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elderly stroke patient known for being a heavy drinker lost ability to…
elderly stroke patient known for being a heavy drinker lost ability to speak, move his right hand entirely, and facility to move on his own.
background info
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what is a stroke- a stroke is a blockage of the blood supply to the brain. usually caused by a blockage of arteries leading to the brain(ischemic). other causes are hemorrhaging into brain tissue (hemorrhagic) or a warning stroke (transient ischemic)
strokes differ from case to case because it all depends on where the blockage occurs, what kind of stroke is occurring, and how fast the stroke is diagnosed and treatment is started
alcohol affects the brain by blocking signals between neurons leading to impulsive behavior , slurred speech, slow reflexes, and poor memory in the moment. but its long term effects are different and more severe
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Wernicke–Korsakoff Syndrome- is a a disease that consists of two separate syndromes, a short–lived and severe condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy and a long–lasting and debilitating condition known as Korsakoff’s psychosis
The symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy(short-lived) include mental confusion, paralysis of the oculomotor nerve, and difficulty with muscle coordination
Korsakoff’s psychosis( long term), a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems
liver damage can occur after prolonged periods of drinking leading to hepatic encephalopathy. which is a decline in liver health leading to a build up of toxins in your blood stream
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upstream
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the blockage is most likely located in the left frontal lobe. this would explain why he has the inability to speak or to move his right arm
downstream
when a stroke occurs the area affected starts to lose brain cells due to the lack of nutrients that should be being transported in with blood. this disrupts any abilities associated with the area.
id tell the wife that her husband can get better but it would be very difficult because of the damage that the alcohol has most likely caused on his brain already
in order for the patient to get better, the patient has to have the clot dissolved and then go through with rehabilitation and after a while, the brain starts to heal itself through plasticity and the patient slowly regain the abilities that where hindered . but if the patient continues to drink heavily he will continue to damage his brain