Stroke - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK. It is also the single most common cause of severe disability . A stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is an acute neurologic injury in which the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted. A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells due to a problem with the blood supply. A Stroke-also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and once called apoplexy occurs either because of rupture of a brain artery, which leads to bleeding within the brain, or because of a blood clot that forms in an artery and jnterferes with circulation to a part of the brain.When blood flow to the brain is impaired, oxygen and important nutrients cannot be delivered. The cost of strokes is not just measured in the billions of dollars lost in work, hospitalization, and the care of survivors in nursing homes.

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. The sooner treatment is received, the better the chances of survival. Strokes are closely linked with cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart rhythm disorders, heart attacks, heart valve disorders, and especially high blood pressure. While waiting for medical help, provide some covering, not too heavy. Loosen any tight clothing. Position the victim on his side so secretions can drain from the side of the mouth. Give no fluids by mouth unless the victim is conscious and able to swallow normally.

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 bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding the brain cells (hemorrhagic). If you have symptoms of a stroke, you need emergency care, just as though you are having a heart attack . Strokes occur when blood vessels carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the brain become blocked or suddenly burst. In the United States, about 400,000 people a year suffer from a stroke, and up to 40% of these strokes may be fatal. Family members may have a genetic tendency for stroke or share a lifestyle that contributes to stroke. The most important risk factors for stroke are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cigarette smoking.

Causes of Stroke

The most comman causes of stroke include the following :

• An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the brain
• Infection of the heart valves
• Blood-clotting disorders
• Another type of stroke occurs when a blood clot or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque breaks loose, travels through open arteries, and lodges in an artery of the brain
• One type of vascular malformation, an arteriovenous malformation, occurs when a tangle of blood vessels in or around the brain bypasses the normal brain tissue and directly diverts blood from the arteries to the veins
• Cerebral embolism is also caused by a blood clot.

Symptoms of Stroke

Some sign and symptoms related to Stroke are as follows :

• Sudden weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, especially if on only one side of the body
• Sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
• Blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Behavioral changes
• Mental changes and changes in thought processes associated with dysfunction
• Slurred speech or inability to speak
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• One-sided paralysis

Treatment of Stroke

Treatment of Stroke are as follows :

• Generally, there are three treatment stages for stroke: prevention, therapy immediately after stroke, and post-stroke rehabilitation.
• Large-handled silverware can be easier to grab and use if you have a weak hand.
• Canes and walkers can be used to help prevent falls.
• Clot dissolvers, such as thrombolytic agents, are most effective when used within three hours of a thrombotic or an embolic stroke.
• The most effective substance currently available for this step is tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA.
• Medical therapy alone does not greatly improve the patient's outcome.Decompressive surgery is an alternative approach to reduce this pressure.
• A pre-existing condition may also need to be controlled by an appropriate medication. These may include heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia).