What is Sensory Loss After a Stroke

A stroke can damage parts of your brain that control your body’s normal functions, including your senses. As a result, you may have sensory loss, such as trouble seeing, tasting, swallowing, or feeling touch or pressure sensations.

You may have problems feeling temperature changes or moving your body in a coordinated way. You may also perceive smell differently.

You may have problems with all of your senses or only some of them. By following a treatment plan, you may recover lost senses and manage the changes to your lifestyle.

What are treatment therapies for sensory loss?

You may have a combination of therapies for sensory loss.

• Physical therapy. This may include:
  • Exercises to improve your coordination and balance.
  • Exercises that combine touch, balance, and movement (sensorimotor training).
  • Movements to relieve pressure while you are sitting or lying (mobility training).
  • Splints or braces to protect parts of your body that you cannot feel.
• Devices to help with blood flow (circulation) and to help stimulate nerves in affected parts of your body.
• Speech therapy to help you swallow safely.
• Occupational therapy to help you with everyday tasks. This may include:
  • Exercises or devices to improve your vision.
  • Exercises to help you increase your touch perception. These may include feeling objects of different sizes and textures while your eyes are closed.
  • Techniques for moving safely in your environment.
• Prescription eye glasses for vision loss.
• Hearing aids for hearing loss.

Follow these instructions at home:

Safety

• Your risk of falling is higher after a stroke. You may have difficulty feeling your legs and feet or coordinating your movements. To lower your risk of falling:
  • Use devices to help you move around (assistive devices), such as a wheelchair or walker, as directed by your health care team.
  • Wear prescription eye glasses at all times when moving around.
  • Use lights to help you see in the dark.
  • Use grab bars in bathrooms and handrails in stairways.
  • Keep walkways clear in your home by removing rugs, cords, and clutter from the floor.
• Your risk of getting burned is higher after a stroke. To lower your risk of burns:
  • Test the water temperature before taking a bath or washing your hands.
  • Allow hot foods to cool slightly before eating.
  • Use potholders when handling hot pans.
• When using sharp objects, such as scissors or knives, use your healthy hand. Do not handle sharp objects with your hand that was affected by your stroke, if this applies.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Avoid spending too much time sitting or lying down. If you must be in a chair or bed, change positions regularly.
• You may have problems doing your normal activities. Ask your health care provider about getting extra help at home.

Eating and drinking

• You may have problems swallowing food and fluids after a stroke. The problems can be due to:
  • Changes in your muscles.
  • Sensory changes, such as:
    • Difficulty feeling the consistency or size of a piece of food in your mouth.
    • Inability to feel the need to clear your throat.
• You may need to:
  • Take smaller bites and chew thoroughly. Make sure you have swallowed all the food in your mouth before you take another bite.
  • Sit in an upright position when eating or drinking.
  • Avoid distractions while eating or drinking.
  • Stay upright for 30–45 minutes after eating.
  • Change the texture of some things that you eat and drink. This may include:
    • Changing foods to a smooth, mashed consistency (puree).
    • Thickening liquids.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking restrictions.

General instructions

• Wear arm or leg braces as told by your health care team.
• Get help at home as needed. You may need help getting dressed, bathing, using the bathroom, eating, or doing other activities.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care providers. This is important.

Summary

• It is common to have sensory loss after a stroke. Sensory loss means that you have problems with some or all of your senses, such as vision, taste, hearing, smell, and touch.
• Sensory loss happens because of damage to your brain and nervous system after a stroke.
• Treatment for sensory loss may include physical, occupational, or speech therapy, and the use of assistive devices.
• You may need to make changes to your home and lifestyle after a stroke to help you live safely and independently.