Acute stroke – a stage of stroke starting at the onset of symptoms that lasts for a few hours thereafter

Adult Day Care – Locations to drop off your loved one during the day and pick them up later in the day. These centers are designed to provide a break to the caregiver while providing the required health services of the individual, and promoting social activities for people with disabilities and individuals with increased special needs.

Agnosia – impairment of ability to recognize, or comprehend the meaning of, various sensory stimuli (e.g. finger, color, visual, tactile, position, visual-spatial agnosia)

Agraphia – inability to write

Alexia – inability to read

Aneurysm – a weak spot in the artery wall that balloons out

Aneurysm clipping – a surgical procedure for treatment of brain aneurysms, involving clamping an aneurysm from a blood vessel

Angiography – an x–ray of vessels after the injection of a radiopaque contrast material

Anosognosia – the lack of awareness or denial of disease (e.g. the patient denies anything being wrong with the stroke side)

Anticoagulants – drugs used to prevent the formation or growth of blood clots by inhibiting the coagulation actions of the blood protein thrombin; some common anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin

Antiplatelet agents – drugs used to prevent the formation or growth of blood clots by inhibiting the accumulation of platelets; some common antiplatelet agents include aspirin, plavix, aggrenox

Antithrombotics – a generic term related to either anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents

Aphasia – inability to understand or create speech

Apoptosis – a form of programmed, genetically triggered cell death involving shrinking of the cell and eventual disposal of the internal elements of the cell by the body’s immune system

Apraxia – inability to perform skilled or purposeful voluntary movement even though the person is physically able to do it

Arrhythmia – an irregular heart beat

Arteriography – an x-ray of arteries after the injection of a radiopaque contrast material

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) – a congenital disorder characterized by a complex tangled web of arteries and veins

Artery – a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Aspiration – the act of inhaling solid or liquid materials into the lungs

Aspiration pneumonia – chest infection (pneumonia)resulting from the inhalation of foreign material, usually food particles or vomit, into the bronchi; pneumonia developing secondary to the presence in the airways of fluid, blood, saliva, or gastric contents

Assisted Living – offers a place for the stroke patient to live within its own community and receive assistance and care onsite, while promoting as much independence as possible for activities of daily living.

Asteriognosis – inability to identify an object by touch

Ataxia – lack of coordination, unsteadiness

Atheroma – fatty cholesterol deposits inside of artery walls (synonym – plaque)

Atherosclerosis – a disease of arteries characterised by deposits of lipid material which make the artery hard, thick (narrow) and brittle (atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are often used interchangeably)

Bilateral – both sides of the body

Blood-brain barrier –an elaborate meshwork that surrounds blood vessels and capillaries in the brain and regulates which elements of the blood can pass through to the neurons

Brainstem – the stem-like, lower part of the brain that connects the brain’s right and left hemispheres with the spinal cord

Brainstem stroke – a stroke that strikes the brainstem

Capillaries – tiny blood vessels whose wall consists of endothelium and its basement membrane

Cardiac – relating to the heart

Cardiovascular – relating to the heart and blood vessels

Caregivers – individuals (typically family members or friends) who provide unpaid assistance to see that the physical, psychological, and/or social needs of another person are met

Carotid artery – an artery, located on either side of the neck that carries blood to the brain

Carotid endarterectomy – the operation to remove atheroma from the narrowed carotid artery (usually the internal carotid artery)

Carotid stenosis – narrowing of the carotid artery

Catheter – a medical device (tube) used to control urinary incontinence using a receptacle bag

Central pain – pain caused by damage to an area in the mid-brain called thalamus

Cerebellar stroke – a stroke that strikes the cerebellum

Cerebellum – the part of the brain at the back which is responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements

Cerebral – relating to the brain

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) – the flow of blood through the arteries that lead to the brain

Cerebral cortex – the outer layer of the brain

Cerebral edema – swelling of the brain

Cerebral hemisphere – one of the two halves of the brain

Cerebral hemorrhage – bleeding into the brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage) or into surrounding areas (subarachnoid hemorrhage)

Cerebral infarct – an area where brain cells have died (synonym – ischemic stroke)

Cerebral thrombosis – the closing off of an artery in the brain by blood clotting

Cerebrovascular accident( CVA) – an old term used for stroke (the term is falling into disuse because stroke is no longer viewed as an accident)

