Rewiring The Brain To Restore Abilities After Stroke
When you activate neuroplasticity through exercise, you helpyour brain repair lost connections. That not only lets you relearn certainactivities, it also prevents neuronal decay and keeps your condition fromdeteriorating.
Therefore, even if you have suffered a severe stroke, you can still make a functional recovery. Stay disciplined, work hard, and you will see results.
What Does The Left Brain Control
The left hemisphere is responsible for controlling the logic of information processing. Common functions of the left hemisphere include the following:
- Mathematics and sequencing
In a way, the left hemisphere processes information in words and numbers, as opposed to images, as the right hemisphere does. This lends to the common belief that right-brain thinkers are often more creative types, while left-brain thinkers are more analytical and mathematical.
Symptoms Of A Left Side Stroke Of The Brain
Every stroke is different and will affect people differently based on the severity. The left hemisphere of the brain can cause the following 5 symptoms.
The brain is made up of two hemispheres, the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. Each hemisphere is responsible for controlling different functions in our bodies.
Functions of left side vs right side of the brain:
- The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for: logic, language skills, oral function, sequencing, linear thinking, mathematics, critical thinking, and judgement/reasoning.
- The right hemisphere is responsible for: imagination, art, nonverbal cues, visualization, rhythm, and intuition.
Typically, if someone tends to be more creative and artistic, people often refer to them as right-brained thinkers. If someone is more analytical and mathematical, they are usually referred to as left-brained thinkers. Physically the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body.
So the symptoms may differ to the types of the stroke. Check out this post if you want to know more about what are the different types of stroke.
Now that you know what types of strokes are, letâs see what symptoms each stroke has.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Left Hemispheric Stroke
The left hemisphere of your brain controls the right side of your body. It also controls your speech and language abilities. You may have any of the following:
- Trouble swallowing, walking, or remembering
- Paralysis or weakness on the right side of your body
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Falling toward your right side
- Lack of awareness of the right side of your body
- Trouble speaking, reading, writing, or understanding language
- Changes in mood or the ability to pay attention or learn new information
Understanding Injury To The Left Hemisphere
Left hemisphere brain damage can affect a variety of skills including communication, motor function, and executive functions. Often, these skills can be improved by engaging neuroplasticity in the brain. This can be accomplished by participating in rehabilitative therapies and practicing consistent repetitions of targeted exercises and activities.
We hope this article helped you understand the potential outcomes of left hemisphere brain damage and how to improve affected functions.
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Diminished Sensation On The Left Side
After a right-sided stroke, it is possible to have diminished sensation or loss of sensation on the left side of the body. Sometimes paresthesias or pain can develop in the areas of the body that have diminished sensation. This usually begins after weeks, months, or longer.
Sensory disturbances on the left side of the body can occur due to a stroke in the right sensory strip of the cerebral cortex or the right thalamus.
How A Stroke Causes Brain Damage
Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. This can occur suddenly and cause serious damage quickly. Strokes may also prove fatal. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate care.
Many factors contribute to your likelihood of stroke. They include lifestyle risks like smoking and underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythms.
This article describes how a stroke can affect the brain, how these changes lead to the symptoms of a stroke, as well as what to do to lower your stroke risk.
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Symptoms Of Stroke In The Cerebellum And Brainstem
1) Symptoms of a cerebellum stroke
Although strokes are less common in the cerebellum area, the effects can be severe.Common effects of strokes in the cerebellum include:
- Inability to walk and problems with coordination and balance
2) Symptoms of a brainstem stroke
The brainstem is located at the base of the brain right above the spinal cord. Many of the bodys vital life-support functions are controlled by the brainstem. It also helps to control the main nerves involved with eye movement, chewing, and swallowing and maintains the homeostasis.
Examples of functions on brainstem:
- Breathing and heart functions
A stroke in the brainstem can be fatal. Some individuals who survive brainstem strokes are left with Locked-In Syndrome, a rare condition in they cannot make voluntary movements other than with their eyes.
The human nervous system has neuroplasticity. While damaged brain cells will not survive, neurons in intact brain areas continue to expand and change even after the acute incident .
These neurons can take over the information and roles that the damaged area was responsible for, and the body changes accordingly. Neuroplasticity regenerates the brain’s nerves and improves body functions through sensory and motor stimuli from the outside. This is why ongoing rehabilitation is beneficial after a stroke.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Stroke
The symptoms of stroke often happen quickly. They include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you think that you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 right away.
