Although they may not cause pain and may disappear quickly, they are clear warning signs that a stroke may soon follow. The particular after-effects experienced by a stroke survivor will depend upon the location and extent of the stroke. Strokes which occur in the right hemisphere of the brain can affect spatial and perceptual abilities as well as movement on the left side of the body. Patients may have difficulty swallowing. Aphasia is a term used to describe a collection of communication difficulties, including problems with speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.
Episodes generally come and go quickly and dissipate over time.
A natural reaction, with origins in physiological and psychological causes. Some important factors in predicting the presence and severity of post-stroke depression include previous history of depression, location of the stroke, and size of the stroke. Diagnosis Improved medical technology has increased physicians' ability to accurately diagnose strokes and assess the damage to the brain. However, it is not always easy to recognize small strokes because symptoms may be dismissed by the patient and family as changes due to the aging process, or may be con-fused with symptoms of other neurological illnesses. As discussed earlier, any episode of stroke warning signs requires immediate emergency evaluation.