A stroke occurs when the blood flow to part of the brain is suddenly stopped causing damage to the brain cells that are deprived of the circulation.
The brain is loosely divided into many areas and each have a specific job to do. There are some areas that help us talk; areas that help us feel and move and other areas that help us think in an organized way. Each area of the brain has its own blood supply.
The blood flow can be interrupted due to a blockage. This is commonly a blood clot getting stuck in the tube (arteries) that carries the blood around the brain. The other type of blockage can be caused by the tubes becoming thicker due to disease. This gradually gets so thick it stops the blood flowing properly.
The blood supply then cannot bring oxygen and food to the brain tissue, so damage or death of some brain cells occurs.
The less common type of stroke is where blood bursts through the walls of an artery and leaks, either on the surface or into the brain. This can be as a result of disease weakening the artery wall or that a person was born with weak arteries.
The body tries to compensate for this lack of blood supply by sending the blood through other vessels to try to minimize the tissue damage.
Getting medical help as soon as possible is critical to minimize other brain tissue damage.
A person may be affected in many ways following a stroke. This will depend firstly on which side of the brain has been affected. The left side of our brain controls our speech; understanding people and the right side of our body. The right side of our brain controls the left side of our body, how we swallow and eat.
Many different clinicians are involved in a person’s rehabilitation. Speech and language Therapists deal with a person’s communication issues; Occupational Therapists help people with everyday activities and a Neurophysiotherapist will assist with regaining movement and balance. This is a gradual process and will continue for months after the stroke.
It is always important to remember that the whole person is affected by the stroke, not just the side that may have limited movement. Rehabilitation will always involve improving a persons overall fitness as well as specifically working on arm, hand and leg movements. Much work can be undertaken by the person and their relatives as part of daily routines to increase this progress.
For more detailed information contact the local Stroke Foundation or Lynda Wheeler.