A Guide to Left vs Right Stroke

Introduction: What are the Different Types of Stroke

• Types of Strokes: Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes
• Causes: Lack of blood supply to the brain leading to neuron death
• Common Areas Affected:
  • Middle cerebral artery (MCA)
  • Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)
  • Posterior cerebral artery (PCA)
• Imaging: CT and MRI used to determine stroke territory

Differences Between Left & Right Side Stroke

• A stroke on one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body (contralateral effect)
• Example: Left brain stroke affects the right side of the body

Common Deficits Associated with Stroke on the Middle Cerebral Artery

Right Hemisphere Damage Impairments:

• Left-sided body or visual neglect
• Anosognosia (inability to recognize health problems)
• Visuospatial impairment
• Left unilateral motor impairment
• Contralateral numbness

Left Hemisphere Damage Impairments:

• Bilateral motor apraxia (difficulty planning motor movements)
• Broca's aphasia (difficulty speaking)
• Frustration
• Wernicke's aphasia (difficulty understanding language)
• Right-sided contralateral numbness

Impairments When Either Side of the Brain is Affected:

• Contralateral hemiplegia of face or upper extremity
• Contralateral sensory loss
• Visual field impairment
• Difficulty with contralateral gaze
• Ideational apraxia (inability to plan use of objects)
• Lack of judgment, perseveration, impaired organizational behavior, depression, lability, apathy
• Contralateral visual field deficits, memory impairments, behavioral abnormalities, bilateral visual field cuts

How Left & Right MCH Strokes Affect Quality of Life

• Stroke Treatment: Depends on type, location of damage, severity of deficits
• Symptoms define stroke if imaging is unavailable
• Therapy targets specific deficits (e.g., right arm hemiparesis treated with motor function therapy)
• Upper Extremity Impacts:
  • Pain, contracture, deformity
  • Loss of motor control, weakness
  • Orthopedic limitations, learned nonuse
  • Loss of biomechanical alignment, inefficient movement
• Post-stroke changes impact daily activities and independence but can be managed with therapy

Conclusion

• Knowing stroke location and type guides treatment and recovery
• Early deficit addressing aids restoration of function

Reference

• Pedretti, Pendleton, Schultz-Krohn, Pedrettis Occupational Therapy: Practice skills for Physical Dysfunction. Stl. Louis, MO Mosby/Elsevier, 2006.

Learn More About Left vs Right Brain Stroke Symptoms

• Further learning and exploration can enhance understanding of stroke effects.