A stroke is defined as a sudden impairment or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel supplying the brain. It is accompanied by permanent damage to brain tissue.
If you are a stroke victim and survivor like me, then you know that having a stroke is a debilitating, life-changing event that not only robs you of your independence but destroys your identity, too. It alters your life in ways that you could have never imagined. One thing that all stroke survivors have in common is that they would give anything to go back to the way life was before their stroke and to feel normal again. Hopefully, the information in this book will help you do just that.
Some of the ways stroke affects you:
Physical Effects:
Weakness or Paralysis: A stroke can cause weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
Sensory Loss: Some individuals may experience numbness or loss of sensation.
Challenges with Movement: Most stroke survivors struggle with walking, balance, and coordination.
Vision Problems: Stroke survivors may also notice changes in vision, including loss of visual fields.
Chewing and Swallowing Difficulties.
Cognitive and Emotional Effects: Stroke survivors often experience forgetfulness, carelessness, confusion, mood changes, anger, anxiety, irritability, and depression.
Speech and Language Changes: Stroke survivors can also suffer from aphasia (problems with speech and understanding language).
Memory Impairment: Difficulty remembering and learning new information.
Behavioral Changes: Impulsivity, lack of concern, or inappropriate actions and behavior.
Other Aspects:
Self-Care Abilities: Challenges in daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and grooming.
Sexual Function: Lack of ability or interest
Work and Living Arrangements: Modifications may be necessary to prevent stroke survivors from falling.
After suffering my stroke, I decided to write a book on stroke recovery. Having an extensive background in the healthcare field, I did extensive research on the most effective ways to overcome the side effects of a stroke and how to reclaim our lives.
My book covers stroke prevention, recovery, diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, relationships, and more. While doing research for this book, I discovered a lot about stroke that I never learned from either my doctors or therapists, and I hope to pass that information on to you.