Introduction
A stroke is a disease that results from a circulatory disorder of the brain. All areas of the brain must be supplied with blood through arteries. Therefore, not only the so-called cerebrum can be affected by a stroke, but also other areas of the brain such as the brain stem or the cerebellum.
The cerebellum is located in the lower, rear part of the skull and is responsible for tasks such as coordination and interaction of movements, balance and also eye movements. If a stroke occurs in the cerebellum, these functions can be impaired. The classic symptoms of a stroke, such as unilateral paralysis and sensitivity disorders or certain speech disorders, are therefore not to be expected in a stroke in the cerebellum.
These symptoms indicate a stroke of the cerebellum
A stroke occurs suddenly. This means that even if a stroke occurs in the cerebellum, the symptoms occur suddenly. Symptoms that develop over a longer period of time (days or weeks) are atypical of a stroke.
Symptoms that can occur in the cerebellum in a stroke are disturbances in the movement and muscle tension. It can lead to impairment of sitting upright or an upright posture (trunk ataxia) or even to disturbances in walking (gangataxy). Typical are an unsteady gait pattern with legs standing far apart (broad-based gait pattern).
In addition, disturbances of movement sequences may occur that require rapidly changing movements, such as screwing in a light bulb (dysdiadochokinesis). Disturbances of balance can also occur in the cerebellum as part of a stroke and manifest themselves as falls and dizziness. Furthermore, disturbances can occur during targeted movements of the arms and hands, the so-called intention tremor.
When picking up or grasping an object, such as a pen, an increasingly strong tremor occurs and the pen may be missed or when trying to touch the tip of the nose with the index finger, the tip of the nose is missed. Furthermore, disturbances of the eye movements can occur, which can be expressed for example by the appearance of double images. A rhythmic twitching or trembling of the eyes can also occur, this phenomenon is called nystagmus.
The muscular movements when speaking can be affected. This manifests itself in a speech disorder (not a speech disorder), whereby the person affected has difficulty speaking clearly (similar to drunkenness). These symptoms can occur individually or together.
Headaches can also occur after a stroke of the cerebellum. In the context of concomitant strokes in the brain stem or due to the occurrence of brain edema, clouding of consciousness can be the result. Since the cerebellum is involved in the regulation of balance.
A functional impairment in the cerebellum can lead to balance disorders. These can become noticeable when walking and standing, or even cause dizziness. In a stroke of the cerebellum, such balance disorders occur very suddenly. Dizziness can occur as a result of a stroke of the cerebellum. Due to the impairment of the vestibular system, dizziness can occur, possibly accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
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