An ischemic stroke occurs when there is a shortage of blood supply to a part or parts of the brain, and an attack often alters physical and mental functions in the body.
In many cases, surviving a stroke means that you will be faced with some challenges. It is vital for friends, family, and survivors to be fully aware of the issues that may arise after an attack so that they can effectively deal with them.
This short article discusses two effects of stroke and some ways survivors can boost recovery and improve their quality of life.
Physical effects of stroke.
Some of the impacts of stroke are loss of mobility and motor skills. The severity depends on the nature of ischemia and the parts of the brain affected. A survivor may not be able to fully control his arms, legs, face, and hands after an attack. Loss of function can severely affect a person’s way of life, and he may find it challenging to perform basic tasks such as walking, eating, or using tools without assistance. Thankfully, with rehabilitation, patients can recover some or all of their lost functions and return to a normal life.
Gait rehabilitation after stroke teaches patients how to walk again, and with a hand rehabilitation robot, affected individuals can perform different hand rehabilitation exercises and other modalities such as mirror therapy and strength training.
Mental effects of stroke.
An attack often takes a toll on one’s mental health. This may be due to the death of brain cells or dealing with the aftermath of the stroke. Depression is one of the mental struggles that stroke patients face. Nearly a third of stroke survivors deal with depression during recovery, and 20% of patients develop depressive disorders. Depression can hinder the progress of rehabilitation and reduce the quality of life.
A depressed individual may have feelings of sadness, and worthlessness, harbor suicidal thoughts, lack concentration, develop unusual sleeping or eating patterns, and have little to no motivation. It is worth noting that some of the symptoms listed may be a result of stroke and not depression.
Mood changes and behavioral problems can also arise after an attack. An affected individual may become more irritable, apathetic, and isolated.
It is crucial to identify such symptoms and seek help when noticed. Friends and families of survivors should be more understanding and empathetic of their situation and provide them with as much care, love and support as they need.
