A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is suddenly cut off. Various disabilities can occur as a result, and many patients must attend a rehabilitation center to recover all or some of their function. The following explains the impact a stroke can have on the body, as well as what patients can do to get help.

What Disabilities Often Follow a Stroke?

The type of effects felt after a stroke typically depend on what part of the brain was damaged, as well as the extent of the damage that occurred. Movement problems, including paralysis, are common. In many cases, the side of the body opposite of where the stroke took place will be affected. The whole body can be impacted or just a portion, such as the face or leg. A person’s ability to swallow may also be affected. This is known as dysphagia.

Language impairments, or aphasia, are also quite common. These impairments may prevent a person from understanding spoken and written words, as well as speaking and writing personally. Strokes can also impact memory, emotions, balance, posture, cognition, and the ability to feel pain or hot/cold sensations. When these disabilities occur, a rehabilitation center offers a range of processes and treatments to assist patients.

How Stroke Rehabilitation Works

Physical therapy is a key component of rehab for many stroke patients. It’s often possible to relearn movement, including walking, standing, and maintaining body posture, as well as strengthening weakened muscles. Occupational therapy is also essential for re-learning common activities. For instance, some occupational therapy exercises can help patients who have dysphagia improve swallowing, which has a huge impact on one’s quality of life.

When it comes to language issues, many rehabilitation centers offer speech therapy. People with functional cognitive abilities but problems with the muscles used to communicate often find success with speech therapy. Patients with more than one stroke-related disability are best served by a combination of these therapies.

The compassionate team at WyndRidge Health & Rehabilitation Center understands the emotional and physical difficulties that follow a stroke. Located in Crossville, TN, these kind and caring therapists work with each patient to construct a personalized treatment plan. Their state-of-the-art rehabilitation center offers outpatient treatment, which includes physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Visit them online for more information on therapeutic services, or call (931) 707-5687 to schedule a consultation for yourself or a loved one today.