Can Stroke Affect Your Cognitive Functions?

Stroke can affect the way your brain understands, organizes, and stores information. There are various ways how a stroke can affect your cognition. However, some cognitive problems are not easy to identify, and some might only be noticeable after you return home. 

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is sometimes called a brain attack that occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In some cases, some parts of the brain become damaged or die. The condition can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. 

The brain controls our movements, stores memories, and is the source of our thoughts, language, and emotions. It also controls many functions of the body like digestion and breathing. For the brain to work properly, it needs oxygen. The arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your brain. If something happens to block the flow of blood, brain cells start dying within minutes because they can’t get oxygen. This causes a stroke. 

What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of A Stroke?

Symptoms of a stroke in both men and women include:

• Dizziness or sudden falls with no clear cause
• Fainting briefly
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your face or in one arm or leg
• Sudden dim vision, especially in one eye
• Sudden and severe headache with no other cause, followed quickly by passing out
• Sudden loss of balance, sometimes along with vomiting, nausea, fever, hiccups, or trouble swallowing
• Loss of vision, strength, coordination, sensation, or speech, or trouble understanding speech. These symptoms may get worse over time.

FAST Stroke Recognition

Experts use the acronym FAST to remind people how to recognize the signs of a stroke and what to do. FAST stands for:

• Face. Tell the person to smile and watch to see if their face droops.
• Arms. Have the person raise both arms. Watch to see if one is weak or sags.
• Speech. Ask the person to say a simple phrase. Listen for slurred or strange-sounding words.
• Time. Every minute counts. Call 911 or the nearest medical group right away.

What Are Some Effects After Having A Stroke?

The effects of stroke vary from person to person based on the type, severity, location, and several strokes. The brain is very complex. Each area of the brain is responsible for a specific function or ability. When an area of the brain is damaged from a stroke, the loss of normal function of part of the body may occur. This may result in a disability.

Depending on the area and side of the cerebrum affected by the stroke, any of these functions may be impaired:

• Speech and language
• Eating and swallowing
• Vision
• Movement and sensation
• Bowel and bladder control
• Emotional control
• Cognitive ability
• Perception and orientation to surroundings
• Self-care ability
• Sexual ability

In addition to these general effects, some specific impairments may occur when a particular area of the cerebrum is damaged.

How Do You Prevent Stroke?

The best way to prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol. These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of problems like:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances (atherosclerosis)

If you have already had a stroke, making these changes can help lessen your risk of having another one in the future.

• Diet. A low-fat, high-fiber diet is usually recommended, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains.
• Exercise. Regular exercise can also help lower your cholesterol and keep your blood pressure healthy.
• Stop smoking. You can reduce your risk of having a stroke by stopping smoking. Not smoking will also improve your general health and reduce your risk of developing other serious conditions, such as lung cancer and heart disease.
• Cut down on alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and trigger an irregular heartbeat, both of which can increase your risk of having a stroke.
• Medication. Carvedilol is usually used to prevent and manage stroke. This medication is an effective beta-blocker that relaxes the blood vessels and by slowing down the rate of heart to improve the circulation of blood. It blocks the action of a certain natural substance in the heart and blood.