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How Is A Left Hemispheric Stroke Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms and when they started. He or she will ask if you have any medical conditions. You may need any of the following:
- Blood tests may be used to check how well your blood clots or to check your blood sugar level.
- CT or MRI pictures may show where the stroke happened and any damage to your brain. You may be given contrast liquid to help your skull and brain show up better in the pictures. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
- An arteriography is used to take x-rays of your arteries to look for blood flow blockage.
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Left Hemisphere Stroke: Side Effects Treatment & Recovery
Andrew Tran PT, DPT, NCS, CSCS Flint Rehab
After a left hemisphere stroke, you can optimize recovery by understanding the unique side effects that may occur. Although every stroke is different, there are known side effects that individuals are more likely to experience after a stroke on the left side of the brain.
Below, you will learn about these side effects along with rehabilitation methods to help you regain lost function. Lets get started.
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Carotid Angioplasty And Stenting
An alternative, newer form of treatment, carotid angioplasty and stenting , shows some promise in patients who may be at too high risk to undergo surgery. Carotid stenting is a neurointerventional procedure in which a tiny, slender metal-mesh tube is fitted inside the carotid artery to increase the flow of blood blocked by plaques. Access is gained through a small groin incision, but no incision is made in the neck. The stent is inserted following a procedure called angioplasty, in which the doctor guides a balloon-tipped catheter into the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated and pressed against the plaque, flattening it and reopening the artery. The stent acts as scaffolding to prevent the artery from collapsing or from closing up again after the procedure is completed.
There are several potential complications of endovascular treatment. The most serious risk from carotid stenting is an embolism caused by a disrupted plaque particle breaking free from the site. This can block an artery in the brain, causing a stroke. These risks are minimized using small filters called embolic protection devices in conjunction with angioplasty and stenting. There is also a slight risk of stroke due to a loose piece of plaque or a blood clot blocking an artery during or right after surgery. The risks are balanced against the advantages of a shorter occlusion time , shorter anesthesia and a small leg incision.
Tips For Caring For Someone With Left Hemisphere Brain Damage
There are many ways that caregivers can support a loved one as they navigate these newfound challenges. While the areas in which someone may need help will vary, here are a few suggestions:
- Change how you communicate There are many strategies that can both help your loved one understand you, as well as assist them in conveying their own message. A few helpful actions may include:
- Speaking slowly
- Using simple language and short phrases
- Writing down key words
- Making sure you have their attention before speaking
- Limiting interruptions
- Giving your loved one extra time to formulate their message and then speak
- Utilizing alternative ways of communicating
- Asking yes/no questions during communication breakdowns
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How Are Strokes Treated
Treating a stroke depends on many different factors. The most important factor in determining treatment is what kind of stroke a person has.
- Ischemic: With ischemic strokes, the top priority is restoring circulation to affected brain areas. If this happens fast enough, its sometimes possible to prevent permanent damage or at least limit a strokes severity. Restoring circulation usually involves a certain medication type called thrombolytics, but may also involve a catheterization procedure.
- Hemorrhagic: With hemorrhagic strokes, treatment depends on the location and severity of the bleeding. Reducing blood pressure is often the top priority because this will reduce the amount of bleeding and keep it from getting worse. Another treatment option is to improve clotting so the bleeding will stop. Surgery is sometimes necessary to relieve pressure on your brain from accumulated blood.
Andrew Tran PT, DPT, NCS, CSCS Flint Rehab
After a left hemisphere stroke, you can optimize recovery by understanding the unique side effects that may occur. Although every stroke is different, there are known side effects that individuals are more likely to experience after a stroke on the left side of the brain.
Below, you will learn about these side effects along with rehabilitation methods to help you regain lost function. Lets get started.
How Is Left Hemisphere Brain Damage Treated
Individuals with brain damage have been shown to benefit from rehabilitation, including speech-language therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Clinicians can employ evidence-based therapeutic methods to improve and support speech, language, cognitive, and physical abilities that may have been impacted post-injury. These therapies can enable patients to live more functionally and independently within their communities.
The other great news is that the brain has amazing abilities to heal and compensate for damage. Neuroimaging studies have proven that our brains are plastic, meaning that they can change the way they work. Weve seen evidence of different parts of the brain taking over for damaged parts even areas of the brain in the opposite hemisphere! Check out our blog post on the 10 principles of neuroplasticity to learn more.
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Problems That Occur After A Stroke
There are many problems that may happen after a stroke. Most are common and will improve with time and rehabilitation.
