There are two
main types of strokes: They are (1) Ischaemic and Haemorhagic strokes.
This is the most common type of stroke and is
caused by a blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain This may be due to
“hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or by a blood clot
blocking a blood vessel.
One type of Ischaemic stroke is a thrombotic or (Related to,
caused by or of the nature of) stroke. This is caused by a blood clot or
(thrombus) in one of the arteries of the head or neck, which severely reduces
the blood flow. Thrombus or blood clot may be a result of a build up of fatty
deposits other words called “plaques” in the blood vessels.
Another type of Ischaemic stroke is an embolic stroke.
Embolism is a throw in or obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign substance
or blood clot. This embolic stroke (or cerebral embolism), caused when a blood
clot that forms elsewhere in the body (for example, the chambers of the hearts)
travels through the circulatory system to the brain.
The travelling clot is called an embolus.
HAEMORRHAGIC STROKE: The
most common type of stroke is haemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when a blood
vessel in the brain bursts, allowing blood to leak and cause damage to an area
of the brain. There are two types of subarachnoid haemorrhage, which occurs in
the space around the brain, and an intracerebral haemorrhagic which is the most
common type of stroke which involves bleeding within the brain tissue itself.
SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE: The
symptoms of a stroke usually appear suddenly. Initially the person may feel
sick, and look pale and very unwell. They may complain of a sudden headache.
They may have sudden numbness in their face or limbs, particularly down one
side of their body. They may appear confused and have trouble tackling or
keeping or understanding what is been said to them. They may have vision
problems and trouble walking or keeping their balance. Sometimes a seizure of
feet or loss of consciousness occurs. Depending on what function the damaged
part of the brain had, a person may lose one or more of the functions;
Ability to perform movements – usually affecting one side of
the body; speech; part of vision; co-ordination; balance; memory and
perception.
Some strokes are preceded by mini or temporary strokes
- transient Ischaemic attacks (TIAS).
Mini strokes occur when there is a temporary blood clot and
part of the brain does not get the supply of blood it needs.
Symptoms occur rapidly and usually last a short time, from a
few minutes to a couple of hours, like a stroke, the symptoms will vary
depending on which part of the brain is affected.
THE WARNING SIGNS
These include sudden weaknes or numbness of the face, arm
and leg on one side of the body, loss of speech or difficulty talking, dimness
or loss of vision, inexplained dizziness, especially when associated with any
of the above signs.
Unsteadiness or sudden falls, headache (usually severe and
of sudden onset), confusion. While the symptoms of transient Ischaemic attacks
(TIAS) are similar to those of a stroke, they are usually temporary and
reversible.
However, mini strokes should not be ignored as people who
have had a temporary stroke are much more likely to have a stroke than people
of the same age and sex who have not had a temporary stroke.
It is very important you see the doctor immediately when the
warning signs occur. So that the physician will determine whether a stroke, a
mini or another medical condition with similar symptoms has occurred such as
seizure or migraine (or periodic pain along one side of the head thereby
causing disorder of the cerebral nerves and leading to loss of vision, nauses,
languor and chill.
THE RISK FACTORS OF A STROKE
The older you get, the greater the risk of having a stroke,
however, a significant number of young and middle aged people also have
strokes. Men are also more likely to have a stroke as they are people with
diabetes. People who have had a previous stroke are also more likely to have
another one.
Cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol intake being overweight
and high or raised blood cholesterol increase the risk of high blood pressure
and aretery disease, which in turn increase the risk of having a stroke.
Stroke is a vascular disease and so shares many risk factors
with coronary artery disease.
Another risk factor is a type of irregular heartbeat known
as atrial fibrillation (AF). Also some medications can increase the risk of
stroke.
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A STROKE
The physical changes that cause a stroke usually take place
over many years, some people born with a higher risk of having a stroke. Age,
sex, race, and having had a prior stroke are risk factors that can not be
changed.
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