A stroke (sometimes referred to as a "brain attack") is a break in the blood supply to any part of the brain. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), a stroke that involves the brain stem can be life-threatening because it's the part of the brain that controls breathing functions and orders the heart to beat. A stroke is a medical emergency. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the UMMC. Several risk factors are associated with strokes.
Common Risks
A larger number of men than women have strokes, according to UMMC. However, women have a greater risk of stroke during pregnancy and in the weeks after giving birth.
The number one preventable risk for stroke is high blood pressure. Other risk factors include high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, family history of stroke and aging.
Additional Risks
According to the Mayo Clinic, people who are obese and/or smoke are at a greater risk of suffering a stroke.
Oral contraceptives can increase the chance of blood clots, particular in woman who are over age 35 and smoke.
Cocaine and alcohol use, bleeding disorders and head injuries can all increase the risk of bleeding into the brain, which makes you more prone to having a stroke.
Symptoms
The signs of a brain stem stroke may include double vision, nausea, impaired swallowing and loss of coordination. According to the American Heart Association, brain stem injury can result in a coma.
Symptoms often develop abruptly and without warning. They may be intermittent in nature or gradually intensify over a period of time.
Diagnosis
If it appears you have suffered a stroke, your doctor will gather your medical history, conduct a physical exam and order laboratory and diagnostic tests.
These tests may include a CT (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an electroencephalogram (EEG).
Your doctor may also conduct an angiogram. During this procedure, dye is injected into blood vessels and an X-ray is taken. This test allows your doctor to clearly examine the blood flow through blood vessels.
Treatment
Immediate emergency medical care is necessary to preserve life and lessen the chance of disability due to a stroke. The specific treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the stroke.
Strokes due to blood clots may be treated with blood thinners such as heparin and Coumadin or aspirin. Other medications may be given to manage high blood pressure and other symptom.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend a type of procedure (i.e., carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, stents) to open up an artery that's dangerously narrowed by plaque.
Prognosis
The recovery time and need for long-term care following a stroke can vary depending on the type of stroke and how promptly treatment was administered. Patients may make a full recovery or they may suffer some permanent loss of function. Rehabilitation may include physical and speech therapies.
Tags: brain stem, according UMMC, blood clots, blood pressure, blood vessels, greater risk