A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted, causing brain cells to die. This interruption can happen from a blocked blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain is divided into two hemispheres, each controlling different functions. A stroke can lead to lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death, requiring rapid medical intervention.
The Right Hemisphere’s Role
The right hemisphere of the brain plays a distinct role in various cognitive and physical functions. It primarily controls movement and sensation on the left side of the body. Beyond motor control, this hemisphere is deeply involved in spatial awareness, enabling individuals to navigate environments and understand relationships between objects.
The right brain also contributes to non-verbal communication, such as interpreting tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. It is associated with creativity, artistic expression, and a holistic perspective. Visual perception, attention, and processing visual information are additional functions of the right hemisphere.
Physical and Sensory Impairments
A stroke affecting the right side of the brain commonly results in observable physical and sensory impairments on the left side of the body. This can manifest as weakness, known as hemiparesis, or complete paralysis, termed hemiplegia, affecting the left arm, leg, and facial muscles. These motor deficits can significantly impact a person’s ability to move and perform daily tasks.
Sensory loss, such as numbness or altered sensation, may also occur on the left side of the body. Visual field deficits are another common consequence, particularly homonymous hemianopsia, where vision is lost in the left half of the visual field in both eyes. Additionally, issues with balance and coordination can arise, affecting mobility and increasing the risk of falls.
Cognitive and Behavioral Changes
Beyond physical effects, a right-side brain stroke can lead to significant cognitive and behavioral alterations. One prominent condition is left-sided neglect, also known as unilateral neglect or hemispatial neglect, where individuals have reduced awareness or attention to stimuli on their left side, even though their vision may be intact. This can lead to them only eating from the right side of a plate or bumping into objects on their left.
Impulsivity is common, characterized by a reduced ability to think ahead or understand consequences, which can lead to unsafe actions. Spatial disorientation can make navigating and understanding object relationships challenging, affecting wayfinding and daily activities.
Attention deficits, memory problems (especially for non-verbal information), and difficulty processing information are also common. Changes in emotional expression, such as a flat affect or difficulty interpreting others’ emotions, and conditions like pseudobulbar affect (uncontrollable emotional outbursts) can also occur.
Navigating Recovery
Recovery from a right-side brain stroke is an ongoing process that involves comprehensive rehabilitation. Early intervention is important, with therapies often beginning within 24 hours of medical stabilization. These therapies aim to restore function and help individuals adapt to changes.
Physical therapy focuses on improving motor skills, strength, and mobility, particularly on the affected left side. Occupational therapy helps individuals regain independence in daily activities, such as self-care and household tasks. Speech therapy, while often associated with language, also addresses cognitive functions like object recognition and swallowing difficulties. A supportive environment and consistent practice of exercises are important for promoting neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire and heal itself.