Left Brain Stroke

OVERVIEW

Your brain is divided into left and right halves, called “hemispheres.” They specialize in different things. Because of this, a stroke on the left side of your brain can be very different from a stroke on the brain’s right side. Let’s look at some symptoms of a left-brain stroke.

RIGHT-SIDE PARALYSIS

Many people experience paralysis after a stroke. One side of your face may droop, or you may have weakness in an arm or leg. But did you know that the hemispheres of the brain actually control movement on the opposite side of the body? So when a left-brain stroke causes paralysis, the paralysis is on the body’s right side.

SPEACH AND LANGUAGE

For most people, the brain’s left hemisphere handles language and speech. So a left-brain stroke can cause a wide range of speech and language problems. You may have trouble speaking, or trouble recalling words. You may be unable to speak. We call these speech problems “aphasia.”

OTHER ISSUES

A right-brain stroke can affect your brain in other ways, too. You may find that you tend to ignore or forget people and things on the left side of your body. We call this “left-side neglect.” You may have short-term memory problems. And some people experience a change in behavior. You may become more impulsive, and you may forget that you have some limitations.

CONCLUSION

No matter which side of your brain is affected, your doctor will create a care plan that is right for you. Recovering from a stroke is hard, and it can take a long time. But If you follow the advice of your care team, you can make improvements and get back to the life you enjoy