Also known as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
Stroke also occurs when the blood vessels in the brain rupture.
A stroke on the left side of the brain is likely to cause speech problems and a slow, cautious behavioral style
A stroke on the right side of the brain is more likely to cause vision problems and result in a quick, inquisitive behavioral style
A stroke in the brain stem is the most severe, causing significant paralysis and speech issues
Memory loss and motor skill paralysis are common symptoms regardless of where the stroke occurs in the brain.
Common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms following a stroke include:
Muscle weakness
Trouble walking
Trouble grasping objects
Joint pain and rigidity
Muscle stiffness or spasms
Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs
Incontinence
Vision issues
An altered sense of touch – such as the ability to feel hot and cold
Chronic pain syndromes resulting from damage to the nervous system
Trouble coordinating body movements
Difficulty swallowing and eating
Problems with perception such as judging distances
Speech and language problems – as in processing and/or communicating information (also known as Aphasia)
Cognitive challenges – memory loss, trouble focusing and remembering
Emotional distress – fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, frustration
Depression – afflicting 30-50% of stroke survivors and leading to lethargy, sleep disturbances, lowered self-esteem, and withdrawal
Fortunately, damaged brain cells are not beyond repair. They can regenerate — this process of creating new cells is called neurogenesis. The most rapid recovery usually occurs during the first three to four months after a stroke. However, recovery can continue well into the first and second year.
Author
Edmond Osei Agyapong
Vice President of Ghana Herbal Medical Student’s Association
KNUST
