Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability in the United States.
One misconception about stroke is that it only affects older people. This is not accurate. In fact, as many as ten percent of strokes in the United States are experienced by people who are 45 or younger. There are two main types of stroke. A stroke happens when a blood vessel is clogged or ruptured and cannot supply blood and oxygen to a specific part of the brain.
Health factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, use of illicit drugs, obesity, and poor cardiovascular health increase stroke risk. There are two main types of strokes, ischemic (caused by a blood clot) and hemorrhagic (caused by a ruptured blood vessel). The brain controls many body functions. When a stroke takes place, the part and function of the body that is controlled by the affected brain region won’t work properly. Strokes typically affect the left or right side of the brain. Depending on which side the damage occurred, different behavioral problems will arise.
So, what are the differences between right vs. left-sided strokes in the brain?
Right-sided strokes can result in paralysis and diminished sensation on the left side of the body, memory and cognitive problems, difficulty controlling emotions that result in extreme laughing or crying outbursts. Right-sided strokes can also cause left-sided neglect, or the inability to recognize the left side of the body, vision deficits where both eyes are affected on the left side of the visual field, slurred or dysarthric speech, and anosognosia, or the inability to recognize faces. Swallowing problems may also be observed in strokes that affect the right side of the brain.
The deficits seen in left sided strokes include, but are not limited to, motor speech problems (apraxia), difficulty swallowing, paralysis or weakness on the right side of the body, visual problems where the right visual field of both eyes is affected, and cognitive deficits that affect decision making and analyzing information. Perhaps the most common problem seen in left-hemisphere stroke is known as Aphasia.
Aphasia is a speech and language impairment that can affect all areas of communication.
Aphasia can be severe or mild depending on the size of the stroke and what areas of the brain were affected. So, what can be done to help those that have experienced and survived a stroke? There are many different routes a person can attempt to maximize their recovery from stroke.
Most stroke survivors will benefit from some type of rehabilitation. In some cases that will involve physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Physical and occupational therapies will focus on helping the individual regain strength, flexibility, and movement. Speech therapy would address speech and language, cognitive, and swallowing deficits.
The duration of therapy depends on factors like overall health following the stroke, severity of the stroke, and the individual’s ability and willingness to participate in rehabilitation. The goal of therapy is to help the stroke survivor relearn the skills lost as a result of the stroke and maximize independence and quality of life.
So, what happens after all therapies are completed?
Does that mean that there is no more progress to be made? Is the individual finished regaining function and abilities? The simple answer is: NO! Many scientific studies show that stroke survivors can continue to improve years after their stroke. Physical health will, of course, play a significant role, but all things being equal, recovery can continue. However, recovery will not happen on its own.
Prevention of another stroke by maintaining good physical health will play a key role. Regular check-ups with a physician, proper management of medications, and an active lifestyle all will have a positive impact. Recovery takes work, consistency, dedication, and patience.
Some tools available to help individuals in their continued recovery are support groups. Many areas of the United States have stroke support groups that meet on a regular basis. This type of group can offer helpful insight and practical solutions to help with everyday life, but also provide an opportunity to socialize and receive emotional support from others that have suffered a stroke.
Specifically, Aphasia groups can be a great way for those experiencing communication problems to connect with others. Persons with aphasia can especially struggle with social interactions because of their inability to speak. Often, they become more isolated than those who do not experience this condition as a result of stroke.
There are also many different apps and web-based software programs that address everything from mobility to speech and language. Oftentimes, these programs offer a free trial and are usually moderately priced. However, just like with anything, consistency will be extremely important when using online tools. Another way that recovery can be continued is by adopting a pet. For example, the pet could be a trained service dog.
You might be thinking “well a dog can be a lot of work” but a dog can provide many benefits to a person who has experienced a stroke. A dog can be one of the reasons a person takes walks consistently. A dog also provides many opportunities for both verbal and non-verbal communication and provides constant company. Research studies at universities are also a way to continue to stay engaged, receive free evaluations and/or treatments that address specific problems.
The other great benefit from participating in research studies is that this is an opportunity for those affected by stroke to help others in their same situation. Participation from stroke survivors is key to help researchers continue to learn about stroke prevention, care, and treatment.
The bottom line is that recovery is not static. Recovery from stroke must be ongoing and purposeful to be effective. Recovery can be individualized and not always straightforward. It will take twists and turns and will be frustrating at times. All of those things are normal when anyone is trying to improve. The most important thing is to not stop and to continue persevering.