Strokesaurus

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Word	Definition
Palliative Care	Specialised care and support for people who are nearing the end of their lives. Palliative care can be provided in the home, a hospital, a residential aged care facility or a hospice. For similar information see Palliative care Palliative care is for people who are near the end of their life. It can be given: At home. In a hospital. In an aged care home. In a hospice. See Palliative care
Paralysis	Inability to move part of the body. For similar information see Arm and hand function or Leg functioning Paralysis is when you can’t move a part of your body. See Arm and hand function or Leg functioning
Paresis	Incomplete paralysis or weakness of the limbs. For similar information see Arm and hand function or Leg functioning Paresis is when you have trouble moving a part of your body. It is not as serious as paralysis. See Arm and hand function or Leg functioning
Parietal Lobe	The part of the brain that is important for feeling things and for being aware of your surroundings. For similar information see Sensory changes or Brain and Cognitive The parietal lobe is a part of your brain. It helps you feel things. It helps you know what’s going on around you. See Sensory changes or Brain and Cognitive
Perception	The way our brain understands what it sees, feels, smells, tastes and hears. For similar information see Sensory changes Perception is the way your brain understands the messages your body sends it. This includes how you: See things. Feel things. Smell things. Taste things. Hear things. See Sensory changes
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy	Tube that is placed through the person’s stomach wall to feed them. For similar information see Swallowing , Food and nutrition or Procedures Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a type of surgery. It helps you if you can’t eat or swallow. Doctors put a tube through your stomach wall. Special food can be put into the tube. It goes into your stomach to feed you. See Swallowing , Food and nutrition or Procedures
Perseveration	Getting stuck on one idea, action or response. For similar information see Personality changes Perseveration is a type of behaviour. It is when you get stuck on one idea, one action or one response. See Personality changes
Physiotherapist	Physiotherapists can work with someone after a stroke to improve the way they sit, stand, walk and exercise. Physiotherapists work on movement, muscle strength, sensation, coordination and fitness. For similar information see Who will be involved in my care or Rehabilitation A physiotherapist is a type of health worker. They can help you with: Sitting Standing Walking Exercise See Who will be involved in my care or Rehabilitation
Plaque	Fatty cholesterol deposits found along the inside of artery walls that lead to atherosclerosis and stenosis of the arteries. For similar information see Prevention Plaque is mainly made up of fat, cholesterol and calcium. It can build up on your artery walls. Your arteries can become blocked. See Prevention
Plasticity	Also known as neuroplasicity. The ability of the brain to change. After a stroke, pathways in the brain can change so that undamaged parts of the brain can take over the jobs of damaged areas. For similar information see Psychology and neuropsychology Plasticity is when your brain heals itself. When you have a stroke, your brain can change. Healthy parts of your brain can take over the jobs of damaged areas. It is also called neuroplasicity. See Psychology and neuropsychology
Platelets	Platelets are a part of your blood. They help your blood form clots when you get a cut. This is normally a healthy thing but the same process can sometimes cause a stroke. For similar information see Types of stroke Platelets are a part of your blood. They help your blood form clots when you get a cut. See Types of stroke
Primary Care	Health services provided locally by professionals such as GP’s, district nurses, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists. For similar information see Who will be involved in my care Primary care is a type of health care. It is provided by people like GPs, district nurses, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists. It is usually your first point of contact with the health system. See Who will be involved in my care
Proprioception	Ability to sense of the relative position of neighbouring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement. For similar information see Sensory changes Proprioception is your ability to where the different parts of your body are. See Sensory changes
Prothrombotic	A tendency to form blood clots too easily. For similar information see Procedures Prothrombotic is when your body forms blood clots too easily. See Procedures
Pseudobulbar affect	Also known as emotional lability. Uncontrollable outbursts of emotion (such as laughing to crying) without cause. After a stroke, it may only last a few weeks or continue for a long period. For similar information see Emotions Pseudobulbar affect is when you suddenly laugh or cry for no reason. It can happen when you have a stroke. It can last for a few weeks, or for a longer time. It is also called emotional lability. See Emotions
Psychologist	A psychologist or clinical psychologist can help if you are felling depressed or anxious, or are experiencing any other emotions that are making life difficult. Talking to a psychologist can help if you or your family is having trouble getting used to life after stroke . For similar information see Who will be involved in my care or Psychology and neuropsychology A psychologist or clinical psychologist is a type of health worker. They can help if you are feeling depressed or anxious. They can help if you or your family is having trouble getting used to life after stroke. See Who will be involved in my care or Psychology and neuropsychology
Ptosis	Drooping eyelid. This can be caused by problems with nerves to the eye. For similar information see Sensory changes Ptosis is when your eyelid droops. The nerves to your eyes may be damaged. See Sensory changes

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