What Is a Stroke?

Stroke is an emergency condition that occurs when a blockage develops in the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When stroke occurs, cells in the brain begin to die quickly. If left without treatment, it can lead to permanent disability or death.

Symptoms of Stroke
Dizziness while walking
Sudden weakness of the body on one side
Sudden change in vision in one or both eyes
Difficulty speaking or understanding others
Difficulty swallowing
Sudden, severe, unexplained headache
Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding others

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Stroke Test: Talk, Wave, Smile

The F.A.S.T. test helps spot symptoms of stroke. It stands for:

Face: This test is to check if one side of the victim’s face droops or sags when he/she smiles.

Arms: This helps to check if one side of the arm drifts downwards when raised.

Speech: This tests the person’s speech if his/her words is slurred or if they can repeat a simple sentence.

Time. Time is critical. Call 911 instantly for prompt medical attention if any symptoms are present.

Time is extremely critical, every second counts when seeking treatment for a stroke victim. When deprived of oxygen, the cells of the brain starts to die within minutes. There are clot-busting medicines that can regulate brain damage, but they need to be used within three hours or up to 4.5 hours of the initial stroke symptoms. The death of brain tissue means the body parts controlled by that area won’t function properly. This is why stroke is a top cause of lasting disability.

Causes of Stroke

Stroke is commonly caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This occurs when plaque consisting of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances accumulate in the arteries, leaving little or no space for blood flow. A blood clot may lodge in this narrow space and cause an ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis makes it easier for a clot to form.

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Types of Stroke
Ischemic Stroke

This is the most common type of stroke, most stroke cases fall into this category. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel inside the brain. The clot may develop on the spot or in some cases, travel through the blood to another place.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This type of stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts. It causes bleeding inside the brain that can be difficult to stop. Hemorrhagic stroke are rare, but more deadly.

‘Mini-Stroke’ (TIA)

This is often described as a short-lived ischemic attack. Blood flow is temporarily reduced to part of the brain, causing stroke symptoms. When the blood flows again, the symptoms disappear. A TIA is a warning sign of an impending stroke. See your doctor immediately if you think you’ve had a TIA.

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Diagnosing a Stroke

To diagnose stroke, the first step is to determine which type of stroke is affecting the patient. There are two main types and they are not treated the same way. A CT scan is performed to help doctors establish whether the symptoms are coming from a blocked blood vessel or a bleeding vessel. Other tests may be conducted to determine the location of a blood clot or bleeding within the brain.

Risk Factors of Stroke

Chronic Conditions
Your risk of developing a stroke can be increased by certain conditions. These include:

Obesity
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol

Taking steps to control these conditions may reduce your risk.

Behaviors
Certain behaviors also increase the risk of stroke, such as:

Excessive use of alcohol
Smoking
Getting too little exercise

Diet
A poor diet may increase the risk for stroke. A diet high in fish, fruits, vegetables and whole grains may help lower stroke risk.

Uncontrolled Risk Factors

Some risk factors of stroke are uncontrollable. They include:

Age: Older people are more susceptible to stroke
Gender: Men are more prone to developing a stroke. Though stroke deaths occur in women too.
Race: African-Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives are at higher risk compared to people of other origins.
Family history of stroke

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Emergency Treatment

For an ischemic stroke, emergency treatment centers on medication that would cause blood flow to be restored. A clot-busting drug is effective at dissolving clots and reducing long-term damage, but it must be as soon as possible, within three or much as 4.5 hours.

For Hemorrhagic strokes, treatment usually involves controlling high blood pressure, bleeding, and brain swelling.

Long-Term Damage Caused by Stroke

The extent of damage caused by stroke depends on its severity and how quickly treatment was administered to stabilize the brain. The type of damage depends on the part of the brain where stroke occurs. Common problems after a stroke include numbness and/or weakness in the arms or legs, vision problems, difficulty walking, trouble swallowing, and problems with speech and comprehension. These problems can be permanent, but many people regain most of their abilities.

Stroke Rehab
Rehabilitation helps patients regain lost skills and learn to compensate for irreversible injury. The aim of rehab is to help restore as much independence as possible.

Speech Therapy
Speech and language therapy is equally essential for people who have trouble speaking. A speech therapist can also help patients who have difficulty swallowing.

Physical Therapy
After a stroke, it is common for patients to develop muscle weakness and balance problems. This can obstruct walking and delay other daily activities. Physical therapy is an active way to recover strength, balance, and coordination.

Talk Therapy
It’s common for stroke survivors and their loved ones to experience extreme emotions, such as grief, fear, and anger. A psychologist can provide tactics for managing these emotions. A therapist can also watch for signs of depression, which often affects people recuperating from a stroke.

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Stroke Prevention
Lifestyle

People who have had a stroke or TIA can take steps to prevent a recurrence by adjusting their lifestyle:

Minimize alcohol and salt intake
Quit smoking
Exercise and maintain a healthy weight
Eat a healthier diet with more fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains
Medications

Medications to lower risk of stroke for people with a high risk is often recommended by doctors. Anti-platelet drugs, including aspirin, are administered to keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots. Anti-clotting drugs, such as warfarin, may be required to ward off stroke in some patients. For those with hypertension, drugs will be given to lower their blood pressure.

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Surgery

A stroke which results from a narrowed carotid artery (the blood vessels that travel up each side of the neck to bring blood to the brain), may benefit from surgery called carotid endarterectomy. This procedure removes plaque from the lining of the carotid arteries and can help prevent additional strokes.

Stroke Prevention: Balloon and Stent

Doctors can treat a blocked carotid artery without major surgery using a procedure called angioplasty. This involves implanting a catheter into the artery briefly and inflating a tiny balloon to broaden the area that is contracted by plaque. A metal tube called a stent, can be place in and left in place to keep the artery open.

Source: http://www.healthdiary365.com/2018/01/07/stroke-symptoms-types-causes-and-prevention/