What to Expect After a Stroke

A stroke can affect people in different ways. The severity of the stroke, what areas of the brain were affected, what type--ischemic or hemorrhagic--and to what extent the brain was injured all play a part in stroke recovery. In many cases, someone that has had a stroke can regain full function and lead a normal life.

Emotions

• A stroke often affects emotions in a negative way. The brain controls our senses that allow us to see, hear, taste and smell. If this part of the brain is injured during a stroke, then the person affected may not be able to control their emotions. A victim of a stroke may cry suddenly or may battle depression.

Speech

• A stroke may cause the person to have difficulty speaking, or communicating what they are thinking to others. This is known as aphasia, and is most common with left-brain strokes. A stroke can also affect the muscles that are used for talking. This is called dysarthria, and can cause slowed or slurred speech. A speech therapist can often help these people regain their ability to speak clearly.

Memory

• Memory is often affected during a stroke. Some people have troubled concentrating, lose focus, and may become forgetful. This can make it difficult for stroke survivors to complete normal daily tasks.

Loss of Mobility

• Perhaps one of the most common effects of a stroke is the loss of mobility that can occur on one side of the body. A stroke that affects the right side of the brain can result in a loss of mobility of the left side of the body. Stroke survivors may also ignore their weaker side, causing it to become even weaker, due to disuse.

Potential

• It is possible to live a full life after a stroke, with the correct medical care. It is important to remember that many of the effects of a stroke improve over time.