Stroke is the most common cause of disability resulting from damage to the nervous system. A stroke may affect:
- Movement. You may not be able to use your arms or walk. This is usually because of weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis).
- Speech and language. You may not be able to speak, read, or write. Also, you may not be able to understand what someone else is saying.
- Thinking and reasoning. You may not be able to think clearly. The stroke may cause you to act differently than you did before the stroke.
- Senses. You may not be able to feel when something or someone touches your affected body parts, such as the arms or legs. Your sight or hearing (rare) may be affected.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Last Updated | March 6, 2007 |
Author:Robin Parks, MS
Last Updated: 03/06/2007
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