According to Dr. Vu Thi Hoang Yen from the Department of Neurology and Stroke at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, post-stroke sequelae manifest as diverse disabilities, with patients often experiencing multiple issues concurrently. These complications can range from mild and reversible to severe and permanent. The following outlines some common problems observed in stroke survivors.

Hemiplegia, or weakness on one side of the body, is the most common motor complication following a stroke. This occurs due to damage to the central motor pathways, specifically the pyramidal tract. Patients experience reduced or complete loss of muscle strength on the side of the body opposite the brain lesion, potentially impacting the face, arm, leg, or an entire half of the body.

This condition significantly impairs a patient's ability to perform daily activities such as walking, grasping objects, and self-care. If the cerebellum is damaged, patients may also experience balance disorders, leading to falls or prolonged functional dependence.

The extent of recovery hinges on the lesion's location and size, the time to reperfusion, and the initiation of early rehabilitation. Comprehensive motor rehabilitation, encompassing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and diligent control of cardiovascular risk factors, is crucial for improving patients' motor function and overall quality of life.

Language disorders affect about 25% of stroke patients, mainly stemming from damage to language centers in the dominant hemisphere, usually the left. Patients may exhibit reduced or lost expressive abilities, such as difficulty speaking, hesitant speech, or incomplete sentences. They might also struggle with receptive language, finding it hard to understand others' speech or writing. The type of aphasia—motor, sensory, or the most severe global aphasia—depends on the brain lesion's location and extent. This complication significantly impairs communication and overall quality of life.

Psychological or emotional disorders often follow a stroke, resulting from damage to brain areas that regulate emotions and behavior. Patients commonly experience post-stroke depression, anxiety, irritability, personality shifts, or uncontrollable emotional outbursts.

These psychological disturbances can hinder motor recovery, reduce treatment adherence, and diminish overall quality of life. Early screening, psychological interventions, antidepressants when necessary, and comprehensive rehabilitation are vital for improving patients' long-term prognosis.

Urinary incontinence can result from damage to bladder control centers in the cerebral cortex, brainstem, or central neural pathways, impairing the ability to control the detrusor muscle and urethral sphincter.

This complication often leads to urinary urgency, frequent urination, uncontrolled leakage, or urinary retention. To manage this, patients benefit from rehabilitation strategies including pelvic floor muscle exercises to improve sphincter control, timed voiding schedules, and prescribed medications to regulate bladder function.

Stroke prevention requires diligent management of blood pressure, blood sugar, and dyslipidemia, alongside active treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is equally important, which includes quitting smoking, moderating alcohol intake, consuming a low-salt diet, reducing saturated fats, increasing vegetable and fruit consumption, and engaging in regular physical activity. These measures collectively boost overall health and significantly lower the risk of stroke complications.

Hang Tran