Depending on the type and location of one’s stroke, the impacts and effects can and will be different. Each stroke is unique and variable, so it is very difficult to predict the possible impacts of it for each individual. It is also important to remember that recovery is possible. Depending on the severity of the stroke, a myriad of impacts is possible, including speech, language, cognition (including attention, memory, executive functioning, etc.), balance, walking, and other activities of daily life. Additionally, as the brain is recovering from an injury, fatigue often accompanies other impacts. One important note to highlight is spontaneous recovery. Spontaneous recovery occurs within the first three months following a stroke. During this period, a patient can spontaneously recover and regain a skill or ability that was originally a deficit immediately following a stroke.
The location of the stroke can help to predict potential deficits or challenges that may impact an individual post-stroke. Below is a short list of possible impacts following a stroke on various locations in the brain.
Left Brain
When a stroke occurs in the left side of the brain, the right side of the body is often impacted. Possible effects could be:
- hemiparalysis or hemiparesis (weakness) on the right side of the body
- speech/language issues
- memory loss
- cautious behavior style
- dysphagia
- vision issues
- Aphasia: a language disorder that may impact the individual’s language input and output (including reading, writing, speaking, and understanding language spoken to them).
- Apraxia of Speech: a disorder that impacts the motor planning skills of an individual when speaking.
Right Brain
When a stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, the left side of the body is often impacted. Possible effects could be:
- hemiparalysis or hemiparesis (weakness) on the left side of the body
- vision issues
- left neglect: a lack of attention or awareness of the left side of the vision
- memory loss
- possible cognition issues
- dysphagia
- lack of awareness
- sudden emotional outbursts
Brainstem
The brainstem is a very important part of one’s brain. It controls many functions that are vital to life, including heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, sleep, and consciousness. Possible effects of a stroke in the brainstem are:
- dysphagia
- paralysis or paresis on both sides of the body
- possible inability to speak/move below the neck