Stroke

What is Stroke?

 

Stroke, sometimes called brain attack. This is Occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain stops or when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain. This causes a lack of oxygen and nutrients in the tissues. And then within a few minutes, the brain cells start to damaged or die. In both of these cases parts of the brain are damaged or die. Stroke, can to be permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

 

Stroke is a medical emergency in which immediate treatment is important. Immediate treatment and early action can reduce brain damage and potential complications.

 

Type of Stroke –

 

There are mainly three types of stroke –

 

1.      Transient Ischemic Attack – Doctors also call a transient ischemic attack (TIA) as a warning or a Ministroke. A blood clot temporarily blocks the blood flow in your brain causing TIA. Symptoms of blood clots and TIA remain for a short time.

2.      Ischemic Stroke – It is estimated that 87 percent of strokes are ischemic. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot stops the flow and supply of blood to your brain. A blood clot is often caused by atherosclerosis, which is caused by fatty deposits on the inner lining of the blood vessel. A portion of these fatty deposits can stop the flow of blood to your brain. This condition is similar to a heart attack, where blood clots block the flow of blood to parts of your heart.

 

There are two types of Ischemic Stroke:

 

a.       Embolic Stroke – In this, blood clots pass from another part of your body to your brain. Usually, these clots occur in the heart and reach the brain through blood vessels. Embolic Stroke is caused by a condition called 15 percent 'atrial structure', in which your heart beats irregularly.

b.      Thrombotic Stroke – It is an ischemic stroke in which a blood clot is formed in the blood vessel of the brain.

 

3.      Hemorrhagic Stroke – When the blood vessel breaks in your brain, the blood starts circulating in the surrounding tissues, this condition is called hemorrhagic stroke.

 

There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke –

a.       Aneurysm - in which a part of a weak blood vessel swells or swells outward and sometimes breaks or bursts.

b.      Arteriovenous Malformation - which involves abnormally formed blood vessels. If such blood vessels rupture, it can lead to hemorrhagic stroke.

 

Symptoms of Stroke –

 

Through the following symptoms and signs, you will find out whether you or someone with you has a stroke. With these symptoms, you will be able to get the right treatment in time: –

 

1.       Having trouble speaking and understanding. You may feel confused. You may slow down speaking or may feel difficulty in understanding.

2.       Paralysis or numbness in the face, arm or leg and especially one side of your body suddenly become numb. May feel weakness. Try to raise both your hands on your head at the same time. If one hand falls, it can be a stroke and in a smile, if your lips do not lift or swing on one side, it can be a sign of stroke.

3.       It can be a sign of a stroke if you have trouble seeing in one or both eyes or see blurry or if everything appears two.

4.       Sudden severe headache that aggravates as vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness.

5.       You may feeling trouble walking, sudden dizziness, loss of balance and coordination.

 

Causes of Stroke –

 

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is obstructed or diminished. It deprives your brain of oxygen and nutrients, which destroys your brain cells.

 

Ischemic Stroke - Stroke may be caused by a blocked artery or due to a burst of a blood vessel.

 

Hemorrhagic stroke - Some people may have it only due to temporary disruption of blood flow in their brain.

 

Transient Ischemic Stroke (TIA) - also known as a Ministroke - is a brief period of symptoms that you have during a stroke. A temporary decrease in blood supply to parts of your brain that often last less than five minutes.

 

Prevention of Stroke –

 

1.       Controlling High Blood Pressure – Controlling blood pressure is one of the most important things for you to reduce your stroke risk. If you had a stroke, controlling your blood pressure may help prevent transient ischemic stroke or severe stroke. Hypertension can be controlled by managing stress, maintaining proper eating and healthy weight, exercising, and limiting sodium and alcohol or alcohol content. In addition to advice on lifestyle changes, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat high blood pressure.

2.      By reducing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet, you can prevent stroke – Cholesterol and fat, especially saturated fat and trans fat, increase fatty coagulation (plaque) in your arteries. If you cannot control your cholesterol and fat levels from the diet, then your doctor may prescribe medicines.

3.      Do not Smoke - The use of tobacco and smoking increases the risk of stroke. Even for those who are indirectly consuming harmful smoke.

4.       Control Diabetes – You can control diabetes with diet, exercise, weight control and medication.

5.       Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of stroke – Then eat a Mediterranean diet which consists of olive oil, fruits, nuts or pods, vegetables and whole grains.

6.      Exercising regularly such as Aerobic or "Cardio" exercise can reduce the risk of stroke in many ways – Exercise can reduce your high blood pressure, increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and improve the overall health of your blood vessels and heart. It also helps you to lose weight, control diabetes and reduce stress. Exercise slowly for up to 30 minutes of activity - such as walking, jogging, and swimming or cycling, if not daily, do more than a day.

7.      Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of stroke. Even if you drink, drink it in the limit i.e. drink less – Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of high blood pressure, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. However, drinking less alcohol can help prevent ischemic stroke and decrease your blood clotting tendency. Alcohol can also cause side effects to other medicines you are taking.

8.       Obstructive sleep Apnea – If you have obstructive sleep apnea, it increases the risk of stroke. To see if you have obstructive sleep apnea or not, you should meet a doctor, if you have obstructive sleep apnea, it should be treated immediately.

 

Stroke Risk and Complications –

 

Many factors can increase the risk of your stroke. Some factors may increase your chances of having a heart attack –

 

1.       Being overweight or obese.

2.       Drinking plenty of alcohol and other harmful drinks.

3.       High blood pressure

4.       Exposure to smoke or more pollution fumes.

5.       High cholesterol.

6.       Diabetes.

7.       Obstructive sleep apnea.

 

Following are the complications of stroke –

 

1.      Changes in Behavior – Stroke can be a cause of depression or anxiety. You may also feel a change in your behavior, such as having trouble being social with others and being impulsive.

2.      Difficulty in Speech or Speaking – Stroke affects the areas of your brain that are related to speaking and swallowing. As a result, you may have trouble speaking, reading or understanding other people.

3.      Numbness or Pain – Stroke can cause a state of numbness in some parts of your body and it can be painful. Sometimes brain injuries can also affect your ability to perceive temperature. This condition is known as stroke pain and can be difficult to treat.

4.      Paralysis – a stroke in the right part of your brain can affect your left limb and a stroke in the left brain as well as the right limb. Those who have suffered a stroke may not use facial muscles or may have difficulty in the movements of the hands.

The information here is taken from various sources. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, timeliness and genuineness of this information. However, it does not belong to ovihealth.com. We humbly request you to contact your doctor before trying any remedy. Our aim is just to provide you information.