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A stroke occurs when blood is not able to reach part of the brain, damaging the cells in the affected area. After the stroke, the performance of behaviors or tasks previously controlled by the affected area may be impaired. Immediate medical attention is required!
What are the warning signs of stroke?
A stroke usually occurs very suddenly and may be accompanied by:
- Numbness or weakness in part of the body (usually the face, arm, and/or leg), often confined to one side of the body
- Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding
- Visual problems in one or both eyes
- Lack of coordination or balance, dizziness, trouble walking
- Severe headache
What are the risk factors for stroke?
Cholesterol disorders, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity are risk factors for stroke. However, some individuals who are not at high risk can still suffer a stroke.
What are some of the after effects that people experience following a stroke?
Stroke and its after effects vary across individuals. In general, the most commonly reported and observed effects include physical, communication, and behavioral disruptions. Stroke can result in problems with balance, excessive pain, spasticity, one-sided paralysis or weakness, swallowing, processing language, generating language, reading, depression, and visual spatial neglect.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is an impairment of language that affects the comprehension and production of spoken language and written words. Aphasia usually affects other means of communicating such as sign language, as well, because it is the communication areas of the brain and not the speaking or hearing apparatus that is impaired.
What is spatial neglect?
Spatial neglect is the failure to attend, report, orient, or respond to stimuli presented on the side opposite the brain lesion, when associated with functional disability. For example, individuals with spatial neglect may dress only one half of their body or eat food from one half of the plate.
What is amnesia? What is dementia?
Amnesia means that memory, or the ability to access stored knowledge, is abnormal. Dementia means that other thinking abilities (such as the ability to organize activities, or use numbers, or pay attention, or estimate distances) are also impaired, and usually means that the problem is progressively getting worse over time. Although Alzheimer Disease and similar disorders of brain metabolism may cause dementia, stroke is also a common cause.
What is the recovery process for someone who has had a stroke?
Quality care is integral to the stroke recovery process. Rehabilitation therapy is an important part of this recovery process. It is extremely valuable in assisting individuals with adaptation to the disabling conditions associated with stroke and working towards their improvement. While some of the after effects of a stroke persist many show improvement over time. Some individuals require the assistance of a caregiver while others maintain an independent life style. Additionally, many individuals and their families benefit from support groups.
Can I participate in the research being done at KMRREC?
We are always in need of volunteers to participate in our research. We often invite individuals who have suffered from stroke to participate as well as healthy individuals. We do conduct a prescreening and initial assessment to determine eligibility to participate in the study. Participants are reimbursed $30 for their travel and miscellaneous costs. Please contact the Stroke Lab at 1-800-248-3221 (ext. 3569) if you are interested.
I am scheduled to participate in one of your research studies. What should I bring with me?
It is very helpful if you can collect any copies of information about your medical history, bring the actual bottles containing all of your current medications, and bring copies of any brain scans (CT or MRI scans) you may have had in the past.
Please be sure to wear your glasses or hearing aid, if you use them, on the day of the appointment. Please also bring the name, address and telephone number of your primary care doctor, and let us know if you have any special needs so that we can make the best allowances for your comfort.
I am a caregiver. Are there any online resources that can help me? Please refer to the links in the section “Stroke information on the web”. Many of these provide a list of regional-specific resources that are available to assist caregivers.
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