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) – encompasses all abnormalities in the brain resulting from pathologies of its blood vessels (narrowing, blockage)

Cholesterol – a waxy substance, produced naturally by the liver and also found in foods, that circulates in the blood

Cognition – higher intellectual (mental) functioning associated with thinking, learning, perception, and memory

Cognitive impairment – a deficiency in a person’s short or long term memory, orientation as to place, person and time, thinking and judgment

Coma – a state of deep unconsciousness when the person is not responsive or able to be aroused

Compensation – the ability of a person with impairments from stroke to perform a task (or tasks) either using the impaired limb with an adapted approach or using the unaffected limb to perform the task

• Comprehensive - located in a hospital providing around-the-clock rehabilitative nursing. One will participate in intensive rehabilitation therapy (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology) up to three hours each day, six days per week

Computed tomography (CT) scan – a series of cross-sectional x-rays of the brain and head; also called computerized axial tomography (CAT)

Confabulation – filling gaps in memory with imagined events

Continence – the ability to control urinary bladder and bowel functions

Contra lateral – the opposite side of the body

Contracture – static muscle shortening so that the muscle cannot be lengthened and loss of motion of the adjacent joint occurs

Coordination- the harmonious working together of several muscles or muscle groups in the execution of complex movements

Dementia – loss of intellectual ability (e.g. vocabulary, abstract thinking, judgment, memory loss, physical coordination) that interfere with daily activities

Depression – a reversible psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping, feeling of hopelessness, fatigue, the “blues”, and guilt

Diplopia – double vision

Drivers License/Drivers Education – stroke often cause patients to experience physical, cognitive, and motor dysfunction which can cause their drivers license to be taken away. Rules of the road may need to be relearned as well as the rules of the road. The listed locations under this category can assist in this process.

Duplex carotid scan – an ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries in the neck

Dysarthria – a motor disorder of the tongue, mouth, jaw or voice-box resulting in difficulty in producing speech

Dyslexia – difficulty with reading

Dyslipidaemia – abnormality in blood lipids

Dysphagia – inability or difficulty with swallowing

Dysphasia – difficulty with understanding or creating speech

Dysphonia – impairment of the voice

Dyspraxia – difficulty with performing skilled or purposeful voluntary movement even though the person is physically able to do it

Echocardiogram – ultrasound scan of the heart

Edema – swelling

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – a test that measures electric activity and rhythm of the heart

Electroencephalogram (EEG) – a test used to record electrical activity in the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp

Embolic stroke – a stroke caused by an embolus

Embolism – blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus

Embolus – a clot of the blood that travels in the bloodstream

Emotional lability – a condition in which the mood of the person swings rapidly (unreasonably) from one state to another (such as laughing, crying or anger)

Enteral feeding – feeding using a tube connecting with the stomach

Epidemiology – the study of factors that influences the frequency and distribution of a disease in a population

Epilepsy – seizure or fit activity involving parts of or the whole body

Extra cranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass – a type of surgery that restores blood flow to a blood-deprived area of brain tissue by rerouting a healthy artery in the scalp to the area of brain tissue affected by a blocked/narrowed artery

Flaccid – absence of muscle tone, flabby or floppy muscles

Geriatrician – a doctor who specializes in the care of the older people, primarily those who are frail and have complex medical and social problems

Glia – supportive cells of the nervous system that also play an important role in brain functioning; also called neuralgia

Handicap – reduction in a person's capacity to fulfill a social role as a consequence of disability/impairment

Health Promotion – these locations offer healthy group physical activities for the stroke patient and families to participate in.

Hematoma – a collection of blood forming a definite swelling which compresses and damages the brain around it

Hemianaesthesia – loss of sensation down one side of the body

Hemianopia – loss of half the field of vision in each eye

Hemi-inattention – ignoring space on the side of the body; sometimes called unilateral neglect

Hemiparesis – weakness on one side of the body

Hemiplegia – complete loss of movements on one side of the body

Hemisphere – one half of the brain (synonym – cerebral hemisphere)

Hemispheric stroke – a stroke that strikes one of the brain’s hemisphere

Hemorrhage – bleeding

Hemorrhagic – relating to bleeding

Hemorrhagic stroke – bleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage) or into surrounding areas (subarachnoid hemorrhage)

Heparin – a type of anticoagulant

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) – a compound consisting of a lipid and a protein that carries cholesterol in the blood and deposits it in the liver; also known as the “good” cholesterol

Home care – provides a range of supportive services in the home from intensive medical support to assistance with activities of daily living to housekeeping

Home Healthcare Agencies – offers a range of services at home. Services include specialized nursing care and therapy, hygiene assistance and toileting, medication reminders, housekeeping, meal planning, assistance with shopping and errands, and companion services.

