Table of contents:
- Possible post stroke behavior changes
- Changes in sexual life with a partner after stroke
- 1. Fear of another stroke
- 2. Decreased libido
- 3. Paralysis
- 4. Damage to areas of the brain that regulate sex
- Changes in daily activities after stroke
- Changes in post-stroke exercise activity
Even though you have gone through a critical period of stroke, it does not mean that this condition does not have any impact on your daily life and activities. After a stroke, there are still some impacts that may arise. Moreover, if you are not consistent in maintaining your health condition, stroke may occur again at a later date. Not to mention, the symptoms of stroke are still lingering. So, what are the actual effects that might occur in your life after a stroke?
Possible post stroke behavior changes
Some patients admit to experiencing various kinds of emotional problems after a stroke. Depression and anxiety disorders are common problems that often occur after a stroke.
As a result, some patients have difficulty controllingmood and emotions that can change suddenly. This sometimes makes stroke patients irritable, suddenly cries, laughs and even gets angry for no apparent reason.
Whereas the way patients behave often depends on how to manage feelings after a stroke. So if a person's emotions change after a stroke, their behavior tends to change too.
Therefore, it is possible if the patient becomes more silent, feels indifferent or less interested in things he used to like. In addition, frustration at not being able to do something for themselves or being upset because they have difficulty communicating can also make them aggressive towards others.
However, over time, the patient will begin to accept and begin to get used to the changes that occur in him. So, slowly emotional problems and behavior will improve.
The improvement of the patient's emotional and behavioral problems cannot be separated from the role of family and close relatives who help in providing support.
That is why, it is very important for patient nurses to never get bored in providing moral support and confidence to post-stroke patients if their condition will recover over time.
Changes in sexual life with a partner after stroke
Not only changes in behavior, you may also experience changes in your sexual life with your partner after having a stroke. The reason is, stroke can cause sexual dysfunction in patients who experience it. However, you don't need to worry because most of the time, this condition only happens for a short while.
There are several problems that may affect your sex life after stroke, such as:
1. Fear of another stroke
Many people believe that after a person has had a stroke, sexual arousal can lead to another stroke. But don't worry, because this condition is rare.
Unfortunately, the fear that patients have is one of the most common causes of sexual dysfunction among stroke survivors.
Furthermore, most partners of stroke sufferers also feel afraid to initiate sex for fear that their partner might suffer another stroke.
2. Decreased libido
Decreased libido after stroke is common due to several psychological factors, including low self-esteem, uncertainty about future relationships, preoccupation with financial problems, and difficulty accepting a new life that has now become disabled.
In addition, a decrease in libido can be caused by taking several medications including antidepressants, and high blood pressure medications (for example, beta-blockers).
3. Paralysis
Strokes can affect areas of the brain that control arm and leg movements, thereby preventing partners from reaching the sexual positions they enjoy most.
Of course some people are more affected by this than others, depending on the level of brain damage caused by the stroke, and the sexual abilities of the partner before the stroke.
4. Damage to areas of the brain that regulate sex
As stated above, stroke is rarely a direct cause of sexual dysfunction. However, some strokes can affect sensation in the genital area, causing a person to feel numb around their genitals.
Of course, either of these cases will make sex difficult. A stroke that affects the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls sexual hormones, can also affect a person's sexual arousal.
In some rare cases, strokes can also lead to increased sexuality, or unusual sexual behavior.
Changes in daily activities after stroke
After having a stroke, it's no wonder that several factors in your life change. One of them is daily activities, including your routine at work. Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have the potential to require you to reduce activity.
Returning to work and activities as usual after being sick will certainly feel different from before when you were still fit. Don't get too drawn into thinking about decreased work performance.
Changes in the brain and body after a stroke will certainly affect your productivity whether you are at the office, at home, or anywhere else. So, it's best not to have too high an expectation so as not to be affected by stress.
In addition, don't forget to always ask for support from those around you, including your family and friends at work. Also tell your office colleagues first aid measures for a stroke, if a recurrence occurs.
Also tell them who to call in an emergency, or even help you avoid things that can trigger a stroke recurrence. Support and cooperation with colleagues in the office is very important when you return to work after having a stroke.
Changes in post-stroke exercise activity
According to the American Stroke Association, post-stroke rehabilitation and therapy is one of the keys to helping you to recover quickly. However, not only that, you also have to regularly exercise to speed up the recovery process.
In addition, exercise after stroke can improve brain function back to normal because exercise affects hormones and changes several things in the patient's body.
The exercise that the patient does will stimulate the nerve cells that were previously passive to become active and function properly again. That way, the messages and signals of the response are conveyed. Finally, over time his cognitive abilities returned.
In addition, the exercise after stroke has various other benefits for patients, such as:
- Control cholesterol levels. Keeping the amount of cholesterol low is very important to prevent stroke recurrence in the future.
- Keep blood pressure normal.
- Helps control weight. Many people who have recovered from a stroke don't pay attention to their weight. In fact, the fatter a person is, the higher the risk of a stroke.
- Prevent depression. Depression is a common condition in people who have recently had a stroke. But with exercise, the mood andmood can get better again.
Unfortunately, you cannot be arbitrary in determining the type of exercise you want to do. Given the conditions that are not as fit as before, you must be more selective in choosing the type of exercise.
If you can move your limbs, start exercising when your doctor has declared it safe for you to exercise. Do an exercise that you enjoy and start slowly. Don't push yourself too hard.
If you are still having trouble moving your limbs, you need to undergo rehabilitation first. Consult this with your doctor so that you get the right therapy. Usually, one of the sports that can be done is post stroke gymnastics.
Once you can move your limbs back and get your doctor's permission to exercise, start slowly. Do what you can.