Healthy Heart
It is quite common to have difficulty in remembering new information after a stroke. This makes it harder to learn new ways of coping with dressing and other activities of daily living. There may be the loss of the ability, to remember pieces of information in sequence, like all the … What is Memory and concentrationRead more
A loss of emotional control is quite common, laughing and smiling one moment and in tears and sobbing the next. Tears may be the result of some happy emotion, like listening to a great piece of music, or they may have no apparent cause at all. Some people may get … What is Tearfulness, depression and insomniaRead more
Some people have a loss of the field of vision on the same side as the paralysis. This is rather like wearing goggles with masking tape over either the right or left side of each lens. These people will tend to bump into furniture and be unable to find objects … What is Visual problems, loss of feeling and neglectRead more
Some areas of the brain are concerned with personality, behaviour and an awareness of the environment in which we live. When these brain cells are damaged by a stroke the patient may behave differently and will no longer respond to the environment in the same way as before. This will … What is Perceptual problems and changed personalityRead more
Many of the disorders that can occur as the result of a stroke are described here. Few people will experience many of them and some disorders will spontaneously recover after quite a short time. They are included here to help relatives and friends understand when the patient is behaving in … What is Special problemsRead more
There are different forms and degrees of speech and language disorder. There may be an inability to control the tongue, lips or throat (dysarthria) or a difficulty in recognising words, finding the right word or putting words in order (dysphasia) in which case reading and writing will also be affected. … What is Speaking, reading and writingRead more
Many everyday activities are carried out with one hand while the other hand holds the work steady. There are many ways of stabilising objects such as putting a weight on top or non-slip material underneath. But it is better to involve the affected hand as much as possible even if … What is Using both handsRead more
Spasticity in the affected arm and leg, that is, tightening in the bent position, is a problem for many people after a stroke. This can be brought on by effort, anxiety and fatigue. It is often worse at the end of the day. Spasm can be prevented to some extent … What is Coping with spasmRead more
Someone who has had a stroke is likely to tire easily and may need frequent short rests and perhaps an afternoon nap. Deciding on priorities and concentrating energy on those activities that are most interesting or rewarding will help. If struggling to dress independently is so tiring that the patient … What is TirednessRead more
Any treatment the family doctor advises for high blood pressure or for too much fat in the blood-stream must be strictly observed, and alcoholic drinks should be taken only with caution and well-diluted, as their action may be enhanced by the effects of the stroke. Weight should be kept down … What is Medical careRead more