Symptoms For Living

Stroke

Stroke, also called brain attack or cerebral infarction, is a very serious condition in which the brain is not receiving enough oxygen to function properly. Stroke often results in permanent serious complications and disability and is a common cause of death. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association.

The brain requires a steady supply of oxygen in order to pump blood effectively to all of the body. Oxygen is supplied to the brain in the blood that flows through arteries. If an artery that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked or ruptured or begins to leak, the portion of the brain that gets its oxygen-rich blood from that specific artery becomes damaged. This injury can become permanent within minutes and result in the death of the affected brain tissue. Medically this is called cerebral necrosis.

There are two types of strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when a brain artery has been blocked. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery ruptures or leaks.

There are primary causes of strokes: cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism and cerebral hemorrhage.

Stroke cause by cerebral thrombosis is one cause of ischemic stroke and is the result of a build-up of plaque and inflammation in the arteries, called atherosclerosis. This process narrows the brain arteries and lowers the amount of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the brain tissue. Arteries narrowed by atherosclerosis are more likely to develop a blood clot that completely blocks blood flow to an area of the brain. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include having high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension.

Stroke cause by cerebral embolism is another cause of ischemic stroke. It is caused by clot that forms in another part of the body and travels in the bloodstream to a brain artery and blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Stroke caused by cerebral hemorrhage occurs when a brain artery breaks or leaks blood into the surrounding brain tissue.

The extent of the damage done to the brain and resulting symptoms of a stroke vary depending on the cause of stroke, the area or areas affected, and how much time passes before stroke is treated. Complications of stroke include permanent neurological damage, disability and death. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of stroke.

Risk factors for stroke include a having hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. Other risk factors include being of African-American ancestry, male, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking and having a family history of heart disease or stroke. Having a brain aneurysm puts a person at an extreme risk for hemorrhagic stroke.

Making a diagnosis of stroke includes completing a complete medical evaluation and history and physical examination, including a neurological examination. This is often done in an emergency room.

Diagnostic testing includes imaging tests, such as a CT or, MRI and cerebral angiogram of the brain. A cerebral angiogram reveals obstructed or narrowed arteries in the brain and can show blood flow.

A battery of other tests are also performed to evaluate for other conditions that commonly occur with a stroke, such as heart disease and cardiac arrhythmia.

It is possible that a diagnosis of stroke can be missed or delayed because sometimes the symptoms may be mild and attributed to other conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of stroke.

If caught early, some strokes can be successfully treated before the development of permanent brain damage and complications.

Stroke symptoms: There are various causes of stroke-like symptoms including stroke, transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes) and several other serious symptoms.

Stroke: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the part of the brain is suddenly interrupted (ischemic) or when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked.

Stroke: Serious brain event from bleeding or blood clots. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Stroke is available below.

 

Stroke: Symptoms

Symptoms of a stroke differ depending on a variety of factors, including the cause and the type and size of the area of the brain that is affected. In some cases, symptoms may be mild and only include weakness, dizziness or headache. Symptoms such as these may also be warning symptoms of an impending stroke. This is called a transient ischemic attack.

Stroke: Treatments

The most effective stroke treatment plan uses a multifaceted approach. This includes preventive care aimed at minimizing the risk factors for having a stroke or a recurrent stroke. Preventive measures include regular medical care to monitor and address such risk factors as high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and excessive alcohol consumption.

Stroke: Misdiagnosis

In some cases a diagnosis of stroke may be overlooked or delayed because symptoms of stroke or of a transient ischemic attack may be mild or vague. Symptoms may be attributed to such conditions as aging or migraine headache. In addition, some people delay seeking medical care, even for sudden dramatic symptoms, for a variety of reasons, such as thinking it is only a “spell”.

Symptoms of Stroke

• Sudden onset of symptoms – some strokes come on quickly
• Gradual onset of symptoms over hours or days – some strokes take time to onset
• Hemiparesis
• Hemiplegia
• One-sided numbness

 

Treatments for Stroke

• Acute stroke treatments – the treatments that may be used during a stroke.
  • Immediately call emergency help – usually 911 in the USA
  • Emergency treatment
  • Hospitalization
  • Medications