Signs and Effects of a Stroke

bySarah Wollenzien, Tracy Frye, Thomas Saffell,

Laura Hansen, Shaylee Fisher, Derrick Whitney, Talieya Wallace

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. The

lack of nutrients causes brain cells to die.

Impacts of a stroke.This loss of brain cells can lead to lost abilities such as speech, movement and memory. The impact of a stroke depends on what part and

how much of the brain is impacted. More than 2/3 of stroke survivors will have some

type of disability.

Common types of a strokeAn ischemic stroke is where a blood clot blocks an artery preventing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Accounting for ~87% of strokes, this occurs one of two ways:

Thrombosis Blood clot formed in

an artery that provides blood to the brain.

EmbolismBlood clot or plaque fragment

from elsewhere in the body gets lodged in the brain.

Less common types of strokeIn a hemorrhagic stroke, the blood vessels in the brain break or hemorrhage.

There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke that account for ~13% of strokes.

Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: a blood vessel bursts leaking blood into the brain tissue.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:

a blood vessel bursts near the surface of the brain and pours

into the area between the brain and the skull .

Signs of a stroke

SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.

SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

Signs of a stroke (cont.)

SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.

An easy ACRONYM to help us remember symptoms

Immediate and permanent effects of physical functions may include:

Visual – perception problems or vision loss

Sleep – impact sleep in a number of ways

Seizures – spasms or convulsions

Physical effects (cont.)

Incontinence – inability to control bladder/bowels

Paralysis – inability to move voluntarily. Can affect different muscle groups

Pain – post-stroke pain

Fatigue – chronic, rest does not always help

Immediate and permanent effects of cognitive functions may include:

Vascular Dementia – thinking and cognitive

Aphasia – communication disorder

Memory – short-term and long-term

Immediate and permanent effects of emotional functions may include:

Depression – biological, behavioral or social

factors

Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) – causes sudden & unpredictable crying or laughing

This is Gloria‘s story of her stroke.

This is what she lost.

This is how it impacted her life.

This is how she used her disabilities to help others.

Gloria is in the 10-25% range of recovery.

Early Recovery Facts for stroke victims:10% survivors recover almost completely.25% recover with minor impairments.40% experience moderate to severe

impairments.10% require care in facility.15% die shortly after.

Real threats after a stroke

185,000 of the 795,000 strokes that Americans experience are recurrent strokes.

The greatest risk of a recurrent stroke is within the first 5 years.

Stroke patients are encouraged to work with their doctors to make lifestyle changes.

Music therapy and rehabilitation.Although speech comes from the left side of the brain, music is found on both sides.

Music therapy can help rewire the right side of the brain to develop speech again through

song and music.

This includes cognition, motor skills and socio-emotional learning and relearning.

Prevention Up to 80 percent of all strokes can be prevented

Check blood pressure regularly, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for strokes.

An abnormal heartbeat can increase the risk of stroke by 500%.

Do not smoke; control alcohol intakeby drinking in moderation or not at all. Watch cholesterol levels, exercise and eat a healthy diet.

References• "Stroke Survivors." - National Stroke Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb.

2014. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=surv

• Stroke association (2013). Spot a stroke, save a flife [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Heart.org website http://www.strokeassociation.org/idc/groups/ahaecc-public/@wcm/@hcm/@sta/documents/downloadable/ucm_452154.pdf

• Watson, C. (n.d.). Rhythm for rehabilitation: music therapy as a part of the stroke rehabilitation team. Retrieved from https://www.med.unc.edu/phyrehab/files/Rhythm_for_Rehabilitation.pdf