How Does a Stroke Affect Human Body Systems?
The effects of stroke vary greatly from person to person as the brain is a highly complex organ. Each part of the brain is accountable for certain functions or abilities. Depending on the severity, location, type, and number of strokes, the effects of a stroke may affect different body organs and systems.
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What Happens When a Stroke Affects the Cerebrum?
The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres: the right side and the left side. It is responsible for movement, sensation, speech, thinking, reasoning, memory, vision, and emotions.
The functions that may be affected in a cerebrum stroke include:
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Right cerebral hemisphere stroke effects include:
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What Happens When a Stroke Affects the Cerebrum? |
What Happens When a Stroke Affects the Brain Stem? |
The cerebellum receives sensory information from the body through the spinal cord. It is responsible for muscle coordination, movement, and balance.
Strokes are less common in the cerebellum area, but the effects can be severe. Four common effects of strokes in the cerebellum include:
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The brain stem controls many vital body functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing. Additionally, it controls eye movement, hearing, speech, chewing, and swallowing.
Brain stem stroke effects include:
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Main Body Systems That are Effected by a Stroke
4 main body systems that are affected by a stroke are: nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system, and muscular system.
Nervous
When the brain tissue is damaged, messages between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system cannot be properly transmitted. A stroke may cause a patient to experience more pain than before and not fully understand sensations such as hot and cold. If the part of the brain that communicates vision is affected, a patient's vision may experience partial or complete vision loss. Weakness or paralyzation of the front part of the foot is called foot drop. This is due to nerve damage which changes how the brain sends and receives messages. Figure 1 displays nerves transmitting to and from the brain to the whole body. A stroke interrupts the flow of nerves and therefore a patient will experience impaired abilities. |
Figure 1
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Respiratory
Strokes will often cause dysphagia which will improve over time. Since the digestive system cannot adequately direct food down the esophagus food and liquid can enter the air way and into the lungs. This can cause pneumonia and infections.
Strokes will often cause dysphagia which will improve over time. Since the digestive system cannot adequately direct food down the esophagus food and liquid can enter the air way and into the lungs. This can cause pneumonia and infections.
Circulatory
Strokes are often caused by buildup of an issue or multiple issues in the circulatory system such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.
If you’ve had a stroke you are at higher risk to experience another one. Lifestyle changes and medications can help support the circulatory system to reduce the risk of another stroke.
Strokes are often caused by buildup of an issue or multiple issues in the circulatory system such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.
If you’ve had a stroke you are at higher risk to experience another one. Lifestyle changes and medications can help support the circulatory system to reduce the risk of another stroke.
Muscular
A stroke can affect a lot of different muscle groups. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa. The side that the stroke affects will be reflected in weakness, numbing, or paralysis in the opposite side. This is caused by damage in the brain tissues which affects the messages from the brain to the muscles. Weak muscles cannot fully support the body leading to issues with balance and movement.
A stroke can affect a lot of different muscle groups. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa. The side that the stroke affects will be reflected in weakness, numbing, or paralysis in the opposite side. This is caused by damage in the brain tissues which affects the messages from the brain to the muscles. Weak muscles cannot fully support the body leading to issues with balance and movement.