Homeostasis – a state of equilibrium or balance in the body with respect to various functions and to the chemical compositions of the fluids and tissues

Hospice Care – care focused on providing comfort and pain relief in terminal illness. Also help the patient and family live life to the fullest and provide care at the end of life.

Hypertension – abnormally high blood pressure

Hypotension – abnormally low blood pressure

Ichaemia – a loss or reduction of blood flow to tissue

Impotence – inability to obtain or maintain penile erection

Incidence – describes the frequency with which cases of a disease occur during a certain period of time in a population

Incontinence – inability to control urinary bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel functions (bowel incontinence), or both

Infarct or infarction – area of dead or dying tissue

Insurance/Financial Assistance – agencies developed to organize and financially assist individuals with their medical expenses age 65 and older or individuals under the age of 65 with certain disabilities.

Intracerebral hemorrhage – bleeding into the brain

Intravenous – in a vein

Involuntary – ones that happen without being willed or intended

Ischaemic cascade – a series of pathophysiological and biochemical events lasting for several hours to several days following initial ischaemia

Ischaemic penumbra – area of damaged, but still living, brain cells arranged in a patchwork pattern around areas of dead brain cells

Ischaemic stroke- an area where brain cells have died (synonyms – cerebral infarct, cerebral infarction)

Lacunar infarction – a small area of dead brain often caused by stenosis or occlusion of the small arteries in the brain (from the French word “lacune” meaning “gap” or “cavity”)

Large artery disease – stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries, often due to atherosclerosis

Lawyers – specialize in areas to help you and your loved one create legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care and allocation of personal possessions ahead of time.

Lipoprotein – small globules of cholesterol covered by a layer of protein

Long term care – offer a community within itself where stroke survivors live and 24 hour care is provided. Long term care is provided when the stroke patient’s condition limits their ability to carry out basic self-care tasks.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) – a compound consisting of a lipid and a protein that carries cholesterol in the blood and deposits the excess along the inside of arterial walls; also known as the “bad” cholesterol

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) – an imaging technique involving injection of a radiopaque contrast material into a blood vessel and using magnetic resonance technique to create an image of brain arteries and veins

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan – a type of brain imaging involving the use of a powerful magnetic field to generate and measure interactions between pulsed magnetic waves and hydrogen nuclei (such as those in water) within the head tissues

Masogastric tube – tube put down the nose into the stomach

Medical Supplies – these locations offer medical supplies and equipment for the home that many stroke patients require. Supplies range from personal care for the patient to assistive devices and equipment to promote activities of daily living.

Monoparesis, monoplegia – weakness, paralysis of one limb only

Mortality – describes the number of persons who die during a certain period of time

Motor – relating to movement

Neglect, one-sided – a term sometimes used for lack of awareness to one side

Neurologists – physicians specializing in brain injury and disease.

Neuron – the main functional cell of the brain and nervous system, consisting of a cell body, an axon, and dendrites

Neuroprotectiveagents – medications that protect the brain from secondary injury

Nursing home – a generic term for a skilled nursing facility

Nutrition – organizations offer meals for those in need.

Occupational Therapy – Offers therapy services to increase functioning and fine motor skills to allow stroke survivors to engage in meaningful activities of daily living.

Organizations for Stroke Education – Specialize in stroke and stroke support. They have further resources for stroke survivors and their caregivers.

