Is it normal to sleep a lot after a stroke?

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a prevalent symptom among stroke survivors. This symptom is an independent risk factor for stroke and may reduce stroke survivors' quality of life, cognitive functioning, and daytime functional performance.


How long does tiredness last after a stroke?

Regarding the duration of fatigue after stroke, acute fatigue can last up to 6 months, whereas the chronic type can persist in 40% of patients after 2 years. Another study reported fatigue to be still present in one-third of patients up to 6 years after stroke onset.

Is sleep good for stroke recovery?

Sleep is critical, but sleep problems may follow after a stroke. Poor sleep can slow your recovery and lead to depression, memory problems and night-time falls. The good news is there are ways to improve your sleep.


What causes excessive sleeping after a stroke?

Two-thirds of stroke survivors have a condition known as sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), which is characterized by abnormal breathing patterns that interrupt your sleep during the night. As a result of SDB, you may be very sleepy during the day and have more difficulty concentrating or solving problems.

What are good signs after a stroke?

Here are seven signs that you are recovering well from a stroke.
  • #1 You Make Your Best Progress Right Away. ...
  • #2 You Are More Independent. ...
  • #3 You Can Cross Your Legs. ...
  • #4 You Find Yourself Sleeping More. ...
  • #5 You Find the Need to Compensate Less with Technique. ...
  • #6 Your Spastic Muscles Are Twitching.


Sleeping after stroke



How long does it take for the brain to settle after a stroke?

It takes about three months after the stroke for neuroplasticity to return to a more normal state. After that, a survivor can still work on regaining function and practice for improvement, but those improvements may come at a slower pace.”

How long does it take the brain to heal after a stroke?

The most rapid recovery usually occurs during the first three to four months after a stroke, but some survivors continue to recover well into the first and second year after their stroke. Some signs point to physical therapy.

How do I stop post stroke fatigue?

Helpful Tips
  1. Eat healthy. The best thing you can do for your body while it heals is to provide the best fuel possible. ...
  2. Talk to your doctor. Fatigue can be a symptom of depression, along with symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. ...
  3. Exercise. ...
  4. Talk to your family and friends.


How likely is a second stroke?

Even after surviving a stroke, you're not out of the woods, since having one makes it a lot more likely that you'll have another. In fact, of the 795,000 Americans who will have a first stroke this year, 23 percent will suffer a second stroke.

What should you not do after a stroke?

Three Things Not to Do When Someone Is Having a Stroke
  1. Do not let that person go to sleep or talk you out of calling 911. Stroke survivors often complain of suddenly feeling very sleepy when a stroke first happens. ...
  2. Do not give them medication, food, or drinks. ...
  3. Do not drive yourself or someone else to the emergency room.


Are naps good for stroke patients?

Investigators reported that people who frequently naps may have an increased risk of high blood pressure and ischemic stroke by 12% compared to people who do not nap. For some, there is nothing more refreshing than taking a nap.


What heals the brain after a stroke?

The initial recovery following stroke is most likely due to decreased swelling of brain tissue, removal of toxins from the brain, and improvement in the circulation of blood in the brain. Cells damaged, but not beyond repair, will begin to heal and function more normally.

Can your brain improve after a stroke?

The short answer is yes; the brain can heal after acute trauma from a stroke or brain injury, although the degree of recovery will vary. The reason the brain can recover at all is through neuroplasticity, sometimes referred to as brain plasticity.

How much rest is needed after a stroke?

1–3 Months Post-Stroke

“The first three months after a stroke are the most important for recovery and when patients will see the most improvement,” says Raghavan. During this time, most patients will enter and complete an inpatient rehabilitation program, or make progress in their outpatient therapy sessions.


Is post stroke fatigue permanent?

Fatigue may improve with time but it can also be persistent and some patients may never be completely free of it. Tasks that may have come easily before the stroke may be harder and therefore require more energy then they previously would.

How do you cheer up a stroke victim?

Offering A Hand: 9 Ways To Support A Friend After A Stroke
  1. Get the details. A stroke can affect people differently. ...
  2. Offer emotional support. ...
  3. Encourage self-sufficiency whenever possible. ...
  4. Help with rehabilitation. ...
  5. Stay connected. ...
  6. Be a cheerleader. ...
  7. Use your muscles. ...
  8. Learn the best way to communicate.


What are the three main causes of strokes?

A stroke happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. It is an emergency situation. It can be caused by a narrowed blood vessel, bleeding, or a clot that blocks blood flow.


How can you prevent a stroke from happening again?

Managing blood pressure levels, reducing or quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and regular physical activity will reduce the risk of a second stroke, along with managing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

What does stroke fatigue feel like?

Characteristics of post-stroke fatigue may include: overwhelming tiredness and lack of energy to perform daily activities; abnormal need for naps, rest, or extended sleep; more easily tired by daily activities than pre-stroke; unpredictable feelings of fatigue without apparent reason.

Are you ever the same after a stroke?

You are still the same person, but a stroke may change the way you respond to things. It's not always possible to go back to the way you were before a stroke, but you can get help and support to make the best recovery possible for you. It can be hard for the people around you if they feel you've changed.


What helps stroke patients recover faster?

How to Increase the Chance of Fast Stroke Recovery
  • Don't Overdo Physical Activity. Exercise is crucial because it increases the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the brain. ...
  • Follow a Healthy Diet. Creating more neurons is the key to quick stroke recovery. ...
  • Get Plenty of Rest. ...
  • Use Respite Care.


Which drink is good for stroke patients?

To recap, your best choices are hydrating beverages that contain minimal calories, sugar or salt. Reach for water, coffee or tea most often. And keep a water bottle handy – the visual cue reminds you to keep sipping.

Can symptoms worsen after a stroke?

If you experience rapid, sudden worsening of stroke secondary effects, then it's time to seek medical attention immediately. But if changes are smaller, it could just be the natural process of recovery. Sometimes you'll take two steps forward and one step backward.


What are the signs of a second stroke?

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Another Stroke
  • Sudden trouble with vision from one or both eyes.
  • Sudden difficulties with walking, coordination, dizziness, and/or balance.
  • Sudden trouble with speaking, confusion, memory, judgment or understanding.


Should stroke patients watch TV?

When communicating with a stroke survivor who has communication problems (aphasia), it is helpful to: Be patient. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV, limit extraneous noise.