A stroke can affect brain function by damaging areas that control voluntary and involuntary activities. The specific effects depend on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected, which can influence movement, language, vision, coordination and other functions.
As you move through your stroke recovery, it can be helpful to consider various aspects of brain biology and how they influence the lingering effects from your stroke. Having this knowledge can help you understand your ongoing post-stroke issues and manage your expectations around them.
Types of Strokes
A stroke can result from a number of different issues. These are the major types of strokes that affect most patients:
- Ischemic: Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, either by atherosclerosis or by a clot in the blood vessel. This is the most common type of stroke.
- Hemorrhagic: Occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing severe bleeding in the brain. These strokes are often caused by aneurysms but may also be due to bleeding disorders or malformed blood vessels.
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Caused by brief interruptions in blood flow to the brain. These incidents are often referred to as “mini-strokes” and produce temporary stroke symptoms.
How Affected Areas of the Brain Influence Post-Stroke Functioning
In addition to the type of stroke you experience, the location of the stroke dictates the types of post-stroke issues that a stroke survivor experiences. For example, strokes in the following areas of the brain will be associated with specific types of functional impairments:
- Frontal lobe: Limitations in executive functioning, such as problem-solving, and personality changes
- Parietal lobe: Language issues (difficulty speaking, writing or reading) and spatial understanding
- Occipital lobe: Vision issues, such as central vision loss or hallucinations
- Cerebellum: Voluntary movement issues like coordination, muscle control and balance difficulties
This is just a small sample of the types of concerns a stroke survivor may encounter. Other factors can influence stroke outcomes too, including the severity of the damage and your level of health prior to the stroke. The affected hemisphere (left brain vs. right brain) can also determine symptoms, as each hemisphere oversees different functions.
Knowledge can be a powerful tool in your stroke recovery. Understanding how your brain has been affected by your stroke will give you a better idea of what to expect from the process and yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or another health provider for any information about brain biology and stroke that might benefit you.