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Urinary incontinence
It is quite common for people to have a problem with controlling their urine after a stroke but this usually improves after a few weeks. Occasionally after a severe stroke a permanent urinary catheter will be needed.

Constipation
This often occurs because of immobility and inadequate intake of food and fluids, but usually gets better with drug treatment and changes to diet.

Swallowing difficulties
Quite commonly after a severe stroke people have difficulties with swallowing. This can increase the risk of dehydration, poor nutrition and chest infections. These difficulties should be identified very soon after a stroke so that measures can be taken to reduce the risk of these problems occurring. Measures taken may include restricting what the person eats and drinks or making the food easier to swallow. Some people will need to be given fluids into a vein in their arm or food via a feeding tube into their stomach. Swallowing difficulties usually go away after a few days or weeks.

Depression and tearfulness
Not surprisingly, some people, particularly those with severe strokes, suffer depression after a stroke. Others feel anxious or have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can lead to embarrassing outbursts of uncontrollable crying or even laughing which are not necessarily a sign that the person is either sad or amused. If these problems persist, antidepressants can help, or the doctor may decide that a referral to a psychiatrist is a good idea.

Pain
Although strokes rarely cause pain other than a headache which usually disappears within the first few days, people may complain of other pains during their recovery. This can be caused by stress and strain on joints and muscles, especially in the back and shoulders. Severe pain can be due to damage to certain parts of the brain (this is called central post stroke pain) but fortunately this is very uncommon. Tablets can help this type of pain.