Strokes Change Lives Entirely

Strokes are life-threatening and dangerous conditions that can change a person’s entire life within minutes. Patients who survive the stroke are likely to require long-term, potentially life-long, care. But it is not only their lives which are affected; the lives of their loved ones can change permanently, too.

The American Stroke Association describes a stroke as a type of “brain attack.” Individuals usually suffer a stroke when any of the blood vessels connecting to their brain ruptures or becomes blocked. This causes the blood supply to the brain to be cut off, affecting the brain’s ability to receive the oxygen and blood that it needs to survive. Every second that the brain’s blood supply is disrupted is crucial as the brain cells immediately begin to die.

Are there different types of strokes?

Individuals can suffer two different types of strokes, which include:

1. Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel or artery within the brain erupts and starts to bleed. This bleeding can cause serious pressure to form on the brain, which can permanently damage the cells within the brain. Aneurysms and blood pressure problems are two common reasons for hemorrhagic strokes.
2. Ischemic stroke: Individuals experience ischemic strokes when there are clots or blockages prohibiting the blood from flowing to the brain. Most people who suffer strokes are diagnosed with ischemic strokes. These types of strokes can come from anything that has the ability to block the blood flow within your blood vessels. However, the most common particles that are known to build up over time and cause these types of strokes are made of calcium, fibrin, and cholesterol.

The only way to prevent permanent brain damage is for the individual who is having a stroke to be taken to a hospital and receive a correct diagnosis, as well as begin medical treatment as quickly as possible. If a stroke is misdiagnosed, the individual’s chances of surviving or living a life without brain damage are slim to none.

Why do strokes affect the body the way that they do?

The brain controls the body. A stroke disrupts the brain’s ability to fulfill this function. While neurogenesis (AKA, regrowth of damaged brain cells) is possible, it is also inconsistent, and the ability may decline with age. In short, most victims of strokes – especially older victims – may be “stuck” with the level of brain damage the stroke causes, and that damage can affect how the body functions. The extent of the bodily injury is based on:

• The severity of the stroke
• The location of the stroke
• How much of the brain tissue or cells are affected or damaged

The American Stroke Association points out that the body may be affected in different ways depending on the location of the stroke. For example, a stroke on the right side of the brain causes paralysis on the individual’s left side and blindness or vision issues, and a stroke on the left side of the brain causes paralysis on the individual’s right side and communication and speaking problems. A brain stem stroke can impact various parts of the body on both sides. In fact, it can cause the individual to not be able to use any of their limbs and enter into a vegetative state for the rest of their life.

What a stroke does, really, is rob people (and their loved ones) of the futures they envisioned. Severe strokes may leave patients completely reliant on others to care for them. Walking, talking, bathing, getting dressed – the little things many of us do every day without thinking – become impossible tasks for stroke victims. Systemic functions may require medical intervention, meaning feeding tubes or respirators.

Strokes, therefore, are whole-body traumas. They may happen to just one person, but the effects happen to the entire family.

How a new breakthrough may help stroke patients in the future

There is hope on the horizon, though. According to Fortune Media, a 47-year-old woman named Ann suffered a stroke in her brain stem almost two decades ago. The stroke meant she would never be able to walk, speak, or make facial expressions ever again. However, with new technological advances such as artificial intelligence, she is finding new ways to speak.

The article explains that Ann “agreed to have a paper-thin, credit card-size set of 253 electrodes surgically implanted onto the cortex of her brain.” There is a cord that is connected directly to the electrodes in her head on one end, and on the other end, it is plugged into a computer that is ready to use artificial intelligence to determine her thoughts.

Over the span of several weeks, Ann was connected to the computer. During this time period, the artificial intelligence system and computer learned her thoughts and signals, which led to actual words and sentences. By the end of the study, the computer was aware of 1,024 words based on Ann’s thoughts. While this process can be challenging and tiring, Ann never gave up as she knew that this type of breakthrough could lead to other stroke victims being able to talk or express their thoughts in the future.

The computer used a previous recording of Ann’s voice from decades ago and translated her thoughts into actual conversations and phrases. You could see the happiness on Ann’s face as this was the first time that she was able to communicate with others in over 18 years.

What should you do if your family member or loved one appears to be having a stroke?

If you think that your family member or loved one might be having a stroke, it is highly recommended that you:

• Dial 9-1-1 immediately: While you may not be sure if they are having a stroke, it is best to be on the safe side and get them the medical help and treatment that they need as soon as possible.
• Take notes of any symptoms you see or notice: Make a note of any signs or symptoms that you see or notice: drooping face, inability to lift an arm, balance troubles, slurred speech and blurry vision are the most common symptoms. You can refer to these notes to let the doctor or 9-1-1 dispatcher know what you saw and noticed.
• Start doing CPR: If your family member or loved one is having trouble breathing, you should start doing CPR right away if you know it. If you do not know proper CPR techniques, then wait for EMS to arrive.
• Help the individual find a lawyer: If your loved one does not get the proper medical assistance they need and deserve, they may have a legal case on their hands. Many strokes are mistreated or misdiagnosed, causing the individual to experience a worse outcome than they should have. If this is the case for your family member or loved one, they need strong legal representation that will guide them through the obstacles and challenges of the legal system.

Please contact Paulson & Nace, PLLC through this contact form or by calling our office.