After a stroke, people can face a number of different cognitive and physical challenges, some of which may persist over a long period of time. Fortunately, many deficits can be alleviated by means of therapy, medication, and the use of innovative apps and other tools to help regain independence and improve quality of life.
Overcoming Muscle Weakness or Paralysis
Hemiparesis, or weakness of one side of the body, is a common sequelae of stroke, other brain injuries, or lack of oxygen in the brain. This condition may affect one half of the face, an arm, a leg, or a combination of these body parts. Although this weakness of the muscles or paralysis can be permanent, physical therapy helps to restore strength, and occupational therapy helps to develop compensatory strategies to tackle activities of daily living.
Addressing Balance and Dizziness
Many stroke survivors report difficulties with keeping their balance and frequent dizziness, including the sensation that the room is spinning. These sensations may persist or come and go.
Physical therapy is the most effective way to address these issues, where physical therapists teach safe balance exercises to practice at home.
Vision Impairments After Stroke
Strokes can cause a variety of vision problems, including:
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Loss of one half of the visual field (hemianopsia)
- Uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus)
- Complete loss of vision
- Dry eyes
Consultating an ophthalmologist and an occupational therapist can help you determine the best strategies for managing these challenges, which may include the use of special prism lenses, sunglasses, eye patches, and eye drops.
Speech, Language, and Communication Challenges
Difficulties with producing and understanding language are among the most significant impacts of a stroke. These issues affect not only the individual, but also the communication with their family and friends. Speech and language therapy can help people with aphasia (i.e., the difficulty to produce or understand language due to brain injury), dysarthria (i.e., the difficulty to articulate words due to weakness n of the facial and oral muscles), or apraxia of speech (i.e., the difficulty to articulate words due to problems with coordinating the movements needed for speech).
Cognitive and Memory Deficits
Stroke survivors often experience changes in cognitive function, such as difficulty with problem solving, memory lapses, or difficulty grasping new concepts. The severity of these deficits varies from person to person. Research has shown that cognitive therapy can significantly help improve memory and processing speed. Important strategies include attention training and the use of compensatory methods such as making lists or using planning tools. Moreover, cognitive training apps like nyra therapy have been found to help improve cognitive functioning after a stroke.
Coping with Neglect
A stroke can cause one side of the body to be “ignored” or seemingly “forgotten”. It’s not that the person with neglect can’t see or feel that side, they just don’t pay attention to it. People with neglect might bump into things on the ignored side, forget to put on a sleeve of a shirt, or fail to respond when someone talks to them from that side. It’s a bit like their brain is only focused on half of what’s in front of them, making daily activities much more challenging. Treatment for neglect often involves care from specialized professionals such as optometrists, neuropsychologists, or therapists to help the person manage this condition effectively.
Managing Post-Stroke Pain
Pain in areas such as shoulders, head, muscles, nerves, joints, lower back, and spine is also common after a stroke. A combination of rest, physical therapy, and medication can relieve these symptoms. Headaches especially require close attention from a doctor.
Fatigue and Sleep Issues
Fatigue is another common problem for stroke survivors, with many reporting excessive sleepiness or an inability to feel rested. Waking up during the night and then having difficulties falling asleep again can severely disrupt a person’s daily life. If you're experiencing these problems, it's important to talk to your doctor, who can offer tests, prescribe insomnia medication, or suggest other management strategies.
Swallowing Difficulties
Problems with swallowing foods and liquids safely, known as dysphagia, are common after a stroke. Although most patients experience improvement within a few weeks, swallowing difficulties can be dangerous (potentially leading to pneumonia if food is aspirated) or even life-threatening if the airway is obstructed. People with dysphagia often need to learn special techniques or textures of food to swallow more safely and avoid these risks. Especially during the early stages of stroke recovery, tube feeding may be required to ensure safe swallowing.
Urinary Challenges
Incontinence and urinary retention are common problems after a stroke. Medical treatment and physical therapy have proven effective in managing these conditions. People with incontinence may feel embarrassed, frustrated, or anxious about the possibility of accidents. Discreet bladder leakage protection products such as men's and women's sanitary pads, disposable underwear and leakage protection undergarments can help you feel safe and more confident in public.
Muscle Atrophy
Muscle weakness (or muscle atrophy) after a stroke may be associated with a lack of physical exercise. Many people who have recently had a stroke need help getting up and walking around in the first few days after the stroke. Likewise, lying in bed for too long can cause muscles to shrink and weaken.
Physical therapy can help prevent muscle atrophy after a stroke. Targeted exercises keep the muscles active and prevent them from shrinking. Sometimes weakened muscles may become stiff and rigid, or start twitching after a stroke. These so-called ”muscle spasms” and stiffness are often painful. They can lead to reduced control of already weakened muscles.
Active rehabilitation after a stroke can reduce these problems. A number of effective medical treatments are available. Physical therapists can show you exercises you can practice at home to prevent and relieve spasticity.
Seizures
After a stroke, some people experience seizures, which are bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Strokes can damage brain cells and disrupt normal brain signals, increasing the risk of seizures. These seizures might happen shortly after a stroke or even months or years later, depending on the location and severity of the brain injury. Having a seizure after a stroke can be scary and concerning, but there are treatments available. Doctors may prescribe medication to help prevent seizures, especially if someone is at a higher risk. Working with healthcare providers to monitor and manage seizures can help reduce their frequency and make daily life safer.
The nyra health website does not provide medical or legal advice. nyra health blog articles are not scientific articles, but are intended for informational purposes only. Medical or health-related information on the nyra health website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a physician or health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
