Lesser Known Side Effects of a Stroke

According to the CDC, approximately 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke every year. Most of these are ischemic strokes, or “brain attacks”, in which blood flow to the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to die. If not addressed early, permanent brain damage or death may occur.

If you have a loved one in or near Colorado Springs that has had a stroke and needs in-home care during their recovery or beyond, let Gentle Shepherd Home Care help. We understand how difficult it can be to find qualified caregivers, which is why we only hire caregivers that we would trust with our own loved ones. We offer a variety of in-home care services, including stroke recovery.

In this article, we’ll explain some of the less recognized side effects of a stroke.

Common Signs of Stroke

If caught early enough, it may be possible to prevent some of the long-term effects of a stroke. Some of the most common signs that your loved one may be having a stroke include:

• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Paralysis/numbness of arms, legs, or face
• Vision difficulties
• Sudden, severe headache
• Difficulty walking

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should call 911 immediately.

Side Effects of Stroke

The effects of a stroke depend on the side of the brain where the stroke occurred.

If the stroke was on the right side of the brain, the left side of the body will be affected, which includes left-side paralysis, vision problems, memory loss, and an inquisitive behavioral style.

If the stroke was on the left side of the brain, the right side of the body will be affected, which includes right-side paralysis, speech/language difficulties, memory loss, and a cautious behavioral style.

Some of the lesser known side effects of stroke include:

Depression/Mood Changes

A stroke can interfere with an individual’s ability to regulate their emotions and often develop depression as a result.

Vision Issues

There are several vision issues that may occur following a stroke. Many times, patients experience more than one of these issues- but not all of them. Partial or full vision loss may occur. In some cases, the patient may experience visual hallucinations, loss of color vision, double vision, blurred vision, or loss of peripheral vision.

Malnutrition

Approximately 20% of patients with acute stroke are found to be malnourished upon admission, and approximately 56% to 61% develop malnutrition during a hospital stay of 3 weeks or more. This is typically due to difficulty swallowing.

Issues Sleeping

Insomnia occurs in approximately 20% to 56% of stroke patients, with approximately 18% of patients reporting new-onset insomnia following their stroke. This is most common in patients who suffer a stroke on the right side of the brain or in the thalamus or brain stem.

Get Your Loved One the Care They Need

If your loved one has had a stroke and lives in or near Colorado Springs, let Gentle Shepherd Home Care help. We offer stroke recovery services including fall reduction, help with planning/preparing nutritious meals, assistance with activities of daily living, help scheduling and getting to medical appointments, medication reminders, and so much more. We also ensure that the family caregiver is getting the support they need to maintain their own physical and emotional well-being.

Schedule your no-obligation care assessment today and let us show you how we can help you and your loved one with in-home care needs.