Sleep changes.

Sleep difficulties are frequent among stroke patients. Sleep and stroke can be related in several ways: sleep disturbances such as insomnia and hypersomnia can be triggered by stroke; sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea are well-recognized risk factors of ischemic stroke; finally, sleep disorders can be aggravated by stroke. Sleep problems are associated with all stroke types and worsened stroke outcome. Post-stroke sleep disturbances may be a direct consequence of lesions caused by stroke or may be secondary to pain, disability and mood disorders due to stroke. Clinicians need to thoroughly investigate for the presence of sleep disorders in rehabilitating stroke patients.