As a result of a stroke, the brain can be damaged. this is what happens to the brain

Stroke has various serious effects on health, one of which is the brain. Brain damage due to stroke occurs due to disrupted and not smooth blood supply. The effect of a stroke on the brain is that it can cause damage to cells in the brain that cause disturbances in senses, motor skills, behavior, language skills, memory, and the speed of stimuli in responding to things. So, what happens to the brain when someone has a stroke?

Why stroke can cause brain damage?

The brain needs a blood supply to keep it working properly. Now, if the blood flow is insufficient, the condition and work of the brain changes. Here are some things that cause brain damage due to stroke.

1. Inflammation

When toxins attack the brain during a stroke, these organs naturally try to repair themselves. However, not infrequently this effort can actually cause excessive inflammation.

As a result, brain tissue will be flooded with fluid and white blood cells that fight infection. Well, this condition can cause swelling (edema) which can damage normal brain function.

2. Excess calcium and sodium deficiency

When the brain is damaged by a stroke, calcium in the body can leak and enter the brain cells. When the blood supply to the brain is insufficient, this means that oxygen intake is also reduced.

As a result, calcium levels become imbalanced. Meanwhile, brain cells are designed to be unable to respond to large amounts of calcium. As a result, brain damage is inevitable.

In addition, sodium also functions to maintain normal brain function. But when a stroke strikes, sodium in the brain becomes imbalanced so that it can change the contents of brain cells and cause them to be damaged.

3. The formation of free radicals

Meanwhile, other factors that contribute to brain damage during stroke are free radicals. The free radicals generated during a stroke can quickly damage nearby tissue. If that happens, healthy brain cells will be affected and malfunction.

4. pH imbalance

Brain cells do not get blood supply which makes the brain lack energy to carry out its functions. As a result, this will trigger the formation of strong acid molecules which can affect the pH of the brain. Excess acid molecules can be harmful and can cause brain injury.

Various changes that occur due to post-stroke brain damage

Generally, a stroke affects only one side of the brain. That means if a stroke attacks the left side of the brain, then you will experience various problems with the right side of your body and vice versa.

However, it is not uncommon for a stroke to affect both sides of the brain. The effects of a stroke on the brain will usually cause loss of normal function in several parts of the body. The resulting effect will vary according to which brain area is affected, whether the cerebrum (right and left brain), cerebellum (upper and forebrain), and brainstem (brain stem).

Quoted from Hopkinsmedicine.org, the following are various changes that occur due to post-stroke brain damage according to the affected part.

Cerebrum (right and left brain)

The following are the effects of strokes on the right and left brain, including:

• Having problems moving the body.
  
• Cognitive disorders such as thinking and memory processes.
  
• Having problems with language skills.
• Difficulty eating and swallowing.
• Visual disturbances.
• Impaired sexual ability.
• Bowel and bladder control problems.

Cerebellum (upper and forebrain)

The following are the effects of strokes on the upper and forebrain, including:

• Coordination and balance problems.
• Dizzy
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting

Brainstem (brain stem)

The following are the effects of strokes on the brain stem, including:

• Problems with breathing and heart function.
• The inability of the body to control temperature.
• Problems with balance and coordination.
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, and speaking.
• Visual disturbances.