Right brain damage can cause memory, problem-solving, communication, and attention problems, as well as left-side impairments and neglect. It can also result in physical limitations and cognitive function difficulties, including maintaining attention and social communication.
Right brain damage, also known as right hemisphere brain damage, can result from a variety of injuries, strokes, and other medical conditions. While the cause of the brain injury or damage may vary, the symptoms of right brain damage present the same, with symptom severity based on the severity and specific location of the damaged area. Indications include problems with memory, problem solving, communication, and attention; impairments to the left side of the body and left side neglect; as well as difficulties judging size, space, or distance. Such symptoms are common, although some patients may have additional symptoms such as mood or behavioral changes.
The right side or hemisphere of the brain controls cognitive functions, as well as the physical functioning of the left side of the body. Thus, symptoms of right brain damage typically revolve around thinking and reasoning tasks and may include some changes to an individual’s left-sided mobility or awareness. Left-sided neglect is one such symptom, with patients demonstrating decreased awareness of things on the left side of the body. Patients presenting with left-sided neglect appear to ignore extremities or entire body regions on their left side, as well as activities, sounds, or people to their left.
In addition to left side neglect, right brain damage can also result in physical limitations related to the left side of the body. A patient may experience symptoms such as weakness in the extremities, impaired movement, or a complete lack of muscle control. Facial features and expressions may appear lopsided, left side drooping or unresponsive. Left-sided unresponsiveness is typical in stroke survivors with right brain damage, but can also be present in patients with head trauma.
Problems with cognitive function may involve difficulty maintaining attention or performing more than one task at a time. Since the right hemisphere also controls communication, patients with right brain damage may also have problems with the pragmatics of social communication. Inappropriate comments and an inability to keep the conversation going are common. The ability to organize steps to complete various tasks is also a common result of impaired cognitive function. Memory, especially short-term memory, can also be affected, with patients showing the ability to recall past experiences easily without recalling what was served for lunch or who they just had a conversation with.
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