Stroke is the most common cause of disability
resulting from damage to the nervous system. A stroke may affect:
- Movement. You may not be able to use your arms or
walk. This is usually because of weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
(hemiparesis).
- Speech and language. You may not be able to speak,
read, or write. Also, you may not be able to understand what someone else is
saying.
- Thinking and reasoning. You may not be able to think
clearly. The stroke may cause you to act differently than you did before the
stroke.
- Senses. You may not be able to feel when something or
someone touches your affected body parts, such as the arms or legs. Your sight
or hearing (rare) may be affected.
