Stroke Complications

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted. This restricts the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain; the tissue begins to die within minutes. A stroke can result in many complications; these complications can be due to the actual brain injury or to changes in your ability to do certain things. Which complications you experience and how severely they will affect you will depend on which parts of your brain were affected and the extent of damage.

Paralysis and Impaired Muscle Movement

• Sometimes, a stroke can affect the parts of your brain that control movement. You might experience paralysis on one side of your body or lose control of certain muscles. Depending on the severity, physical therapy might improve your condition.

Eating, Talking and Swallowing

• You might experience difficulty controlling your mouth muscles, which causes problems speaking, eating and swallowing. Strokes can cause aphasia, a condition that interferes with the ability to express yourself verbally; you might have trouble putting thoughts together or forget words. Working with a speech therapist can help you deal with aphasia.

Mental Faculties

• Memory loss is a common occurrence after a stroke. This can improve to varying degrees depending on the extent of damage. You might also experience confusion or trouble grasping concepts. Certain rehabilitation therapies might help you improve.

Pain

• You might experience pain or other uncomfortable sensations in the parts of your body affected by the stroke. For example, if damage is to the right side of your brain, you might experience unpleasant feelings on the left side of your body. You can become sensitive to temperature changes, especially when it is very cold.

  All of these complications are referred to as central pain syndrome (CPS). It can improve over time but since it is the result of a brain injury and not a physical one, there is really no way to treat it.

Physical Complications

• If you have had a stroke, certain physical complications can arise. You might experience brain edema (swelling of the brain) and seizures. If your mobilitiy is limited, bed sores can appear; deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) is another side effect of immobility. Lack of exercise or limited range of motion can shorten the muscles in your arms and legs. If you lose the ability to move your arm, your shoulder lacks proper support, resulting in pain. Urinary tract infections and impaired bladder function are also possible.

Personal Changes

• A stroke can cause changes in your personality, mood and temperament. These changes can be temporary, permanent or stay with you to some degree as you recover. Depression is also possible; a stroke can cause major life changes and it can be difficult to accept your new reality. Depending on the severity of your stroke, you can lose the ability to care for yourself properly and will need someone to help you with everyday tasks.

Recovery and Support

• Recovering from your stroke can be mentally and physically challenging. You will probably experience a range of emotions. While the amount of brain damage and how long and intense any therapies you undertake are major factors in recovery, your attitude and actions are also important. What you have experienced in life, how you cope with adversity and your personality will also influence rehabilitation. Strong motivation to get better is important. Although some of your complications might be permanent, you have a chance of resuming some degree of normalcy in your life.

  If you are close to someone who has had a stroke, it is important to offer support and companionship. Be sure to stay in touch with the person. She probably needs you and might feel uncomfortable reaching out or might not even be able to.

  Here are some suggestions for communicating with someone who is recovering from a stroke. Talk to her directly and like an adult. You can still use your normal tone of voice unless her hearing has been directly affected. Do not speak too quickly, give her time to process what you said and speak about one topic at a time. Conversation involving just the two of you or a small group of people might be best.