Common physical conditions after a stroke include:
- Weakness, paralysis, and problems with balance or coordination.
- Pain, numbness, or burning and tingling sensations.
- Fatigue, which may continue after you return home.
- Inattention to one side of the body, also known as neglect in extreme cases, you may not be aware of your arm or leg.
- Urinary or bowel incontinence.
- Speech problems or difficulty understanding speech, reading, or writing.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Memory problems, poor attention span, or difficulty solving problems.
- Visual problems.
- Depression, anxiety, or mood swings with emotional outbursts.
- Difficulty recognizing limitations caused by the stroke.
Medications And Medical Conditions
Birth control pills can increase your risk of an ischemic stroke. Medications that thin the blood can increase your risk of hemorrhagic stroke. These include:
Sometimes blood thinners are prescribed to decrease the risk of ischemic stroke if your doctor feels youre at high risk. However, this can also increase your risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.
Pregnancy and certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of stroke. These conditions include:
- heart and vascular problems
- conditions that cause excessive bleeding, such as low platelets and hemophilia
- treatment with medications known as thrombolytics
- a history of aneurysms or vascular abnormalities in the brain
- polycystic ovarian syndrome , as its associated with aneurysms in the brain
Adults over age 65 are at the greatest risk of stroke, especially if they:
- have high blood pressure
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Resources And Support For Managing Strokes
If you are looking for more information on strokes or have a specific question, our information specialists are available business weekdays, Monday through Friday, toll-free at 800-539-7309 from 9am to 8pm ET.
Additionally, the Reeve Foundation maintains a fact sheet on how to support individuals living with a stroke with additional resources from trusted Reeve Foundation sources. Check out our repository of fact sheets on hundreds of topics ranging from state resources to secondary complications of paralysis.We encourage you to reach out to stroke support groups and organizations, including:
Be sure to check with the above national organizations for chapters and resources in your local community.
What Is Controlled By The Left Side Of The Brain
Some people call the left hemisphere the language hub of the brain. It is not hard to see where this name came from, because this part of the brain plays a significant role in our ability to use and understand language, including reading and writing. We also rely on the left hemisphere to help us speak, solve problems, make computations, and move the right side of our body, since each hemisphere of the brain controls movement on the opposite side of the body.
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Hemiplegia On The Left Side
Hemiplegia is paralysis on one side of the body. A right-sided stroke can cause hemiplegia of the whole left side of the body.
More commonly, this type of stroke causes left-side hemiparesis, which is diminished strength, without total paralysis. It usually affects only the face, arm, or legnot necessarily the whole left side.
Sometimes, months or years after the stroke, spasticity can develop in the weak muscles. This occurs when a stroke affects the right motor strip of the cerebral cortex or the right internal capsule .
What Is A Stroke
A stroke occurs when the supply of blood in the brain becomes compromised. This can happen by either a blood clot obstructing an artery and stopping blood flow to an area of the brain or an artery in the brain bursting and leading to bleeding inside the brain .
During a stroke, the affected areas of the brain do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, brain tissue begins to die. Depending on the area of the brain affected by stroke, this damage will cause changes in certain sensory, motor, or cognitive functions.
Although its impossible to revive dead brain cells, recoveryis possible through neuroplasticity.This process allows healthy parts of the brain to take over the functionsdamaged by stroke.
The goal of stroke rehabilitation is to restore or compensate for the secondary effects sustained to your highest potential. These effects vary from person to person based on the size and location of the stroke.
Next, we will discuss the different areas of the brainaffected by stroke so that you can better understand what to expect.
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What Are The Symptoms
Stroke symptoms may occur alone or in combination and may last a few minutes or several hours. If you or someone around you notices one or more of these warning signs, seek immediate medical attention. Poor public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors limits effective stroke intervention and prevention. Even if stroke symptoms disappear, they are a clear warning that a larger stroke may follow.
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body
- Difficulty speaking or understanding language
- Sudden, severe headache
- Unexplained loss of balance or dizziness
If you notice signs of a stroke, think âFASTâ and do the following:
- Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Or is one arm unable to raise up?
- Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred or strange?
- Time. If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately. Note the time when symptoms first started.
Transient Ischemic Attacks Sometimes strokes are preceded by mini-strokes, called transient ischemic attacks , which last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. TIAs occur when blood flow to the brain is temporarily interrupted and then restored. The symptoms resolve completely and the person returns to normal. TIAs are an important warning sign. It is possible to have several TIAs before a larger stroke occurs.
