The Effects of a Left Sided Stroke
A stroke is a loss of blood flow to a certain part of the brain. The resulting damage depends on the location and extensiveness of the stroke. A stroke to the left side of the brain will affect cognitive, motor and sensory areas. Language, thinking, behavior and physical movement can be impaired. Stroke is the third most common cause of death and is the main cause of disability among adults.
Impaired Language Ability
For most people, the primary language center is located on the left side of the brain. The American Stroke Association explains that a stroke in this area can cause either temporary or permanent impaired language ability. Not only can a person’s speech ability be affected, but the ability to read and write as well. Aphasia, the inability to use or comprehend language, agraphia, difficulty with writing words, and alexia, difficulty with reading, are all possible effects of a left-sided stroke.
- For most people, the primary language center is located on the left side of the brain.
- Not only can a person’s speech ability be affected, but the ability to read and write as well.
Intellectual Impairment
The Effects of a Right Hemisphere Stroke
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Donna D. Ignatavicius, MS RN, and M. Linda Workman, Ph.D., authors of “Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care," explain that the centers for analytical thought and intellectual reasoning are located in the left hemisphere of the brain 1. Patients who suffer a left-sided stroke may experience memory deficits. Intellectual impairments make it difficult for the stroke victim to carry out simple tasks of daily living such as completing money transactions, travel plans or paying bills.
Right-sided Motor Impairment
If a left-sided stroke affects a motor center, the person will have right-sided deficits because motor tracts cross in the brain. He may experience hemiplegia, which is paralysis on one side of the body, in this case the right side, or hemiparesis, which is weakness on one side. Other motor impairments could be hypotonia, a loss of muscle tone. The opposite can also occur in the form of hypertonia, or spastic muscle movements.
- If a left-sided stroke affects a motor center, the person will have right-sided deficits because motor tracts cross in the brain.
- He may experience hemiplegia, which is paralysis on one side of the body, in this case the right side, or hemiparesis, which is weakness on one side.
Behavior Changes
Middle Cerebral Artery Symptoms of Stroke
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A person who has suffered a left-sided stroke tends to be slow and cautious. Stressful situations can easily bring on anxiety, frustration and anger. Depression can become a serious problem for left-sided stroke victims.
Sensory Impairment
Several sensory impairments can result from a left-sided stroke. The visual field can be affected, with deficits occurring in the right visual field. A patient may have ptosis or drooping of the right eye lid. She may also have hemianopsia, blindness in half of the visual field, if the stroke affected blood flow to the retina.
Patients may be unable to properly identify or use objects normally. This condition is called agnosia. Trying to perform a purposeful task such as picking up a phone can become difficult or impossible. Carrying out normal daily activities is greatly impaired due to these sensory deficits.
- Several sensory impairments can result from a left-sided stroke.
- The visual field can be affected, with deficits occurring in the right visual field.
Related Articles
References
- “Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care”; Donna D. Ignatavicius MS RN, & M. Linda Workman Ph.D.; 2006
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke Signs and Symptoms. Updated March 27, 2018.
- Wei CC, Huang SW, Hsu SL, Chen HC, Chen JS, Liang H. Analysis of using the tongue deviation angle as a warning sign of a stroke. Biomed Eng Online. 2012;11:53. doi:10.1186/1475-925X-11-53
- National Institute on Aging. Stroke. Updated May 16, 2017.
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- Goodwin D. Homonymous hemianopia: challenges and solutions. Clin Ophthalmol. 2014;8:1919-27. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S59452
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Aphasia. Updated March 6, 2017.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stroke Information Page. Updated March 27, 2019.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Stroke. Updated August 14, 2018.
- Yanagawa Y, Yoshihara T, Kato H, Iba T, Tanaka H. Significance of urinary incontinence, age, and consciousness level on arrival among patients with stroke. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2013;6(2):83-6. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.110750
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stroke: Hope Through Research. Updated August 13, 2019.
- Rowe FJ. Vision In Stroke cohort: Profile overview of visual impairment. Brain Behav. 2017;7(11):e00771. doi:10.1002/brb3.771
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Wallenberg syndrome. 2017.
- Konczak J, Pierscianek D, Hirsiger S, et al. Recovery of upper limb function after cerebellar stroke: lesion symptom mapping and arm kinematics. Stroke. 2010;41(10):2191-200. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.583641
- Al-Qazzaz NK, Ali SH, Ahmad SA, Islam S, Mohamad K. Cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction after a stroke diagnosis: a post-stroke memory assessment. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;10:1677-91. doi:10.2147/NDT.S67184
- American Stroke Association. About Stroke.
- Kernan WN, Ovbiagele B, Black HR, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2014;45(7):2160-236. doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000024
- National Institutes of Health. NIH Stroke Scale International.
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Writer Bio
Patricia Nevins is a registered nurse with nearly 20 years of nursing experience. She obtained her Master of Science in nursing with a focus in education from the University of Phoenix. Nevins shares her passion for healthy living through her roles as educator, nursing consultant and writer.