A person could seem absolutely healthy one day and then suddenly a stroke could cause speech impairment, paralysis or memory loss. A stroke usually occurs when there is a shortage in the blood supply to the brain, which causes damage to the brain tissue and leads to a stroke. Usually a blood clot or a rupture in a blood vessel can cause a stroke.

There are two main causes for the occurrence of a stroke. The first is when there is a blood clot in the body that prevents blood from flowing to the brain. Without the regular supply of oxygen and sugar from blood, the brain cells get damaged and result in a stroke. Another cause for a stroke is when a ruptured artery causes blood to flood the area between the skull and the brain, which reduces the blood supply to the brain and causes damage to the cells due to a lack of oxygen and blood sugar.

The symptoms of a stroke may become visible almost immediately. When the blood supply to the brain is cut off, the resulting damage to the cells presents itself in symptoms such as severe headaches, dizziness, and loss of speech, difficulty in walking, loss of balance or lack of coordination, blurred or double vision, weakness or numbness in some parts of the body and in severe cases, paralysis. The person should be given medical attention immediately to prevent further damage to the brain cells.

There are various complications that arise after a stroke, which usually differ from one person to another. In severe cases, a stroke can cause coma or paralysis, both of which would require the patient’s family to suffer anguish about his future and added to this would be the huge medical bills. Even if the stroke is milder, there would be expenses that would have to be borne for recovery and rehabilitation such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and medication.

It is vital that a patient suffering from stroke gets treatment whatever be the expense, as otherwise his condition could deteriorate to a point of complete dependency. To help with the treatment expenses, the Canadian Government offers a disability tax credit to patients who have suffered from stroke. There are certain procedures to be followed for applying for this tax credit and a person needs to prove that he is eligible for it. The Canadian Disability Corporation offers assistance to persons seeking disability tax credit for stroke. For a free assessment of eligibility or for details on how to apply for it, you can visit their website.