Physical Effects of a Stroke

Since your brain is responsible for sending impulses through your nervous system to tell your muscles to work, some physical impairment after a stroke is a strong possibility. The physical effects of a stroke can range from slight weakness or imbalance to a complete paralysis. Some of the physical effects of a stroke follow.

Decreased mobility

The left side of your brain controls movement on the right side of your body, so if your stroke occurred in the left hemisphere, your right side will be impaired. The same is true on the right side of your brain: a stroke on the right will result in impairment on the left side of your body. Some return of function to affected muscles can occur all on its own, but typically therapy will be necessary to assist with recovery.

Neglect

As a result of a stroke some people ignore or neglect parts of their body that have been damaged. This means that they, in essence, forget about this part of their body. Survivors need to have therapy to assist with identification of this problem and ways to overcome it so they can move and accomplish everyday tasks.

Balance and movement

The cerebellum controls many of our reflexes, as well as much of our balance and coordination. If the stroke occurs in the cerebellum, the survivor may experience the following:

• Coordination and balance problems
• Abnormal reflexes of the head and torso
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting

Spasticity

Stroke sometimes causes muscles to involuntarily contract (shorten or flex) when you try to move your limb, creating stiffness and tightness. When a muscle can't complete its full range of motion, the tendons and soft tissue surrounding it can become tight. This makes stretching the muscle much more difficult. Spasticity in the arm can cause a tight fist, bent elbow and arm pressed against the chest. Spasticity in the leg may cause a stiff knee, pointed foot and curling of the toes.

Drop foot

Damage to some motor neurons may cause the survivor to drag their toe on the floor rather than lifting it. The foot may be slapped down rather on the floor or walk on the heel of the affected foot.

Involuntary functions

The brain stem is the area of the brain that controls all of our involuntary, "life-support" functions, such as breathing rate, blood pressure and heartbeat. The brain stem also controls abilities such as eye movements, hearing, speech and swallowing. When the stroke occurs in the brain stem, the survivor may have deficits in any or all of these functions and can be paralyzed in one or both sides of the body.