Orthosis- an external orthopedic appliance, as a brace or splint that prevents or assists movement of the spine or the limbs

Palliative Care – care focused on the alleviation of symptoms and pain associated with disease rather than curing the disease. Goals of this care are symptom reduction and increasing or maintaining patient’s quality of life. Care focused on providing comfort and pain relief in terminal illness. Also help the patient and family live life to the fullest and provide care at the end of life

Papilloedema – swelling of the optic disc in the eye

Paraesthesia- an abnormal sensation, such as of burning, pricking, tickling, or tingling

Paralysis – loss of movement

Paraparesis, paraplegia – weakness, paralysis of both legs (can happen with bilateral strokes or spinal cord problems)

Paraphrasia – producing unintended phrases, words or syllables during speech

Paresis – muscle weakness

PEG tube – percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube inserted through the abdominal wall into the stomach

Perception – the ability to receive, interpret and use information

Physical Therapy – Building physical strength, endurance, and coordination for stroke patients to help them function in their daily lives.

Plague – a mixture of fatty substances, including cholesterol and other lipids, deposited inside of artery walls (synonym – atheroma)

Plasticity of the brain – the ability to adapt to deficits and injury when intact brain cells take over functions of damaged cells

Platelets – blood cells that are known for their role in blood coagulation

Prescription Assistance – Organizations that will help people meeting their requirement criteria purchase drugs at a discounted price.

Prevalence – the number of cases of a disease in a population at any given point in time

Randomised controlled trial – a clinical study in which persons are assigned to the experimental or control group by a random selection procedure

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) – a genetically engineered form of t-PA, a thrombolytic, anti-clotting substance made naturally by the body

Rehabilitation – organizations that work with the patient to help them reach their greatest functional potential following a stroke, re-teaching skills of daily life that were lost as a result of the stroke.

Rehabilitation – restoration of the disabled person to the greatest possible independence

• Comprehensive - located in a hospital providing around-the-clock rehabilitative nursing. One will participate in intensive rehabilitation therapy (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology) up to three hours each day, six days per week
• Subacute – located in a nursing home and is less intense than comprehensive Rest home – a generic term for a group home, specialized apartment complex or other institution which provides care services where individuals live; sometimes referred to as a private hospital, residential care facility or a care home

Senior Centers – Social meeting places for seniors that offer a wide array of activities, some even provide weekly or daily meals.

Small artery disease- a disease of small arteries in the brain, often due to hypertension

Social Workers – helps the patients and their family to develop a plan of care and work with other organizations to attain the services that they need.

Spasm – involuntary contraction of a muscle

Spastic paralysis – paralysis with increased muscle tone and spasmodic contraction of the muscles

Spasticity – abnormally increased tone in a muscle

Speech Therapy – helps patients adjust to changes in their ability to communicate and works with patients to assess their ability to swallow and develop a care plan.

Spinal cord- the elongated cylindrical portion of the cerebrospinal axis, or central nervous system, which is contained in the spinal or vertebral canal

Stenosis – narrowing

Stroke – an acute vascular injury of the brain

Stroke unit – a hospital facility for management of patients with acute stroke by a multidisciplinary team of specialists

• Subacute – located in a nursing home and is less intense than comprehensive rehab
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) – bleeding between the brain surface and one of the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain
• Support Groups – groups that meet on a regular basis to provide caregivers and stroke survivors’ support and guidance while dealing with the changes stroke has made in their lives.

Tactile – relating to touch

Therapeutics – organizations providing counseling, and alternative therapies such as dance or art therapy.

Thromboembolus – a clot which has traveled in an artery or vein

Thrombolytic – drugs that dissolve the blood clot

Thrombosis – the formation of a blood clot

Thrombotic stroke – a stroke caused by thrombosis

Thrombus – a blood clot

Tinnitus – “ringing” in the ears

Tone – the degree of tension in a muscle at rest

Total serum cholesterol – a combined measurement of a person’s high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – a small magnetic current delivered to an area of the brain to promote plasticity and healing

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) – a short-lived stroke that lasts from a few minutes up to 24 hours; often called a mini-stroke

Transport – providing public transport, transportation for people with physical disabilities.

Vascular – relating to the blood vessels

Vasospasm – spasm of a blood vessel; a dangerous side effect of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Vein – a blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart

Vertebral artery – an artery on either side of the back of the neck within the bones of the spine and carrying blood to the brain

Vertebrobasilar arteries – the two arteries on the back of the neck which supply blood to the brainstem and cerebellum

Video fluoroscopy – a video x-ray of swallowing mechanism

Vision Loss/Blindness – organizations providing enlarged font products and support for coping with blindness.

Visuospatial disorder – inability to recognize or perceive time, distance, areas of space