A stroke is a sudden disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain, caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding. When brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, they begin to die rapidly. The specific area of the brain affected determines the abilities that may be impacted. Strokes can occur in any brain region, including the right side.
The Brain’s Hemispheres and Stroke Occurrence
The human brain is divided into two hemispheres: the right and the left. Each hemisphere controls different functions and the opposite side of the body, a phenomenon known as contralateral control. For example, the right hemisphere primarily controls movement and sensation on the left side of the body. Right-sided strokes lead to specific impairments. The location and size of the stroke significantly influence the range and severity of the effects experienced.
How a Right-Sided Stroke Affects the Body and Mind
A right-sided stroke impacts functions primarily managed by the right hemisphere, which include spatial awareness, visual processing, and attention. Damage to this area can result in weakness or paralysis on the left side of the body, affecting the face, arm, or leg. This occurs because the right brain controls the left side of the body’s motor functions.
Beyond physical effects, right-sided strokes can significantly alter cognitive and perceptual abilities. Individuals may experience difficulties with spatial perception, such as judging distances, sizes, or positions of objects. This can manifest as bumping into objects or trouble navigating familiar environments.
The right hemisphere also processes non-verbal communication, influencing the ability to interpret tone of voice or facial expressions. Patients might also exhibit reduced attention to the left side of their body or surroundings, a condition called left-sided neglect. This can lead to a lack of awareness of body parts on the left side or even ignoring items in their left visual field. Additionally, right hemisphere damage can sometimes lead to impulsive behaviors or a reduced awareness of one’s own deficits.
Key Symptoms of a Right-Sided Stroke
Key symptoms of a right-sided stroke often appear suddenly. These include:
- New weakness or numbness affecting the left side of the body, including the face, arm, or leg. This can make it difficult to lift both arms or cause one side of the face to droop.
- Left-sided neglect, where the individual may disregard the left side of their personal space or body, such as only eating food from the right side of a plate or failing to dress the left side of their body.
- Visual field problems, such as a loss of vision in the left field of both eyes.
- Spatial disorientation, causing trouble with judging distances or understanding maps.
- Impulsive behavior or a lack of insight into physical limitations.
- Emotional changes, such as a flat emotional expression or difficulty recognizing emotions in others.
Right vs. Left: Different Impacts
The location of a stroke, whether in the right or left hemisphere, results in distinct patterns of impact. A right-sided stroke often leads to challenges with spatial awareness, attention, and the perception of non-verbal cues, causing individuals to struggle with visual-spatial tasks or interpreting emotions. In contrast, a stroke affecting the left side of the brain frequently results in difficulties with language and logical thinking. This can manifest as aphasia, impairing the ability to speak, understand, read, or write. Left-sided strokes cause weakness or paralysis on the right side of the body, mirroring the contralateral control.