even simple activities may be hard to plan and carry out. Survivors may forget how to do familiar tasks. Levine suggests that a diet rich in good fats, such as extra virgin olive oil, coldwater fish oils, walnuts and flaxseed, can preserve the function of some neurotransmitters involved in memory.
References
- American Heart Association: Stroke Effects
- "Stronger After Stroke"; Peter G. Levine; 2008
