The injury to the brain caused by a stroke can lead to widespread and long-lasting problems. Although some people may recover quickly, many people who have a stroke need long-term support to help them regain as much independence as possible. This process of rehabilitation depends on the symptoms and their severity.

A team of different specialists may help with your rehabilitation, including physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, and specialist nurses and doctors.

You'll be encouraged to actively participate in the rehabilitation process and work with your care team to set goals you want to achieve during your recovery.

Cognitive impact

Cognitive is a term that refers to the many processes and functions our brain uses to process information. One or more cognitive functions can be disrupted by a stroke, including:

• communication
• spatial awareness – having a natural awareness of where your body is in relation to your immediate environment
• memory
• concentration
• executive function – the ability to plan, solve problems and reason about situations
• praxis – the ability to carry out skilled physical activities, such as getting dressed or making a cup of tea

As part of your treatment, each one of your cognitive functions will be assessed, and a treatment and rehabilitation plan will be created.

You can be taught a wide range of techniques that can help you relearn disrupted cognitive functions, such as recovering your communication skills through speech and language therapy.

Most cognitive functions will return with time and rehabilitation, but you may find they do not return to the way they were before.

Movement problems

Strokes can cause weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and can result in problems with co-ordination and balance. Many people also experience extreme tiredness (fatigue) in the first few weeks after a stroke, and may also have difficulty sleeping, making them even more tired.

As part of your rehabilitation, you should be seen by a physiotherapist, who'll assess the extent of any physical disability before creating a treatment plan.

The physiotherapist will work with you by setting goals. At first, these may be simple goals, such as picking up an object. As your condition improves, more demanding long-term goals, such as standing or walking, will be set.

Occupational therapy may involve adapting your home or using equipment to make everyday activities easier, and finding alternative ways of achieving tasks you have problems with.

Communication problems

After having a stroke, many people experience problems with speaking and understanding, as well as reading and writing. If the parts of the brain responsible for language are damaged, this is called aphasia, or dysphasia.

If there's weakness in the muscles involved in speech as a result of brain damage, this is known as dysarthria. You should see a speech and language therapist as soon as possible for an assessment and to start therapy to help you with your communication.

This may involve:

• exercises to improve your control over your speech muscles
• using communication aids – such as letter charts and electronic aids
• using alternative methods of communication – such as gestures or writing

Swallowing problems

The damage caused by a stroke can interrupt your normal swallowing reflex, making it possible for small particles of food to enter your windpipe. Problems with swallowing is known as dysphagia. Dysphagia can lead to lung damage, which can trigger a lung infection (pneumonia).

You may need to be fed using a feeding tube during the initial phases of your recovery to prevent any complications from dysphagia. In the long term, you'll usually see a speech and language therapist several times a week to manage your swallowing problems.

Treatment may involve tips to make swallowing easier, such as taking smaller bites of food and advice on posture, and exercises to improve control of the muscles involved in swallowing. For further information on stroke recovery, check out these NHS resources (click here).