The effects from a stroke vary from total recovery to permanent long-term disability. If your parent is suffering from some of the after-effects associated with this disease, know that they are not alone. Strokes affect more than 795,000 people in the United States every year.
Movement
Damage to the part of the brain that is responsible for movement, balance and coordination is fairly common. This can lead to paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. It can affect the whole side or only part of the body such as the face, arm or leg.
Dysphagia results from paralysis of the muscles in the throat and leads to difficulty swallowing. This is a common symptom that causes difficulty eating, drinking, taking medication and sometimes breathing. It is a condition that usually improves with time.
Drop foot can occur due to weakness of muscles in the foot. As a result, the person is unable to lift the top of one or both of their feet.
Pain
More than half of those who have experienced a stroke also experience post-stroke pain. Pain is often felt in the joints. Another type of pain that occurs with those who have experienced a stroke is central pain which is due to the brain registering minimal touch as painful. This can cause anything from the wind to a particle of clothing to the sheet on a bed to produce discomfort in the affected area.
Speech
Aphasia, or trouble speaking and/or difficulty understanding the spoken or written word is a fairly common condition following a stroke. Weakness or paralysis of the muscles associated with speech can also lead to slurred speech.
Thinking
A stroke may cause problems with thinking, reasoning, awareness, attention, learning and judgment. Memory loss is also common. This can result in a wide range of symptoms from loss of memory regarding recent events to dementia.
The Future
If your parent has experienced the effects of a stroke, they may be fearful of what lies ahead and their possible loss of independence. In many cases, with regular rehabilitation and time, the damage resulting from a stroke will improve. A rehabilitation therapist can help your parent function at their peak with the new challenges they face.
Home Care Provider
A home care provider can assist your parent with the daily activities of life. They can prepare meals and provide transportation to appointments. They can provide companionship and care as your parent progresses through the cycles of stroke recovery.
If you are considering hiring home care in Loudonville, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
http://www.stroke.org/we-can-help/survivors/stroke-recovery/post-stroke-conditions/physical/pain
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