Advice for a Stroke

By: Robert Nam

Total Views: 179, Word Count: 1147,

 ‘Stroke’ or ‘Brain Attack’ is the third leading cause of death worldwide. It occurs at an equal rate in men as well women; however, women are more likely to die. Strokes are the major cause of death and permanent disability.

Stroke is a condition in which a blot clot or blood vessels interrupts the flow of blood to an area of the brain. An insufficient supply of oxygen and glucose flowing to the brain leads to the death of the brain cells and brain damage. It results in impairment in movement, speech, and memory.

There are two main types of stroke, i.e. ischemic and hemorrhagic.

Ischemic stroke – It is caused due to blockage of the artery, which supplies blood to the brain. It results in deficiency in blood flow. It occurs more frequently in people over the age of 65.

Hemorrhagic stroke- It is caused due to the bleeding of ruptured blood vessels in the brain. It is more frequent in the younger people.

Warning Signs of Stroke

Strokes or brain attacks are the medical emergency, which requires immediate medical attention. Always remember that, having a stroke may not have all of the warning signs and this warning signs may come and go.

However, any one having theses symptoms must seek a medical attention at the earliest. Warning signs of a stroke include

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, leg or arm especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden difficulty in walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination
3. Sudden severe headache without no cause
4. Sudden confusion , difficulty while speaking or understanding
5. Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes

Risk Factors for Stroke

The primary risk factors for ischemic stroke are the increasing age. High blood pressure level and heart disease are also major risk factors for the ischemic stroke.

The other risk factors include.

1. Brain tumor
2. Excessive Alcohol use
3. Cardiac condition such as heart attack or myocardial infarction
4. Coagulopathy
5. Drug abuse
6. Diabetes
7. Family or personal history of stroke
8. Blood clotting disorder
9. Stenosis and hypertension
10. High blood pressure
11. High cholesterol
12. Infection such as endocarditic
13. Narrowing of arteries
14. Atherosclerosis
15. Sickle cell disease
16. Smoking

Risk factor for the hermorrhagic stroke includes untreated aneurysm, congenital arteriovenous malformations, and brain injury.

Symptoms of Stroke

Symptoms of stroke, depends on the type and which area of the brain is effected with. Generally, the signs of ischemic stroke occur suddenly whereas signs of hemorrhagic stroke develop gradually. Symptoms of a stroke includes following.

1. Difficultly while walking
2. Difficulty in speaking or understanding speech
3. Numbness, weakness or paralysis
4. Seizure
5. Severe headache
6. Sudden confusion
7. Sudden decrease in the level of consciousness
8. Sudden loss of balance or coordination
9. Vision problem
10. Vomiting

Diagnosis of Stroke

If the stroke is suspected, accurate diagnosis is necessary to minimize the brain tissue damage. Diagnosis includes a medical history and the physical examination. The physical examination is done to evaluate the level of consciences, sensation, and function and to determine the cause, location, extent of the stroke. The test which are performed for the diagnosis of the stroke are

1. Blood tests
2. Imaging procedure
3. Ultrasound
4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
5. Electrocardiogram
6. Single photon emission computed tomography
7. Angiogram

Treatments for a Stroke

Early treatment can help to minimize the damage of brain tissues and improve the prognosis. Treatment of stroke depends on whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic. The long-term goal treatment includes several different therapies, rehabilitation, and prevention of additional strokes. The treatment for the stroke includes.

1. Tissue plasminogen activator
2. Antihypertensive
3. Anticonvulsants (diazepam and lorazepam)
4. Surgerical treatment
5. Endovascular treatment

Prevention of a Stroke

The below mentioned measure can help you to prevent the stroke, it includes.

1. Exercise regularly
2. Avoid smoking
3. Limit dietary intake of salt
4. Limit on the drink of alcohol
5. Maintain a healthy weight
6. Mange your stress level
7. Take a preventive medication such as anti-paltelet and anticoagulant drugs in order to prevent blood clots
8. Maintain your cholesterol level
9. Maintain diabetes
10. Control your blood pressure
11. Eat a low fat diet or healthy heart diet
12. Use airbags, seatbelts while in automobiles
13. Wear protective helmets while riding horse or bicycle

If you find any of the above risk factor or symptoms of stroke, do consult your doctor right way. The early detection result in effective treatment and ensure a healthy life.

About the Author

 Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.

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