Stroke Flashcards
What is a stroke
A stroke is an attack on the brain when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. This can either be through a blood clot or a burst blood vessel.
Which side of the brain affects Language
The left side of the brain - Language hemisphere is here such as: talking writing and reading
If you have a left sided stroke it will affect these areas
What is the clinical significance of the two hemispheres of the brain
The two hemispheres of your brain will affect different functions of your body. For example, damage to the right side of your brain will mean problems on the left side of the body
What are the two types of Stroke
Ischemic and Haemorrhagic
What is an ischemic stroke
An ischaemic stroke is a blockage to an artery carrying blood to the brain. Causes can vary from a blood clot, air or fat bubble in the blood vessel or main artery. This is the most common cause of stroke
What is a haemorrhagic stroke
A haemorrhagic stroke is the bursting of a blood vessel resulting in bleeding into the brain. This can be caused by either a vessel bursting in the brain or a vessel bursting on the surface and leaking into the area between the brain and the skull
What is a transient ischaemic attack
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) occurs when the brain has the bloody supply interrupted for a brief amount of time. Commonly known as a mini stroke, symptoms are the same as a normal stroke but only last for a max of 2 hrs. This can be a warning sign that the brain is not getting enough oxygen and so may lead to a more serious form of stroke
What causes a stroke
The cause of a stroke is a blood clot or bleed into the brain. This cuts off the supply of oxygen to the brain and does not allow it to function properly. There are a number of risk factors associated with a stroke. Some of these an be changed but some cannot.
Things that cannot be changed are: age, family history, ethnicity
This that can be managed: high BP, diabetes, high cholesterol
Effects of stroke
- Dysphagia
- Aphasia - receptive and expressive
- Dysarthria
- Apraxia of Speech
- Cog Comm - is the right hemisphere is affected - social communication - turn taking, attention, problem solving etc,
How can SLT help
Initial assessment of swallowing and communication difficulties following acute stroke
Training of other healthcare professionals to carry out screening
Long-term rehabilitation of stroke patients as part of the core multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation team
Coaching others, including carers and other professionals, to facilitate communication
Supporting the medical team to assess capacity, in cases in which it is difficult to obtain consent from a person.
