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About Strokes (Annurisms)


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WHAT IS A STROKE?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the part of the brain is suddenly interrupted (ischemic) or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding the brain cells (hemorrhagic).

The symptoms of stroke are easy to spot: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; or loss of balance or coordination.

Brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or when they are damaged by sudden bleeding into or around the brain. These damaged cells can linger in a compromised state for several hours. With timely treatment, these cells can be saved.

A Stroke is diagnosed through several techniques:

a short neurological examination
blood tests
CT scans
MRI scans
Doppler ultrasound
and
arteriography.

Stroke seems to run in some families. Family members may have a genetic tendency for stroke or share a lifestyle that contributes to stroke.

The most important risk factors for stroke are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Other risks include heavy alcohol consumption, high blood cholesterol levels, illicit drug use, and genetic or congenital conditions.

Some risk factors for stroke apply only to women. Primary among these are pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.

Is there any treatment?

Generally, there are three treatment stages for stroke:
prevention, therapy immediately after stroke, and post-stroke rehabilitation.

Therapies to prevent stroke are based on treating an individual's underlying risk factors. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a stroke while it is happening.
Post-stroke rehabilitation is to overcome disabilities that result from stroke damage.
Medication or drug therapy is the most common treatment for stroke.

Surgery
can be used to prevent stroke, to treat acute stroke, or to repair vascular damage or malformations in and around the brain.

For most stroke patients, physical therapy is the cornerstone of the rehabilitation process.

What is the prognosis?

Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body.

Some of the disabilities that can result from stroke include paralysis, cognitive deficits, speech problems, emotional difficulties, daily living problems, and pain.