PROGNOSIS OF STROKE

The results of stroke vary widely depending on size,location of the lesion, and dysfunctions correspond to areas in the brain thathave been damaged. If the stroke is severe enough or in a certain location suchas parts of the brainstem, coma or death can result. Stroke can affect patientsphysically, mentally, emotionally, or a combination of the three. Disabilityaffects 75% of stroke survivors enough to decrease their employability.

Some ofthe physical disabilities that can result from stroke include :

• Paralysis
• Numbness
• Pressure sores
• Pneumonia
• Incontinence
• Apraxia ( inability to perform learned movements )
• Difficulties carrying out daily activities
• Appetite loss
• Vision loss
• PainEmotional problems resulting from stroke can result from direct damage toemotional centers in the brain or from frustration and difficulty adapting tonew limitations.

Post-stroke emotional difficulties include :

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Flat affect ( failure to express emotions )
• Mania
• Apathy
• Psychosis

Emotional lability, another consequence of stroke, causes the patient to switchquickly between emotional highs and lows and to express emotionsinappropriately, for instance with an excess of laughing or crying with littleor no provocation. Some patients show the opposite of what they feel, forexample crying when they are happy. Emotional lability occurs in about 20% ofstroke patients.

Mental disability affects 30 to 50% of stroke survivors suffer post strokedepression, which is characterized include :

• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Lowered self esteem
• Depression can reduce motivation and worsen outcome, but can be treated withantidepressants.
• Cognitive deficits resulting from stroke include :
• Perceptual disorders
• Speech problems
• Dementia
• Problems with attention and memory

A stroke sufferer may be unaware of his or her own disabilities, a conditioncalled anosognosia. In a condition called hemispatial neglect, a patient isunable to attend to anything on the side of space opposite to the damagedhemisphere.

Up to 10% of all stroke patients develop seizures, most commonly in the weeksubsequent to the event; the severity of the stroke increases the likelihood ofa seizure

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