Neurology-Online

Dizziness after stroke

introduction

A stroke can have many different consequences. These depend on the location, the type of stroke, as well as the severity and the time that elapses until treatment. Many people suffer from dizziness after a stroke. This can sometimes persist for several years after a stroke.
Most people experience dizziness in certain situations, such as high concentration or physical activity such as climbing stairs. The underlying cause is usually damage to various structures in the brain caused by the stroke.

Why is dizziness common after a stroke?

A stroke can have far-reaching consequences. This is because a stroke causes damage to brain tissue. Whether the stroke is a vascular occlusion or a bleeding plays only a subordinate role in the impact.

If dizziness occurs after a stroke, the location of the stroke is in many cases in the cerebellum or a section of the cerebellum. This part of the brain is responsible for movement and coordination.
Many different nerve tracts run here, which are very important for balance. Various structures, such as the eyes and the organ of equilibrium, are linked to one another via nerves. This ensures an exchange of information about the different signals of the body and the brain gets information about where and in which position the body is currently.When a stroke occurs in the cerebellum, these structures are damaged. This allows the stroke to express itself through these symptoms. But they are often also a consequence of the stroke if there is permanent damage to the structures, since nerve tissue can hardly recover from major damage.

Another possible cause is a dysregulation of blood pressure due to the stroke. The blood pressure is lowered too much. This can lead to dizziness, especially if you change your body position. Various medications to be taken after a stroke can also cause dizziness.

Find out all about the topic here: Cerebellar infarction.

The accompanying symptoms

Various symptoms can occur after a stroke. It depends on the location of the stroke. The duration of the symptoms or consequences that occur also depends on the damage.
If dizziness occurs after a stroke, it can persist for several months to years. The type of vertigo is usually described as diffuse and fluctuating. For many people, the dizziness is aggravated by certain situations, for example when you concentrate on reading for a long time or when climbing stairs.

In addition to dizziness, many other accompanying symptoms can occur after a stroke. Most often these include language or speech disorders, i.e. problems with articulation or the meaningfulness of sentences. Paralysis or movement disorders are also very common. This can lead to gait disorders or problems with balance in some people affected.
Furthermore, paralysis in the throat muscles can lead to swallowing disorders. Visual disturbances after a stroke, such as restrictions in the field of vision, are also a possible accompanying symptom. Problems with attention or the perception of pain, touch and temperature can also occur. A stroke can lead to personality changes somewhat less frequently.

Find out more about the:

Stroke Symptom Test - I can test this myself
Signs of a stroke.

The diagnosis

The diagnosis of dizziness after a stroke is primarily made on the basis of the medical history, i.e. the doctor-patient conversation. Here, the more detailed circumstances of the stroke itself, as well as currently occurring symptoms are clarified in more detail.

Depending on the location of the stroke, more precise conclusions can often be drawn about the symptoms. In addition, there are usually various tests to check the functioning of the equilibrium organ or to check the setting of the blood pressure. The reason for this is the clarification of possible other causes for the occurrence of the vertigo.

The treatment

The treatment of dizziness after a stroke depends on the exact cause and severity of the dizziness and possible accompanying symptoms. Since the dizziness in many cases is the result of damage to the cerebellum or a section of the cerebellum, the cause cannot be eliminated directly.
By treating the stroke itself early on, the extent of the damage can be kept as small as possible, which also has a positive effect on the possible consequences.

In order to reduce the long-term consequences, such as dizziness, as far as possible, it is very important to start rehabilitation early. Various exercises and processes are practiced in a targeted manner in order to be able to reintegrate those affected into everyday life after the stroke. In the case of dizziness, for example, exercises on how to deal with the symptom correctly are included.
The blood circulation can also be stimulated by various techniques, such as regular hot and cold showers and sufficient exercise. This helps reduce dizziness. In the case of pronounced attacks of dizziness, drugs such as dimenhydrinate may also be helpful.

For more information, read on: Therapy of a stroke.

Homeopathy

For dizziness after a stroke, there are various homeopathic remedies that can reduce the dizziness. This includes, for example, Ferrum phosphoricum, which mainly improves dizziness caused by circulatory problems. This can be helpful in the event of an incorrect blood pressure setting due to the stroke.

Ambra grisea can also improve dizziness and sleep disorders. Many people who have had a stroke also suffer from fear of another event. Argentum nitricum can be helpful here, as it also alleviates the nervousness that occurs.

The course of the disease

The course of dizziness after a stroke varies greatly and depends on the extent of the damage to the brain. In some people, the dizziness lasts for a few days or weeks and then disappears during the rehabilitation period. Accordingly, the course of the disease can be very mild.
But it also happens that the dizziness persists for years after the stroke. In this case, an attempt should be made to maintain the suitability for everyday use so that the dizziness does not have an overly restrictive effect.

The stroke can lead to other serious consequences. Find out more at: These are the consequences of a stroke!
Find out all about the topic here: Stroke.

Prognosis

The duration of dizziness after a stroke can vary greatly depending on the severity and location of the stroke. The dizziness often lasts a few days to weeks after the stroke and can be successfully reduced through efficient and early rehabilitation. Occasionally, however, the dizziness persists for years after the stroke, which worsens the prognosis and the prospect of permanent improvement in the dizziness.

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