Global Effects

• Some effects of stroke can occur whether the stroke is on the right or left side of the body.
• Memory is commonly affected following a stroke regardless of which side is affected.
• Depression is a common reaction to illness or injury and should be considered normal after a stroke, if it doesn't last for a prolonged period of time.
• Emotional changes are also common. An individual may cry easily and then begin laughing for no apparent reason.
• A person's bowel or bladder functioning may also be affected following a stroke.

The Effects of a Left Stroke
The most apparent physical consequence of a stroke on the left side of the brain is right-sided paralysis. The weakness or paralysis more often occurs to the hand and arm. Speech and language problems are also common among individuals who have sustained a left stroke. There may be difficulty in both speaking and understanding. In some cases, the muscles in the face, neck, mouth, and throat also become weakened or paralyzed causing slow, labored slurred speech and an abnormal vocal quality.

Other consequences of a left stroke are difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow and vision problems such as double vision or partial blindness affecting only half the field of vision in each eye. An individual's behavior may also become slow, or appear hesitant when solving problems.

The Effects of a Right Stroke
A stroke on the right side of the brain may cause paralysis or weakness on the left side of the body. A person who has suffered a right stroke may display some degree of muscle weakness and dysphasia, vision deficits, memory, attention and concentration deficits. However, they frequently have adequate communication skills.

Persons who suffer right strokes often have difficulty judging distance, size, position, rate of movement, form and how parts relate to wholes.

One-sided neglect, that is, ignoring a weak or paralyzed body part may also develop with a right stroke. Right strokes can also cause an individual to have problems understanding body language. A patient may not be able to interpret information from tone of voice, body movements, or facial expressions.

While persons with left strokes are slow and cautious, persons with right strokes tend to be impulsive and quick when completing activities. They are often unaware of their abilities. Some individuals may try to complete activities they cannot perform safely.