Life after a stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a Cerebrovascular Accident that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is obstructed. Depending on the area of the brain affected and the severity of the sequelae, different types of strokes are discussed.

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. We talk about a hemorrhagic stroke when there is an arterial rupture. Finally, we talk about a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) when a clot temporarily blocks an artery.

Depending on the type of stroke, the sequelae differ. For example, for TIA, the sequelae often last only a few hours. However, they should not be underestimated as this can be a sign of vulnerability and a possible more severe stroke in the future.

What are the sequelae after a stroke?

When a person has just had a stroke, it is important to know that they may have many sequelae afterwards. Here is a list of these, which is important to take into account:

• Motor sequelae: this can correspond to difficulty moving one or more limbs, paralysis (we talk about hemiplegia) or even numbness on one side of the body. It should be known that the motor areas of the brain are reversed. Indeed, if the stroke affects the motor area of the left brain, then the motor sequelae will be on the right side of the body.
• Swallowing difficulties.
• Behavioral and cognitive disorders: this affects mood, concentration or memory, for example.
• Balance disorders: sometimes rehabilitation is necessary or adapted furniture is needed.
• Language disorders: there may be difficulty in structuring sentences, or in finding words (in which case we talk about aphasia) or problems with articulation. In general, this can be resolved with speech therapy sessions.
• Significant fatigue.
• Sensitivity disorders: this can correspond to tingling or prickling. The person may also have numbness in the sense of touch, or difficulty perceiving the temperature of objects. Finally, there may be difficulty recognizing objects by touch.
• Hemi-neglect: after a stroke, the person may have one side of their visual field obstructed. This symptom can be very dangerous, as the person is not aware of their difficulty. For example, when crossing the road, they will not see one side of the street.

Of course, after a stroke, it is perfectly possible for a person to feel other pains. These must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

What to do after a stroke?

Depending on the disorders and sequelae present, the patient must be followed by different healthcare professionals. Often the care of a patient after a stroke is multidisciplinary. We can call on a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist...

However, when a person has a stroke, there may be factors that prevent a good recovery. Here is a list of these:

• Rapid management of the patient.
• Age: the younger a person is, the less likely they are to have sequelae.
• Good general health before the stroke.
• The presence of a solid entourage.
• A good morale.

Training can therefore involve games like the JOE application, which offers more than 30 fun and cultural games. This application is specially developed for post-stroke brain training.

To learn more about aphasia, one of the most common sequelae of stroke, the article on the subject below might interest you...

The JOE app, adapted for rehabilitation after a stroke

A brain training program including more than 30 adapted memory games, for the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, for use after a stroke, or to stimulate your memory on a daily basis.

Follow the player's progress and evolution within the application and customize the training as you go.

• A simple interface,
• 3 difficulty levels per game,
• No WiFi required.

Try the app for free for 1 week, on all tablets and smartphones, Android and Apple!

Here are some examples of games adapted for use after a stroke: