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Stroke
A stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease, which means it relates to the heart and the blood vessels. It affects the blood vessels that are supplying blood and therefore oxygen, within the brain. There is either a blockage or a rupture of the blood cells. The brain contains nerve cells, and if they are deprived of oxygen, they die within a few minutes.
When the nerve cells have been destroyed, then the part of the body they controlled is unable to function as well. Unfortunately brain cells cannot reproduce, and this means the effects of a stroke can be both permanent and devastating.
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There are four different types of stroke; the ischemic strokes are caused by blockages, and bleeding causes the hemorrhage strokes. Clots or particles that block an artery cause cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism. These types of stroke are the most prevalent. Ruptured blood vessels cause cerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages. These hemorrhaging strokes cause more deaths, than the strokes caused by blood clots.
CEREBRAL THROMBOSIS
Atherosclerosis is the build up of fatty deposits of the arteries, which leads to blood clots, this can eventually cause a cerebral thrombosis; this is the most commonly occurring stroke. They are more prevalent either at night or first thing in the morning when the blood pressure is low.
CEREBRAL EMBOLISM
A traveling clot is formed away from the brain, usually in the heart, and is transported arterially to the brain. Once it lodges in the brain it blocks the supply of oxygen, and causes immediate damage. Many of these embolic clots are formed during atrial fibrillation. This occurs when the atria does not beat methodically, they have developed a tremble. Effectively when the heart then beats it does not pump all the blood out, and the remainder forms clots.
CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE
This occurs when an artery in the brain bursts, and floods the surrounding tissue. This is caused by a head injury of a burst aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weak spot in the artery wall, pouches filled with blood form, and then they balloon outwards. This condition is severely aggravated by high blood pressure. Because the brain has lost its supply of blood some cells will not work. There is also a resultant pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, and the severity of the pressure will determine its results. This increased pressure leads to a high mortality rate, but those that recover have a greater chance of recovery than the sufferers of strokes, which have been caused by clots. When a blood vessel bursts it compresses part of the brain, gradually the pressure is released, and the brain can take control of its prior functions. In the case of strokes, which have been caused by clots, the cells have been destroyed.
SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE
This is a rupture of a blood vessel on the brains surface, and the blood leaks between the brain and the surrounding skull, nut not into the brain itself
SYMPTOMS
These very much depend on the type of stroke, and the extent of the injury.
WARNING SIGNS
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Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
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Sudden confusion, trouble with speaking or understanding.
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Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
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Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
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Sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause.
A stroke is a real medical emergency and every second counts, get immediate medical assistance and note the time. Not all the warning signs will be present in every stroke, don't waste time looking for all of them.
RISK FACTORS
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High Blood Pressure (140/90 mm Hg or higher)
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Smoking
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Diabetes Diabetes is defined as a fasting plasma glucose (blood sugar) of 126 mg/dL or more measured on two occasions. Whilst diabetes is treatable, having it still increases a person's risk of stroke. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight. This increases their risk even more.
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Carotid or Other Artery Disease .The carotid arteries in the neck supply blood to the brain. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis may become blocked by a blood clot.
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Atrial fibrillation
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Other Heart Disease. People with coronary heart disease or heart failure have more than twice the risk of stroke as those with hearts that work normally.
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Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that is prevalent in Africans "Sickled" red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen the body's tissues and organs. They also tend to stick to blood vessel walls. This can block arteries to the brain and cause a stroke.
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Obesity and physical inactivity.
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High Blood Cholesterol .A high blood cholesterol level (240 mg/dL or higher) is bad because cholesterol can build up on the inner walls of arteries. And narrowed arteries are more likely to become blocked, causing a heart attack or stroke.
DIAGNOSIS
The tests for a stroke are complicated, a CAT scan (computerized axial tomographic) will show which type of stroke has occurred, if after an neurological examination, a stroke is suspected.
TREATMENT
Surgery, drugs, acute hospital care and rehabilitation are all accepted stroke treatments.
A WORD OF CAUTION: Please do not use this information to diagnose individual cases. Every case is unique and needs professional help to both diagnose and treatment.GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ANEURYSM
An aneurysm is a weak spot in the artery wall, pouches filled with blood form, and then they balloon outwards.
BRAIN
One of the two components of the central nervous system, the brain is the centre of thought and emotion. It is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities, and the interpretation of information from the senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.).
EMBOLISM
Embolism occurs when a travelling clot or some other particle (an embolus) forms away from the brain, usually in the heart.
FIBRILLATION
Uncontrolled rapid contraction of the fibres in the heart that occurs in the atrial, or upper, chambers (atrial fibrillation) and in the ventricular, or lower, chambers (ventricular fibrillation)
