Dolda funktionshinder efter stroke

Denna studie utforskar livssituationen ett ar efter insjuknandet i en till synes latt stroke. De fysiska funktionshindren efter stroke ar vanligen patagliga for personen sjalv och narstaende. En stroke kan aven leda till symtom som inte ar direkt observerbara pa personen. Nedsatt fomaga att bearbeta och hantera information, nedsatt minne, koncentrations- och uppmarksamhetsformaga ar vanligt, liksom emotionella problem och trotthet. Konsekvenserna av stroke drabbar aven narstaendes situation. Ett ytterligare fokus i studien var att belysa livssituationen for den strokedrabbade och dennes make/maka. The aim of this study was to explore life situation after an apparently mild stroke, and to compare life satisfaction between patients and their spouses. Seventy-five patients participated. Seventy-two percent experienced mental fatigability, 40-55% memory- and, concentration problems, decreased stress tolerance, irritability, emotionalism, and/ or lack of initiative. Further 18 persons were interviewed, who experienced changes cognitively and emotionally at a level with relevance to speak of oneself as a different person. Coping included coping with fear of and risk factors for a new stroke, and to live with ”hidden dysfuntions” hard to comprehend and explain to other people. Life satisfaction was affected for both partners in the couple, although in somewhat different areas of life. Keywords: mild stroke, mild cognitive impairment, post stroke fatigue, hidden dysfunctions, spouses, life satisfaction