5 Ways Having a Stroke Affects Your Body

If you're a stroke survivor, you're probably wondering what to expect and how you can manage any physical effects that may arise. Rehabilitation is key after you've had a stroke, and understanding how a stroke affects the body is vital to recovery. Every stroke is unique, but there are common physical conditions that can happen following a stroke.

1. Trouble Eating & Swallowing

Proper nutrition following a stroke is essential for optimal recovery. A stroke can cause problems with eating and swallowing. This is known as dysphagia and is common among individuals who have experienced a stroke. However, it often gets better with time. Aspiration can occur with dysphagia. This happens when the muscles in the tongue, mouth, and throat aren't able to send food to the esophagus, which can lead to respiratory infections because food gets into the airway and becomes trapped in the lungs. Pneumonia is a common respiratory infection seen among stroke survivors.

Sitting up straight and taking small bites when you eat and drink can help keep your respiratory system clear. It's also important to make sure all food is out of your mouth after you've finished eating. A therapist may incorporate learning techniques into your treatment plan that helps you chew and swallow.

2. Problems With the Nervous System

A stroke can cause issues with the nervous system that include hemiplegia. This is when one side of the body becomes paralyzed because of the brain or spinal cord damage. You may experience more pain than before the stroke because perception signals aren't received correctly from the brain.

Changes in vision and foot drop can occur after a stroke if signal receptors are damaged. With foot drop, you may have difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, which causes the toes to drag while walking. Individuals with foot drops need a suitable treatment plan that may involve braces, orthotics, and physical therapy.

3. Muscle Spasticity

The American Heart Association reported that 25 to 43% of individuals who have experienced a stroke will get spasticity within the first year of the stroke. Spasticity is more common following a hemorrhagic stroke, and it can happen shortly after a stroke or more than a year later. This post-stroke condition causes muscles to become stiff and rigid, and it usually occurs in the ankle, wrist, or elbow. Common symptoms of muscle spasticity include:

• Problems stretching the muscle
• Curled toes
• Muscle spasms
• Decreased elbow function

4. Fatigue

Post-stoke fatigue is not only physical, it can also be mentally draining. After having a stroke, you may feel fatigued which doesn't improve with rest, and physical activities that you participated in before the stroke may cause you to become tired more quickly. Medications and changes in your diet, which include refraining from caffeine, are a few factors that can lead to fatigue.

Finding balance after a stroke can help manage fatigue. Talk with your physical therapist about ways to fight fatigue and stay active. One study found that yoga can be beneficial during stroke rehabilitation because it can help relieve stress and anxiety.

5. Changes in Sensation

Paresthesia and dysesthesia can occur following a stroke. Dysesthesia causes chronic pain and is the result of damage to the central nervous system. The feet, arms, hands, and legs are common areas where it occurs and can feel like a burning sensation. Individuals who experience paresthesia may feel a tingling sensation, such as pins being poked into the skin. While paresthesia and dysesthesia have different terms, they are sometimes used interchangeably.

You may also experience hypoesthesia following a stroke. When this happens, you get numbness in the limbs, which can cause pressure on the skin to go unnoticed. As a result, ill-fitting clothing and shoes may cause damage to the skin. Additionally, you may notice less sensitivity to temperature after a stroke, so be sure to check the water temperature before showering.

How to Manage Life After a Stroke

While the impacts of a stroke can be challenging, seeking treatment and maintaining a healthy diet are the best ways to get your life back on track. A physical assessment after a stroke is essential for creating a treatment plan that's effective and improves your quality of life.