Pneumonia tends to occur more often in the lung on the same side of the body as the weakness from the stroke. To prevent this, deep breathing exercises, frequent turning and proper positioning during feeding are often done. One, the functioning of the urinary bladder can be affected due to injury of the bladder control area in the brain, by the stroke. Secondly, Foley catheter is often placed in patients with stroke, to empty the bladder. These seizures are usually easy to control with medications.
Stroke can lead to a pseudobulbar affect, with episodes of excessive crying or laughing.
Depression is more often seen after left hemispheric strokes. Frequent turning of patients, padded heel boots and water beds can prevent this serious complication.