Left-Sided Stroke Signs, Long-Term Effects, and Treatment

A left-sided stroke is a stroke that damages the left side of the brain. This type of stroke typically causes language and speech problems, as well as physical symptoms that affect the right side of the body. A stroke can be ischemic (caused by an obstruction) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding in the brain).

A stroke is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Treatment may include blood thinners, fluid management, and/or medication or surgery to remove a blood clot or relieve pressure in the skull. Recovery may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

This article discusses the types of left-sided strokes, as well as signs, effects, treatment, and prevention.

Types of Left-Sided Strokes

Most of the time, strokes are caused by insufficient blood supply to a region of the brain. Ischemia is a lack of blood supply due to blockage or narrowing of a blood vessel. 

Sometimes, a stroke can occur due to a hemorrhage (bleeding) often caused by a leaking blood vessel.

Ischemic

An ischemic stroke causes damage to a region of the brain that is supplied by the blood vessel that is obstructed (blocked).

This type of stroke can occur due to atherosclerotic disease within the blood vessels of the brain (hardening and narrowing due to a buildup of cholesterol plaques). Changes in blood vessels leading to narrowing and ischemic stroke may also be caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.

Ischemic strokes may also occur due to a blood clot traveling to the brain from the heart or the carotid artery.

Hemorrhagic 

A hemorrhagic stroke can occur due to a ruptured brain aneurysm (a bulging area in the wall of an artery), a damaged blood vessel that leaks, or damage that occurred during an ischemic stroke. 

A hemorrhagic stroke can cause tissue death (infarction) in the area of the brain that is supplied by the bleeding blood vessel. Additionally, the accumulation of blood can cause further damage in nearby areas.

Brain damage from a hemorrhagic stroke can lead to seizures (uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain) due to irritation from the bleeding. In some people, seizures can persist even after the blood is completely reabsorbed. This most commonly occurs when the blood affects an area of the brain that controls motor function.

Signs of a Left-Sided Stroke

There are several signs of a left-sided stroke. They include:

• Weakness in the face, arm, and/or leg on the right side of the body
• Decreased sensation on the right side of the body 
• Effortful or slurred speech 
• Speaking fluently but with incorrect or nonword content
• Difficulty understanding language
• Changes in visual perception
• Severe and sudden head pain 
• Sudden dizziness or loss of balance 
• Confusion 
• Left-sided sensory and motor symptoms if the stroke involves areas known as the cerebellum and brain stem

Get immediate medical attention if you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms. A stroke is a medical emergency that can worsen quickly, causing disability or death. The long-term effects can be minimized if treatment is started promptly. 

Long-Term Effects of a Left-Sided Stroke 

The lasting effects of a left-sided stroke range from mild to severe, depending on the size of the stroke and the timing of treatment. 

Paralysis and Weakness

Hemiplegia and hemiparesis can occur on the right side of the body after a left-sided stroke:

• Hemiplegia is complete paralysis, and it can affect the right side of the face, arm, and/or leg after a left-sided stroke.
• Hemiparesis is partial weakness with some residual strength. 

Immediately after a left-sided stroke, right-body hemiplegia or hemiparesis will be apparent. After months or longer, the weak areas of the body can become gradually stronger and more coordinated. Individuals with moderate-to-severe weakness are more likely to experience spasticity, with stiffness and tightness of the muscles. 

Decreased Sensation on the Right Side 

Diminished sensation on the right side of the body can occur after a stroke involving the left sensory cortex or the left internal capsule. Diminished sensation can involve the face, arm, and/or leg, and sometimes the torso. 

Sensory impairment can indirectly affect your ability to control your body because you rely on sensory feedback to coordinate your movements. 

In addition to decreased sensation, sometimes paresthesias can occur in the same areas that have diminished sensation. Paresthesias involve numbness, tingling, burning, or a sense of pins and needles. They can occur when the specific area of the body is touched or without a trigger. 

Speech and Language Problems 

A left-sided stroke can cause a range of problems with speech, language, and swallowing.

Aphasia

Left-sided strokes are known to cause aphasia, which is a language deficit. There are several types of aphasia, and they occur when one or more of the speech areas of the brain are damaged. 

Wernicke’s aphasia, also called fluent aphasia, causes difficulty understanding language. A person who has this type of aphasia can speak fluently, but the words do not make sense. Wernicke’s aphasia can occur when there is damage to the language area near the left sensory cortex of the brain. 

Broca’s aphasia is a type of language deficit in which a person may have full or mildly impaired language comprehension, with difficulty forming words and sentences. This type of aphasia occurs when there is damage to the language area near the left motor cortex of the brain. 

