The stroke needs immediate medical assistance as it is a medical emergency. It majorly impacts the ‘brain’ which is one of the most essential organs of our body and plays a significant role as it takes care of the whole body and its various functions. Medical experts have said that treating it is quite a difficult task and it may not always be cured fully. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of its consequences beforehand.
What is Stroke
Stroke is the result of interruption or the reduced amount of blood flow that is blocked and does not reach the brain, preventing brain tissue to receive sufficient levels of oxygen. Therefore, it is observed as a critical and absolute medical emergency.
Types of Stroke
Firstly, a variant of stroke is known as a mini-stroke. Under this, the time duration of the blockage created by the interruption of the proper blood flow remains for a very short amount of time. Other types of strokes are
Ischemic stroke This type of stroke is the most common stroke. It occurs due to some particles interrupting the blood vessels to the brain or the blood clotting.
Also, another cause has been noted as the collecting of fatty deposits called plaque in the blood vessel.
Hemorrhagic stroke When the artery rupture or leaks blood, it causes a hemorrhagic stroke. Next, due to this intense pressure put by the leaked blood, it results in damage to the brain cells.
Two of the very common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are either balloon-like bulges or high blood pressure.
Causes of Stroke
- 1. Collection of fatty deposits
- 2. Bursting of a blood vessel
- 3. Blocked artery
- 4. High blood pressure,
- 5. High cholesterol
- 6. Smoking
- 7. Obesity
- 8. Diabetes
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How is it Formed
For the brain to work properly the brain must receive adequate amounts of blood flow. So, if anything blocks the way for the brain to receive blood supply, such interruption starts blocking the brain and its surroundings and its tissues start to die. This blockage does not allow tissues to get oxygen and within a few minutes, it causes a stroke.
Symptoms
- 1. Paralysis
- 2. Numbness of different body parts
- 3. Difficulty walking
- 4. Difficulty speaking
- 5. Difficulty understanding
- 6. Stiffness of muscles
- 7. Vision difficulties
- 8. Mental confusion
- 9. Muscle weakness
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Diagnosis
- 1. Physical exam
- 2. Blood tests
- 3. CT scan
- 4. MRI
- 5. Echocardiogram
- 6. Cerebral angiogram
- 7. Carotid ultrasound
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DO’s
- 1. Call someone from the medical team immediately
- 2. Note the onset of symptoms timing
- 3. Take complete rest after a stroke
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DON’TS
- 1. Don’t eat or drink anything
- 2. Don’t drink to the hospital yourself
- 3. Don’t go to sleep
- 4. Don’t take any medicines if not prescribed
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Treatments
Deciding whether the rest is meant to be done through medicines or surgery depends on the individual’s condition.
As it is known that stroke is of two main types Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Further, a stroke can be treated through various treatment methods.
Non Surgical Treatments
Thrombolysis – “clot buster” medicine It is used for the treatment of Ischemic strokes. Simply, it takes the use of injections of a medicine called alteplase to resolve any blot clots and restores the functioning of the brain. Further, such clot-busting is also thrombolytic and Alteplase is
Aspirin and other antiplatelets
Aspirin is often given immediately after having an ischemic stroke. It is used as an antiplatelet and a pain reliever. More importantly, it helps reduce the risk of having another blood clot.
Anticoagulants
It is another effective medication prescribed for the patient with a stroke to prevent another blood clot from forming in the future.
Blood pressure medicines Knowing that high blood pressure is one of the major factors that cause stroke, some medication may also be provided by the doctor to bring back blood pressure levels under control. Medications such as thiazide diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzymes, alpha-blockers,
calcium channel blockers and beta blockers
Surgical Treatments
Thrombectomy
A surgical procedure for a small stroke. Undergoing this surgery as soon as a stroke is identified has greater chances of complete recovery. This procedure helps elevate blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain.
Carotid endarterectomy Sometimes, a stroke can occur due to the narrowing of an artery, which is caused due to build-up of plaque.
This artery is responsible for the flowing of blood to the brain. When such narrowing of the artery is severe, surgery is recommended by the surgeon, post-diagnosis.
Craniotomy
Another effective procedure is to restore the normal state of a person. Under this surgical procedure, some section of the skull is removed, as it allows the surgeon to see the affected area.
Once the source of bleeding has been identified damaged blood vessels are restored and it is made sure that no blood clots remain. Now, for the final step, the piece of skull that was removed is carefully replaced using a metal plate.
Risks And Complications
Major risks associated with a stroke are
- 1. High blood pressure
- 2. Diabetes
- 3. High blood cholesterol
- 4. Heart and blood vessels disease
- 5. Smoking
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Complications associated with a stroke are
- 1. Blood clots
- 2. Memory loss
- 3. Muscle weakness
- 4. Brain swelling
- 5. Depression
- 6. Vision problems
- 7. Bed sores
- 8. Hearing problems
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If Left Untreated
The longer the duration remains for the stroke to be left untreated, the more severe the brain is damaged.
A stroke should never be left untreated, delayed, or put on wait for the symptoms to stop. This type of condition is only treated with medical assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of stroke?
High blood pressure is considered the main cause of stroke. Along with this, having high blood pressure also increases the risk of it in diabetic patients.
What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke?
In case of likely experiencing or already experiencing a stroke or need to help someone else. Carefully read these 5 warning signs of a stroke.
- 1. Sudden trouble seeing
- 2. Sudden numbness
- 3. Sudden headache
- 4. Sudden ing facing difficulty walking
- 5. Suddenly experience confusion
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What are the 3 signs of a stroke?
Three signs of a stroke are following
- 1. Suddenly experiencing numbness.
- 2. Suddenly experiencing confusion.
- 3. Suddenly facing difficulty seeing.
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How to avoid a stroke?
It all starts with committing yourself to live healthily from this very moment. Quick small steps toward a healthy life can be
- 1. Eat and drink foods that are completely good for your health.
- 2. Keep a track of your weight. Don’t lose, don’t gain, and keep a balanced weight.
- 3. Quit smoking and drinking.
- 4. Get a regular health check-up.
- 5. If taking any medications, follow all the dosages on time.
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What is the best treatment for stroke?
Alteplase or in other words an IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is recommended for stroke, especially used for the treatment of ischemic stroke conditions.
Can you recover 100% from a stroke?
It has been recorded that the time of healing or recovery from a stroke can turn out to be different for each individual.
Some recover within a short time, but others may face lifelong complications. That is, a stroke can take weeks, months, or even years for the patient to complete recovery.
What is the fastest way to cure a stroke?
Getting immediate medical treatment is the fastest and the only possible way recommended by expert doctors in terms of curing a patient from a stroke. As a result, doing so also ensures fewer complications.
Which tablet is best for stroke?
Aspirin in most cases is the doctor’s immediate recommendation In case of an ischaemic stroke. Other medications may also be prescribed according to the condition later on such as dipyridamole and clopidogrel.
What is the best recovery from a stroke?
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are recommended for stroke patients.
- 1. Physical therapy brings back coordination skills and restores movement in the body.
- 2. Occupational therapy creates back the routine life of the person by focusing on simple tasks such as drinking, reading, dressing, or writing.
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Can a stroke repair itself?
A stroke takes away the mobility and ability of the victim who has experienced it. Though, in earlier times repair from a stroke seemed difficult.
But, now with medical advancement, it has become possible to regain the functioning of the brain.
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