A thalamic stroke occurs when there’s a disruption in blood flow to the thalamus, deep in your brain. It can affect sensation, balance, speech, and memory. Your outlook after a thalamic stroke is usually favorable with prompt treatment.
A stroke occurs when there’s a disruption of blood flow to your brain. Without blood and nutrients, your brain tissue quickly begins to die, which can have lasting effects.
Thalamic strokes occur in your thalamus, a small but important part of your brain. It’s the relay station of your brain and is involved in many crucial aspects of your everyday life, including:
- speech
- memory
- balance
- motivation
- sensations of physical touch and pain
Thalamic stroke symptoms vary depending on the part of the thalamus that’s affected. However, some general symptoms of a thalamic stroke include:
- loss of sensation
- difficulties with movement or maintaining balance
- speech difficulties
- vision loss or disturbance
- sleep disturbances
- lack of interest or enthusiasm
- changes in attention span
- memory loss
Thalamic strokes often present with a set of symptoms known as
Doctor categorize strokes as either ischemic or hemorrhagic, depending on their cause.
According to the American Stroke Association, about
Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, are due to a rupture or leakage of a blood vessel into your brain.
A thalamic stroke can be either ischemic or hemorrhagic.
An ischemic thalamic stroke may be a type of lacunar stroke. These strokes affect the small blood vessels deep in your brain. Though small, lacunar strokes can produce symptoms out of proportion to their size.
Some people have a higher risk of having a thalamic stroke. Things that increase your risk include:
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- cardiovascular diseases, including arrhythmias or heart failure
- diabetes
- smoking
- history of previous stroke or heart attack
If a doctor thinks you may have had a thalamic stroke, they’ll likely start by taking an MRI or CT scan of your brain to determine the extent of the damage. They may also take a blood sample for further testing to check for blood glucose levels, platelet counts, and other information.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, they may also perform an electrocardiogram to check for any cardiovascular conditions that may have caused your stroke. You may also need an ultrasound to see how much blood is flowing through your arteries.
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. The specific treatment you’ll receive depends on whether the stroke was ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Ischemic stroke treatment
Treating strokes caused by a blocked artery usually involves:
- clot-dissolving medication to restore blood flow to your thalamus
- clot removal procedure using a catheter for larger clots
Hemorrhagic stroke treatment
Treating a hemorrhagic stroke focuses on finding and treating the source of bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, other treatments include:
- stopping medications that can thin your blood
- medication to reduce high blood pressure
- surgery to prevent blood from flowing out of the ruptured vessel
- surgery to repair other faulty arteries that have a risk of rupturing
Following a thalamic stroke, full recovery can take anywhere from weeks to months. Depending on how severe the stroke was and how quickly you received treatment, you may have some permanent symptoms.
Medication
If your stroke was due to a blood clot, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners to prevent future clots. Similarly, they might also prescribe blood pressure medications if you have high blood pressure.
If you have central pain syndrome, your doctor may prescribe medication or physical therapy to help manage your symptoms.
Depending on your overall health, you may also need medication for:
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
- diabetes
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Your doctor will likely recommend rehabilitation, usually within a day or two of having a stroke. The goal is to relearn skills that you might have lost during the stroke. More than
The type of rehabilitation you’ll need depends on the exact location and severity of your stroke. Common types include:
- physical therapy to compensate for any physical disabilities, such as not being able to use one of your hands, or to rebuild strength in stroke-damaged limbs
- occupational therapy to help you perform everyday tasks more easily
- speech therapy to help you regain lost speech abilities
- cognitive therapy to help with memory loss
- counseling or joining a support group to help you adapt to any new changes and connect with others in a similar situation
Lifestyle changes
Once you’ve had a stroke, you have a
- following a heart-healthy diet
- quitting smoking if you smoke
- getting regular exercise
- maintaining a moderate weight
As you recover, you’ll likely need a combination of medication, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes. Read more about what to expect as you recover from a stroke.
Everyone recovers from strokes differently. Depending on how severe the stroke was, you may have permanent:
- memory loss
- loss of sensation
- speech and language problems
- memory problems
However, these lingering symptoms may improve over time with rehabilitation.
Recent research suggests that people who have strokes restricted to the thalamus typically have favorable outcomes. In a
A disruption in blood flow to your thalamus causes a thalamic stroke. This can result in problems with sensation, memory, balance, and speech. It also often causes a set of symptoms known as Dejerine-Roussy Syndrome or central pain syndrome.
Prompt treatment is essential for any type of stroke in order to limit damage. If doctors can restore blood flow quickly, your outlook after a thalamic stroke is generally favorable.
Remember, having a stroke increases your risk of having another one, so it’s very important to stick to the plan you and your doctor come up with to reduce your risks, whether it involves medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all three.