Introduction to Stroke

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to a portion of the brain is interrupted. This can be caused by either bleeding from a ruptured artery or from a clot that forms as a result of plaque buildup in the arteries. If a clot forms, it may completely block blood flow and can initially cause bleeding in the brain, which causes severe injury, or it may travel to another part of the brain where it blocks blood flow, which will eventually lead to lack of oxygen in that region. Stroke can also cause swelling that further blocks the blood supply to surrounding regions of the brain and creates additional damage.

Stroke is an incredibly broad term encompassing a variety of conditions with different causes and effects depending on what locations are affected and how much damage has been done. Reading this article will provide a basic understanding of stroke but should not replace an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you or someone you know may have had a stroke.

For years, stroke has been known as the “silent epidemic.” It’s not really silent, but it does often cause no obvious symptoms for a period of time, which is why it’s so dangerous. The brain is deprived of oxygen when there is not enough blood getting through to it due to a blockage in one of the arteries that supply blood to the head. When this happens, brain cells start to die, and if enough brain cells die for long enough, then permanent damage can be done. In fact, a stroke can affect any area of the brain depending on where the blockage is. A stroke could also be caused by bleeding in or around the brain. This bleeding can occur because of an aneurysm in an artery or because of a rupture in a blood vessel.

A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. It is called apoplexy when this happens suddenly due to some disturbance in the heart or circulation, or when caused by rupture or obstruction in some part of the brain or its vessels. A hemorrhage on the other hand occurs when there has been a rupture of a blood vessel in or around the brain.

Causes of Stroke

Stroke can be caused by numerous factors, including blood clots, blood vessel disease, brain tumors and inflammation. Since most strokes are caused by a clot, they’re often referred to as “ischemic strokes.” The other main kind of stroke, “hemorrhagic stroke,” is caused by bleeding into or around the brain.

Strokes most commonly occur when there’s an obstruction in one of the arteries that supply blood to the head. Arteries are narrow channels through which blood flows, and an obstruction can occur due to a number of reasons:

A clot may form at the site of an injury or normal wear and tear on an artery (for example, if plaque builds up within an artery). This can restrict or block blood flow through that particular artery.

What are the signs of a stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, usually due to a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and those who survive often experience a wide range of lasting disabilities.

The most common signs of stroke include:

1) Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body;

2) Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;

3) Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;

4) Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and

5) Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Other Common Symptoms of Stroke

According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 80% of strokes are ischemic. Ischemic strokes are often referred to as “brain attacks.” This occurs when a clot blocks an artery, preventing blood flow to the brain. A stroke occurs when brain cells die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. When that happens, you can experience a wide range of stroke symptoms. The severity of these symptoms will depend on where in your brain the stroke occurred, and how much of it was affected by the stroke.

Some common symptoms include:

– Numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg (one or both sides)

– Slurred speech

– Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

– Severe headache

– Loss of balance or coordination

– Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

– Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

– Severe headache

How to treat stroke patients?

Stroke patients often experience paralysis in one side of their body and speech difficulties. For example, if a stroke patient has paralysis on his right side, he may have difficulty speaking. The stroke patient will also have trouble moving his right arm and leg. If the stroke patient is unable to move both arms, the nurse should give the patient a set of verbal and physical cues to tell him when and how to move each limb.

Appropriate instructions for performing this physical therapy include:

-Move your hand toward me

-Flex your fingers toward your palm

-Extend your fingers

-Touch your thumb to each finger in order, starting with your thumb

-Point at me with your finger

The verbal cues should be given in a slow, clear, and concise manner. Each verbal instruction should last approximately three seconds so that the person being treated can clearly understand each movement. If the stroke patient is able to move only one arm or leg, the nurse should repeat the same sequence of instructions using both limbs simultaneously. For example, after telling the person to flex his fingers toward his palm, the nurse should tell him to flex his other fingers toward his palm as well.

How to avoid stroke?

The best way to avoid stroke is to reduce the risk factors for stroke – high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. These three main risk factors are modifiable and can be controlled by changing your lifestyle.

High blood pressure: High blood pressure means that the force of the blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is too great. This may damage the walls of the arteries. The best way to control high blood pressure is to have lower intake of salt and sugar and increase physical activity. Exercise and physical activities help in reducing stress, while lowering your blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels. Start eating more fruits and vegetables, increase consumption of whole grains and foods high in fiber and decrease consumption of red meat, sugar, junk food etc.

High cholesterol: High cholesterol increases your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke. Lowering your cholesterol level will reduce your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke significantly. To lower your cholesterol level, you need to cut down on saturated fats (found in red meats, processed foods) and eat more soluble fibers (found in oats, beans). Soluble fibers binds with bile acids in the intestines which in turn helps in lowering cholesterol level after they pass out through the feces. Eat foods high in soluble fibers.