Stroke Community: Support Group

Right Brain Strokes Cause Different Problems

You may have read about people being more right or left brain dominant. Most of the time we are...

After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

You may have read about people being more right or left brain dominant. Most of the time we are referring to their artistic or analytical abilities. But, whether a stroke affects the left or right side of the brain does make a big difference in the type of symptoms that occur. Strokes involving the right side of the brain cause many problems that most people and doctors do not routinely think about.
The right hemisphere is more in control of our visual organization, perception, and attention. It adds meaning and substance to what we see.

The right brain also is responsible for nonverbal communication, for the slang, inflection, style, and gestures that go along with our conversations with others.

Furthermore, our right hemisphere also is involved in our ability to perceive space, to understand where we are, what we are looking at, what we are doing, and why various objects are placed where they are.

All these functions are affected when a stroke occurs in the right hemisphere of the brain. Let's now go over these "right blights," these most common right-hemisphere stroke symptoms.

A List of Right-Hemisphere Stroke Symptoms

Numbness or weakness on the left side of the body
Difficulty in performing daily tasks
Perception difficulties
Neglect of left side
Visual memory impairment
Excessive talking
Short attention span
Poor judgment
Time disorientation
Loss of left visual field
Impaired abstract thinking
Extreme emotional highs and lows
Lethargy
Impulsiveness

If you are having problems in any of these areas, contact your doctor and ask for help. We tend to focus our attention on paralyzed arms and legs, frequently forgetting about these other important areas.

Good LuckView Thread

After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Right Brain Strokes Cause Different Problems You may have read about people being more right or left brain dominant. Most of the time we are...

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After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

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After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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Hello,[br>I understand your frustration all too well...I had an emergency brain surgery in 2008 for a...

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Hello,[br>I understand your frustration all too well...I had an emergency brain surgery in 2008 for a couple of bleeds in the brain stem and pons due to a Cavernous Angioma. I had never heard of that name until I was rushed to the NICU...Anyway, to make a long story short, I consider my surgery and the outcome to be a miracle, even if I am and may not ever be 100% as I was. What I experience to this day: The freezing sensation on my right side, mainly in my foot. It actually is painfull at times, I often find myself massaging it, to bring some "life" into it. I wear socks in bed, even in the summer, in order to at least try to keep it warm. I do have a bit of tingling in my right fingers, almost constant...My energy level is not what it used to be. I tire easily and that was pretty difficult to accept. I may get up early for work but I can't make it passed 9pm and that is a stretch... I was told by the neurosurgeon that it could improve, or it would not. No specific time frame either...The guy saved my life. his knowledge is incredible, but even for someone like him, our brain still holds some mystery. I can tell you this: time is one of the keys. I had double vision after the surgery. Just as I was ready to wear a patch, it went away overnight! I had to "talk" and watch my right leg and foot in order to go up a sidewalk, go up the stairs, pretty much any upward motion. I walked as much as I could, when tired, my right leg would start falling behind...I would, once agin, "talk" to it. This was the only thing I could do when in motion. No more thinking of whatever else, just focus on my right leg...Then one day, about 2 years post surgery, I found myself thinking about something totally different when I was walking!!! From then on, I have not needed to "talk" to my leg...Do not despair, think of what was done to your brain. I often describe it as a tree that got a branch or two chopped off...They will grow back, just not in the same place. They will be fragile at first, but will strenghten with time...I was 46 when this happened...If I may say: Educate yourself about what happened as much as you can, Doctors are not always equipped to deal with the emotional toll that such an event takes. If you can, find a support group, a mentor, any kind of support from people who know and understand what you are dealing with.[br>Sorry, this is very long...I just hope it will help a little, and I wish you the very best![br>NicoleView Thread

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After your stroke you may be experiencing a new normal, but remember what George Eliot said- It is never too late to be what you might have been. You still can achieve new goals.

Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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Posted by Richard C Senelick, MD

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