Can Stress Alone Cause a Stroke?
If you’ve already had a stroke, you might know the answer. Then again, you might not. Most people already understand that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase a person’s risk of stroke. But without those negative situations, can plain old stress cause a stroke? Unfortunately, studies have shown so, all around the world….
Dear Joyce: Unneeded Weight Gain For This Stroke Survivor During Pandemic
Dear Joyce, As if life isn’t bad enough, I gained 18 pounds during the pandemic because I’m going to the refrigerator more often than I should. I live in an apartment and the refrigerator is right there! The problem is, I had a stroke 6 years ago and, from being in so much, it was…
Why Do I Have Post Stroke Fatigue?
This question was asked by me to the Strokefocus.net Forum and the answers come from my researching Post Stroke Fatigue. I believe you will find this information useful. So here goes: Dear Me: I don’t want to take a nap. I need to take a nap. Why is that so? Need, Not Want Dear Need, Not Want: In the…
Scared About Losing Part of Your Vision After Stroke
(This next request comes from the Strokefocus.net Forum. Though it wasn’t addressed to me specifically, the answer is useful and I believe I should share it). Dear Joyce, What can I do to improve my peripheral vision? I phoned my opthalmologist (who did my lens replacement some years ago) and was told nothing can be…
Hope for Stroke-Paralyzed Arm?
Dear Joyce, What are the chances of my arm, that hasn’t move at all after a hemorrhagic stroke, getting better? I’ve been doing exercises on and off for 5 years and I occasionally fell for lack of balance. I was told that I have a three-month window from the date I had the stroke for improvement…
Aphasia Survivor Worried
Dear Joyce, My stroke was over 10 years ago, and though my cognitive skills are sharp and my stress is low, my aphasia is slipping slightly. Should I be worried and anything to do to keep the aphasia level from dropping? Worried in Pennsylvania Dear Worried, By “slipping slightly,” I believe you mean that aphasia…
Triggers Understandably Bother TBI Survivor
Dear Joyce, I have noticed that my high and low points are more noticeable after my TBI. As a result, a rather small health issue seems to trigger other parts of the body. For example, if my leg is sore, it triggers my headache and then, it triggers an upset stomach. Is that…
I Hate Eating While Speech Therapist for Stroke Watches
Dear Joyce, I’m so happy that the rehabilitation hospital stay had ended. Aside from all the other things after my stroke, the one event I disliked the most was the speech therapist watching me eat several meals. The doctor was afraid that I couldn’t swallow my food. I got nervous and anxious when she stared…
After Stroke, Therapists and Aides Are Too Busy to Train on Toileting
Dear Joyce, At my rehab hospital, OTs evaluated how stroke survivors get on and off a toilet with the help of a grab bar. Aides dealt with all other toileting skills. Aides have large caseloads, so to stay on schedule and they do everything for their clients. Toileting after a stroke survivor goes home can…