Cognitive impairments are very likely to occur after a frontal lobe stroke or a stroke that affects the brain’s ability to think analytically or rationally. In this article, we will discuss some cognitive issues that are likely to occur after a frontal lobe stroke. Please follow through.
Aphasia (language difficulty or disorder)
Aphasia is a common language difficulty or disorder that may happen after a stroke, especially a left -hemisphere stroke. Not all language problems are considered aphasia, but it is a generally used term that covers most speech problems.
Treatment always involve speech therapy exercises. If the affected person cannot talk at all, singing therapy may be helpful. Alternative forms of communication can also be introduced during speech therapy if needed.
Attention difficulty and memory impairment
The frontal lobe handles higher cognitive functions such as memory and attention. When it suffer damage after a stroke, it can make it more difficult to handle everyday cognitive functions, like remembering where you place an item or paying attention to someone talking. Sometimes, memory after stroke improves on its own and when it happens that way, it is called spontaneous recovery.
On the other hand, studies have shown that cognitive training helps improve cognitive function after stroke. This type of training is basically done with a speech therapist.
Vascular dementia or (Post-stroke dementia)
When individuals experience dementia after having stroke, it is called vascular dementia. This condition results from the impact of the stroke.
Vascular dementia can cause a person to develop cognitive issues like impaired thinking and reasoning, memory loss, confusion, decreased attention span, and more. It is important to work with a medical team for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Pseudobulbar affect
A stroke side effect know as pseudobulbar affect (pba), or (emotional incontinence), can cause random outbursts of laughter and/or crying when inappropriate to the context and/or situation. The treatment includes medication and/or psychotherapeutic intervention.
Behavioral changes
Some stroke survivors display different behaviors after a stroke, such as anger or aggression. Sometimes irregular behaviors may occur, which could be a secondary effect caused by vascular dementia or other cognitive changes.
Depression and anxiety disorder
Depression is one of the most common post-stroke effects, it affects almost half of the survivors. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about your mental health after having a stroke. Treatments can help survivors maintain the motivation necessary to keep pursuing rehabilitation.
When it comes to cognitive after-effects of a stroke, it is best to work with a speech language pathologist (SLP). These are highly skilled in working with stroke survivors that have language difficulties and other cognitive issues.
When stroke affects a brain region that control sensory functions it impairs sensory abilities of the affected side. Next, we will consider some common sensory issues that may occur after having a stroke.
Cognitive impairments after stroke in summary.
Strokes that occur in the frontal lobe area of the brain are most likely to result in cognitive difficulties. Although stroke in other brain areas that controls individuals ability to think analytically can also produce cognitive impairments.
Whatever the cause, working with speech language pathologists can be a great help in handling cognitive issues after stroke. So if you or loved one is experiencing any cognitive deficit after stroke, seek the help of these experts (spls). They are trained to handle these conditions.
Book to link: “Stroke complications and side effects- what you need to know.”