Alphasoars Helthcheck: SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF STROKE

This is a (Cerebrovascular accident, CVA, Cerebral vascular accident or brain attack), occurs when a part of the brain is damaged or destroyed because it is deprived of blood.

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.

ARE THERE ANY WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE?

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.

Get gist on controllable risk factors for stroke on the next post