Brain attack

A stroke is what happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to the brain. Without the blood supply, brain cells are damaged and may die.

Brain function

Because the brain controls everything that the body and mind does, damage to the brain can affect:

 

 

  • body functions - moving, swallowing, breathing, seeing and hearing
  • mental functions - thinking, speaking learning, feeling and understanding.

People who have had a stroke often have a combination of problems, such as weakness on one side of the body and difficulty communicating.

Every stroke is different and people are affected in different ways. The symptoms of a stroke can last for a short time (a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke), or they may last for a longer time leading to long-term disabilities.

Links
Recovery and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech and language therapy
Swallowing
Vision
Using the toilet
Psychological changes
Helping rehabilitation
Support at home
Rehabilitation in the community