Bilingual Patients Show Better Cognitive Function Following Stroke

Studies revealed that speaking multiple languages may provide protection against cognitive impairment following stroke. These studies show that bilingual patients are twice more likely to have normal cognitive function following stroke compared to those who only speak a single language. Bilingual patients also have better scores on attention and memory compared to single-language stroke patients.

About Stroke

According to statistics, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over 100,000 people in the country die from stroke each year while it is estimated that about 795,000 suffer from stroke annually.

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. This can happen due to a blocked artery or if a blood vessel burst. When blood supply to the brain is blocked, the brain cells are deprived of oxygen and eventually, die. When these brain cells die, certain abilities controlled by the brain are affected.

The extent of damage resulting from stroke depends on which area is affected. In mild cases, it can be just muscle control (patients experience muscle weakness as a result) while other cases may result to impairment in speech, memory, and even paralysis.

It’s possible to recover completely after stroke but about ⅔ of the stroke patients will have some sort of disability after the attack.

Hemorrhagic Stroke
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common than ischemic stroke but they are responsible to about 40% stroke-related deaths. It happens as a result of aneurysm or as a result of weakened blood vessel leak. The ‘spill’ can lead to pressure and swelling resulting to damaged brain cells and tissues.

Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and accounts for 87% of all stroke cases. This happens when the blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a clot. This clot can either be an embolus (forms somewhere in the body and made its way to the brain) or thrombus (forms inside the artery supplying blood to the brain).

TIA
There is a thing called TIA or transient ischemic attack that creates stroke-like symptoms. Although it’s not stroke, it is a warning sign that stroke can happen in the future. TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. The symptoms can occur and wear down for less than 24 hours.

Bilingualism in Improving Cognitive Function

Several studies have shown that bilingualism offers several benefits especially for adults. Older patients who learn more than one language seem to resist the effects of dementia far better than those who only learn a single language. It is consistent with the fact that continuous learning increases the brain’s capacity to function at a higher level.

Hence, it’s no longer surprising why stroke patients who are bilinguals recover better than those who only know one language.

WHAT IS NEUROLOGY?

WHAT IS NEUROLOGY

Protecting the brain and nervous system.
A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system. Pediatric neurologists are doctors with specialized training in children's neurological disorders.
A neurologist's educational background and medical training includes an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, a one-year internship and three years of specialized training. Many neurologists also have additional training in one area of neurology such as stroke, epilepsy or movement disorders.
What is the role of a neurologist?
Neurologists are principal care providers or consultants to other physicians. When a patient has a neurological disorder that requires frequent care, a neurologist is often the principal care provider. Patients with disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis may use a neurologist as their principal care physician.
In a consulting role, a neurologist will diagnosis and treat a neurological disorder and then advise the primary care physician managing the patient's overall health. For example, a neurologist would act in a consulting role for conditions such as stroke, concussion or headache.
Neurologists can recommend surgical treatment, but do not perform surgery. When treatment includes surgery, neurologists will monitor surgically treated patients and supervise their continuing treatment. Neurosurgeons are medical doctors who specialize in performing surgical treatments of the brain or nervous system.
What does a neurologist treat?
Neurologists treat disorders of the nervous system, brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles and pain. Common neurological disorders include:

Stroke Alzheimer's disease Headache Epilepsy Parkinson's disease Sleep disorders Multiple sclerosis Pain Tremor Brain and spinal cord injuries Brain tumors Peripheral nerve disorders Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

How can research help patients?
In recent years, research has advanced understanding of the brain's fundamental mechanisms. With this new understanding, neurologists are finding new treatments and, ultimately, cures for many neurological diseases, which are among the most destructive and costly public health problems in the United States.
For example, research breakthroughs now allow neurologists to successfully treat stroke patients with clot-busting medication proven to reduce deaths and decrease disability. Research developments have also produced new medications that relieve migraines, slow the progression of multiple sclerosis and improve movement in Parkinson's patients. These are just a few of the many advances gained from research that are improving the lives of millions of men and women around the world suffering from neurological disorders.
To keep research advancing toward future cures and treatments, it's important for patients to advocate for additional research funding. Contact your members of Congress and ask them to support neurology research.