What is Brain Stroke

Brain Stroke is a sudden loss of brain function caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a brain attack. Brain cell function requires a constant delivery of oxygen and glucose from the bloodstream. A brain stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted, leading to inadequate oxygen supply and causing brain cells to die. Blood flow can be compromised in a variety of ways.

Brain Strokes are the third largest killers in America, after heart disease and cancer. The effects of a stroke depend upon which part of the brain was injured and how much damage has occurred. About 80% of strokes are ischemic and 20% are hemorrhagic.

There are two major types of stroke: ischemic brain stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This may happen in two ways:

One type of ischemic stroke is a

1. Thrombotic stroke. This is caused by a blood clot (thrombus) in one of the arteries of the head or neck, which severely reduces the blood flow. The thrombus may be a result of a build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) in the blood vessels.Another type of ischemic stroke is an
2.  Embolic stroke (or cerebral embolism). Caused when a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body (for example, the chambers of the heart) travels through the circulatory system to the brain. The traveling clot is called an embolus.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

The most severe type of brain stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain. Some people have defects in the blood vessels of the brain that make this more likely.

Stroke Symptoms & Warning signs.

According to neurologists, if a brain stroke can be immediately recognized and medical attention made available within three hours, it is normally possible to reverse the effects, often completely.

Doctors suggest one other way to know if a person has suffered a stroke - asks the patient to stick out his tongue. If his tongue is not straight or droops or slants to one side rather than coming straight out of his mouth, it is a sign of a stroke.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stroke happen quickly. A brain stroke may cause:

• Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
• Weakness or paralysis of eye muscles
• Sudden
• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
• A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
• Difficulty walking
• Gets worse when you change positions or when you bend, strain, or cough
• Confusion or loss of memory and other illegal drugs

Warning signs

• Worst headache
• Confusion.
• Sudden Difficulty speaking, writing or reading
• Unsteadiness or sudden falls.
• Changes vision
• Personality, mood, or emotional changes.
• Changes in taste
  

Causes of Stroke

The two main causes of brain strokes are termed ischemic and hemorrhagic and involve blood vessels in the brain. Ischemic strokes comprise about 80% to 85% of all strokes. With an ischemic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain becomes clogged with a clot just like the clogged arteries in the heart. With a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel in the brain actually bursts or leaks. Hemorrhagic strokes tend to be more serious. The distinction between these two types of stroke can be critical in determining the treatment used to help the patient.

Facts can’t control

•  Advancing age facts
• African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander
•  Family history of stroke Risk
• Gender men have a higher risk of brain stroke than women who have not reached menopause

Facts you can control

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Avoid smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Physically be active
• High alcohol intake
• Reduce stress
• Control your weight
• Taking cocaine and other illegal drugs

 Treatment of Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can save lives and reduce disability. Call 1122 or your local emergency number or seek urgent medical care at the first signs of a stroke.

In cases of ischemic stroke, it is common to give aspirin to reduce the risk of death or of a second stroke.If the cause of the stroke was a clot, it is possible that the quick administration of certain clot-dissolving drugs, such as alteplase, may prevent some symptoms such as paralysis. However, this is not a suitable treatment for all strokes, and can increase the risk of hemorrhagic brain stroke, so there are strict guidelines determining the circumstances in which it should be used.

Physicians have several tools available to screen for brain stroke risk and diagnose an active stroke. These include:

• Physical assessment –Blood pressure tests and blood tests to see cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and amino acid levels
• Brain surgery--If bleeding occurred, surgery is often needed to remove blood from around the brain and to fix damaged blood vessels.
• Arteriography-- A catheter is inserted into the arteries to inject a dye that can be picked up by X-rays.
• CT and MRI with angiography-- Scans that are aided by a dye that is injected into the blood vessels in order to provide clearer and more detailed images.
• Ultrasound--A wand waved over the carotid arteries in the neck can provide a picture that indicates any narrowing or clotting.

Home Treatment of Stroke

After a stroke, home treatment will be an important part of your rehabilitation. Family adjustment and support will be important to your loved one's recovery. Strong support from the family can greatly enhance recovery.

You may need to use assistive devices to help you:

• Eat. Large-handled silverware can be easier to grab and use if you have a weak hand. If you have trouble swallowing, you may need to change your diet or you may need further tests or an evaluation by a speech therapist.
• Managing vision problems. After a stroke, some people have problems seeing to one side. For example, people with right-sided paralysis may have difficulty seeing to the right.
• Get dressed. Devices called reaches can help you put on socks or stockings if you have weakness in one arm or hand.
• Walk. Canes and walkers can be used to help prevent falls.

How to reduce your risk of stroke

• Visit your doctor regularly for blood pressure checks and appropriate medication.
• Avoid smoking.
• Reduce alcohol intake.
• Exercise regularly Exercise strengthens the heart and improves circulation. It will also help you to lose excess weight.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Control your blood cholesterol.
• Control your diabetes, if you have it.
• Treating diabetes properly
• Not using drugs

Many people recover completely after a brain stroke. For others, it can take many months to recover from a stroke. Physical therapy and other retraining methods are greatly improving rehabilitation and recovery.