HOW STROKE AFFECTS PEOPLE - Each Stroke is Different Depending on Which Part of the Brain is Injured. - Health - http://maxpages.com/resurrection/STROKE

1. Paralysis of one side of the body, or just the arm, or the leg, includes weakness, which can be very subtle or painfully obvious.
2. Problems with balance or coordination, making it hard for a person to walk, talk, sit, stand or walk.
THE FIRST STEPS TO RECOVERY

The home can be an ideal setting for recovery from aphasia. It may supply much that a hospital lacks in warmth, understanding, familiar surroundings, a helpful family. All these give firm support to an aphasic person as he struggles to get well.

The task of recovery is a difficult one. Those helping an aphasic individual need all the aid and guidance they can get, but it is not an impossible task. Many people with aphasia have learned to talk, read, and write again with the assistance of families, friends, doctors and therapists.

In general, the best way the family can help its aphasic member is to offer stimulating and understanding companionship. Experience indicates that this kind of companionship is vital to recovery. If patients are continually left by themselves, their progress in language falters and may stop altogether. Then they are apt to withdraw further behind their fences and grow even more anxious and depressed.

In the long run, It is the individual's own motivation and drive to get well that brings about his recovery. The stimulation of an understanding companionship is the means which arouses him to make an effort. A family does not require professional knowledge about aphasia to provide this, but thoughtful planning is necessary.

Seek Good Professional Assistance.

Look at your own feelings.

Spend time when patient is most responsive.

Accept him as he is at the moment.

Use every opportunity to increase his independence.

Include him in family affairs.

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Problems Understanding Reality

1. A person may have Aphasia and Dysarthria, trouble understanding speech or writing. Or, the person may understand but may not be able to think of the words to speak or write.
2. Neglct or inattention may be occuring wherein the victim will not turn to look toward the weaker, affected side or even eat food from that side of the plate.
3. Problems with memory, thinking, attention, or learning, (cognitive problems).
4. Being unaware of the effects of stroke. The person may show poor judgement by trying to do things that are unsafe.
5. Sudden bursts of emotion such as laughing, crying, or anger. This clearly indicates the poor soul needs help understanding.
6. Depression. Common in people who have had strkes. It can begin soon after the stroke or even weeks later, and family members notice it first. It is vital to attack this as soon as it becomes apparent because if left unchallenged it is truly the barricade to recovery.

The physical problems.

1. Pain, numbness, or odd sensations.These make it difficult for the victim to relax and feel comfortable.
2. Trouble swallowing. Care must be taken to prevent the person from breathing in food, (i still have problems with this one),
3. Problems with bowel or bladder control. This can be helped with the use of portable urinals, bedpans.

Energy

1. Getting tired very quickly. Becoming tired may limit the persons participation and performance in a rehabilitation program.
2. It is extremely frustrating for a person who used to be high energy come to terms with running out of steam before much of anything has been accomplishing that day.
An expected response after a stroke is depression, and it should be treated quickly if longer than 2 weeks. The symptoms include,
1. Loss of interest in things the person used to enjoy.
2. Feeling slowed down and restless.
3. Feeling worthless or guilty.
4. Increase or decrease in appetite or weight.
5.Problems in concentration, thinking, remembering or making decisions.
6. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
7. Feeling tired all the time.
8.Headaches, digestive problems.
9. Sexual problems.
10. Feeling hopeless, pessimistic.
11. Thoughts of death or suicide, (very common and not
always noticed by family). Professional help should be pursued immediatly.

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Page Updated Sun Mar 9, 2003 11:34am EST