Dysphagia

A stroke can cause difficulty swallowing, which is also known as dysphagia. This can happen if the stroke affects the part of the brain that coordinates your swallowing muscles.

Stoke may also cause problems with swallowing because of its effect on the muscles around your mouth, your ability to sit up straight, and how you use eating utensils. 

Apraxia of Speech

Speech apraxia is difficulty with the brain's control of the motor movements of speech. Unlike dysphagia, which is not specific to damage on one side of the brain and affects speech and swallowing, speech apraxia is a type of language impairment.

Apraxia of speech can occur as a result of damage to the left insular cortex, an area deep in the left hemisphere of the brain.

Vision Problems

After a left-sided stroke involving the temporal lobe, parietal lobe, or occipital cortex at the back of the brain, a person can have vision defects on the right side. Homonymous hemianopia from a left-sided stroke is vision loss on the right visual field of both eyes. It can affect the upper or lower field of vision or both. 

Cognitive Impairments

After a stroke affecting the left hemisphere of the brain, a person can develop difficulty thinking and making decisions. These cognitive deficits, often described as executive dysfunction, can occur due to damage of the left frontal lobe, left temporal lobe, or left parietal lobe. Generally, a larger stroke is expected to cause more severe cognitive impairments.

Treatment for Left-Sided Strokes

A stroke should be treated immediately after symptoms begin. Calling for emergency transport to the hospital is important to get rapid and proper medical attention on arrival.

 Treatment for an Ischemic Stroke

The first line of treatment for an ischemic stroke is a medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). It helps break up the blood clot that is causing the blockage in your brain. This medication is usually given within the first three hours after symptoms begin. Depending on the circumstances, some healthcare providers may give tPA up to four-and-a-half hours after symptoms start.

If you can't have tPA, you may be given a blood thinner to help stop the blood clot from growing and prevent new ones from forming.

Some people require surgery to remove the clot in the brain, called a thrombectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon places a long, flexible tube into an artery in your thigh and maneuvers it into the blocked artery. A surgical device is then used to remove the blockage.

Treatment for a Hemorrhagic Stroke

Treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke typically includes blood pressure medication to help reduce the strain on the blood vessels in your brain. You may also receive vitamin K, which can help stop bleeding.

Medical procedures used to treat a hemorrhagic stroke include surgery to clamp the aneurysm and stop the bleeding. A similar procedure called coil embolization involves threading a long, flexible tube through an artery in your upper thigh and into the brain. A tiny coil that helps blood clot is then inserted into the aneurysm.

You may also need surgery to drain excess fluid or pooled blood. Sometimes, a part of the skull is temporarily removed in order to relieve pressure. You may also need a blood transfusion to replace blood lost during the stroke or during surgery.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

After your condition is stabilized, treatment focuses on recovery and rehabilitation. Patients who qualify for and complete a course of intensive/acute rehabilitation may have better outcomes and lower mortality (rates of death) than those who do not get this care.

After a stroke, reach out for support to get the help you need to recover. It can take time and hard work, but it is important to be patient and maintain connections. Friends and family can help greatly by learning the effects of a left-sided stroke and modifying expectations, especially with communication.

All neurological rehabilitation takes time but can substantially help a person improve their ability to communicate with others and function independently.

• Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can help you improve your motor control. Your physical therapist will have you do exercises that help strengthen your muscles and improve your balance. This work can help you regain your ability to stand and walk.
  
• Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist will work with you on the skills you need to manage your daily life. This may include eating, dressing, bathing, and cooking. Working with an occupational therapist can help you regain your independence.
• Speech Therapy: A speech therapist will work with you if you are having trouble speaking or comprehending speech. A speech therapist can also help you with reading and writing. Speech therapy can also help you manage cognitive difficulties and swallowing problems.

The time it takes to recover from a left-sided stroke depends on how severe the stroke was and the amount of damage done. It can take months or longer to improve after a stroke. A person may recover almost completely or have substantial permanent handicaps after a stroke. 

Prevention 

After you have had a stroke, you are at higher risk of having another one. It is important that you follow your healthcare provider's guidance for preventing another stroke.

Stroke prevention is a comprehensive strategy that involves reducing the risk of cerebrovascular disease. Prevention involves medication, diet, and lifestyle approaches. 

Stroke prevention includes:

• Smoking cessation 
• Cholesterol and triglyceride control 
• Blood pressure control 
• Blood sugar control 
• Management of heart disease, including abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation 

Summary 

A left-sided stroke affects the left side of the brain and the right side of the body. This type of stroke can also cause cognitive and language problems, which can include difficulty with comprehension and/or speech.

A stroke is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment can help prevent disability or death. Recovery after a left-sided stroke involves physical rehabilitation, as well as speech and language therapy.