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Stroke
A stroke, also called brain attack is a medical emergency
wherein blood flow to the brain stops and the brain cells begin to die
within minutes causing permanent neurological damage, complications and
death. Brain stroke is of two kinds - ischemic stroke & hemorrhagic
stroke. The more common one is ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blood
clot that plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The hemorrhagic stroke is
caused by breakage and bleeding of blood vessels in the brain. Transient
ischemic attacks occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly
interrupted.
Symptoms
The symptoms of brain stroke appear all of a sudden and with high severity.
Some common symptoms are as follows:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
- Trouble seeing / blurred vision in one or both eyes.
- Trouble in walking, dizziness, loss of balance / coordination.
- Unexpected severe headache with no known cause.
In case the above mentioned symptoms are seen, seek medical assistance as
soon as possible.
Who are at High Risk?
Stroke can occur in people of all age groups and in both sexes. It can occur
before birth, even when the fetus is in the womb. People with the following
factors are more prone to stroke:
- Advanced age.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
- Diabetes.
- High cholesterol.
- Cigarette smoking.
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Lack of physical activity, obesity and unhealthy diet.
- Heavy alcohol consumption.
Treatment
People who have had a stroke are admitted in the specialized wing that is
dedicated to the area and is staffed by therapists with experience in stroke
treatment. It is evident that patients admitted in the stroke unit have a
higher and better chance of survival than those admitted in general or in
any other department. When a stroke is suspected by history and physical
examination, the primary goal is to assess the cause immediately. Treatment
to stroke varies according to the cause and type of the stroke, ischemic or
hemorrhagic. A CT scan rapidly helps in identifying a stroke by imaging in
or around the brain.
