A stroke is a disruption of normal blood flow in the brain.
According to the National Stroke Association, strokes are the third leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of adult disability. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or severely restricted, causing the brain to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients, or when there is too much blood in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. Both of these are examples of strokes. Strokes have warning signs that should be taken seriously. Early treatment is vital if symptoms occur, but better yet is taking steps to prevent a stroke from happening.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is the result of blood loss to the brain, causing brain cells to die.
A stroke happens when either a blood clot obstructs an artery--called an ischemic stroke--causing blood flow interruption to an area of the brain, or a hemorrhagic stroke when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and too much blood is in the skull. With the blood flow restricted, brain cells begin to die, which causes damage in that area of the brain. Depending on the functions controlled by that region, physical abilities are affected, such as speech, movement and memory. Each stroke victim may have a different set of disabilities and varying degrees of severity as a result of a stroke.
What are the Causes?
Strokes are caused by either too much blood or too little blood in the brain.
The two types of strokes--ischemic and hemorrhagic--have different causes. More than 80 percent of strokes are classified as ischemic, and this type of stroke is caused by a blood clot in an artery flowing to the brain or in a blood vessel flowing away from the brain. Blood clots in arteries are generally caused by atherosclerosis--a disease in which the arteries are clogged by fatty deposits. Clots in blood vessels are typically caused by irregular heart rhythms. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by high blood pressure rupturing a blood vessel and bleeding into the brain.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of stroke often are sudden and severe.
Symptoms that a stroke is occurring or about to occur include the sudden onset of numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, particularly if these happen on one side of the body. Confusion-- trouble speaking or understanding spoken words--is another symptom of a stroke as is trouble seeing from one or both eyes. A stroke is often also indicated by difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination. A severe, sudden headache is a common symptom, too.
How is a Stroke Treated?
Strokes are medical emergencies and require immediate medical treatment.
If any of the common symptoms appear, medical attention must be sought immediately. Stroke victims that receive early treatment have a better chance of minimized brain damage and complications after the stroke. Emergency treatment will first be done to determine the type of stroke as either from a clot or from an aneurysm. If a clot is the cause, medicines to break up the clot will be administered along with a dose of aspirin. If excess blood in the skull is the cause, a small clip can be placed to reduce blood circulation to the site. Thanks to medical advances, strokes are less lethal than they were 20 or 30 years ago. After emergency treatment, stroke victims will receive rehabilitative treatment to encourage the body to regain speech, movement or other abilities that may have been lost.
How can a Stroke be Prevented?
Regular exercise can help to prevent a stroke.
Taking steps to prevent conditions that commonly lead to strokes is the best treatment. Controlling blood pressure, not smoking and reducing cholesterol levels are important lifestyle choices that reduce the chance of a stroke. Maintaining a healthy weight, particularly with regular exercise, helps to keep the circulatory system in top form.
Tags: blood vessel, blood flow, much blood, area brain, blood brain, blood clot, blood pressure