Stroke: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment And Types

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds in the brain, or when the blood flow to the brain is blocked. Breaking or blocking prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain tissues.

The fifth leading cause of death in united states according to the centers for disease control and prevention is stroke. More than 795,ooo peoples US people have stroke every year.

Without oxygen, brain cells and tissue will be damaged and will begin to die within minutes.

Symptom of stroke

As soon as the person having stroke get care, the higher the outcome is expected to be. For this It is very important for you to know about the stroke cause so can take action quickly. Stroke symptoms can include:

• paralysis
• Weakness in one side of body, especially in arm, face and leg
• Trouble in speaking
• Confusion
• Slurring speech
• Vision problem
• Trouble in walking
• Loss of balance
• Dizziness
• severe headache

An immediate medical attention is required in stroke. Quick treatment is the only way to be protected from following outcomes:

• brain damage
• long-term disability
• death

Stroke symptoms for women

The fourth leading cause of death in U.S. women is stroke. Women are at a higher lifelong risk of getting a stroke than men.

Although some stroke symptoms for women and men are same, some are more frequent in women.

Stroke symptoms that appear more commonly in women include:

• nausea or vomiting
• hallucination
• pain
• weakness
• shortness of breath
• fainting or losing consciousness
• seizures
• confusion or lack of responsiveness
• sudden behavioral changes

Women are more likely than men to die from a stroke, so it is essential to start treatment when you see the signs for a stroke in a woman.

Symptoms of stroke in men

The danger of stroke is more in men during their younger age then in women but the chances of death in men is lesser then in women.

Sign of stroke in men and women can be same. However some symptoms of stroke in men are more often. These are:

• Hanging on one side of the face
• slurred speech and difficulty speaking
• muscle weakness on one side of the body

Types of stroke

There are three main categories of stroke.

Ischemic stroke

The arteries that supply blood to the brain thin or become blocked during an ischemic stroke. These blockages are caused by blood clots or blood supply that has been significantly decreased. They can also be caused by plaque components due to atherosclerosis, which breaks down and blocks a blood artery.

The two most prominent forms of ischemic strokes are thrombotic and embolic.

Thrombotic stroke

A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot is formed in one of the arteries that delivers blood to the brain. The clot moves through the circulation and is stuck, which blocks the flow of blood. An embolic stroke happens when a blood clot or other debris forms in another area of the body and eventually moves to the brain.

Embolic Stroke

An embolic stroke is one of two types of ischemic stroke. It happens when a blood clot occurs in some area of the body — often the heart or arteries in the upper chest and neck — and passes through the bloodstream to the brain. The clot is trapped in the arteries of the brain, where it blocks the flow of blood and causes this disease.

Transient Ischemic Attack

A transient ischemic attack, also referred to as TIA or mini stroke, happens when blood supply to the brain is temporarily stopped. Symptoms, which are similar to those of a complete stroke, are normally transient and vanish after a few minutes or hours.

A TIA is normally caused by blood clots. It’s a sign of a potential stroke, so don’t forget the TIA. Look for the same treatment you would get for a big stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the artery in the brain is broken or the blood is leaking. Blood from the artery induces undue pressure in the skull and swells the brain, causing damage to brain cells and tissues.

The two forms of hemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral and subarachnoid. An intracerebral hemorrhagic, the most frequent form of hemorrhagic stroke, occurs when the tissues surrounding the brain are flooded with blood after the artery has exploded. Subarachnoid hemorrhagic is less frequent.

Stroke Treatment

Proper medical care and timely therapy are important for recovery from a stroke.

Treatment for stroke depends on the type of stroke:

Ischemic stroke and TIA

These types of strokes are caused by blood clots or other blockages in the brain. For this cause, they are largely handled with similar strategies, like:

Antiplatelet and anticoagulants

Over-the-counter aspirin is also the first line of protection against damages. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications should be used within 24 to 48 hours of the onset symptoms.

Clot-breaking drugs

Thrombolytic medicines can break down blood clots in the vessels of the brain that still resist the the disease and prevent brain injury.

One such drug, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or Alteplase IV r-tPA, is believed to be the gold standard in ischemic stroke care. It operates by rapidly dissolving blood clots if provided within the first 3 to 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms of the this disease.

Mechanical thrombectomy

During this treatment, the doctor places a catheter in a large blood artery inside the brain. They use a method to pull the clot out of the vessel. This surgery is more effective if it is done 6 to 24 hours after the stroke starts.

Surgery

In certain cases where other therapies do not function, your doctor can perform surgery to remove blood clots and plaques from your arteries. This can be done with a catheter or, if the clot is very large, the doctor can open an artery to clear the blockage.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Strokes caused by bleeds or brain leaks need a number of medical methods. Hemorrhagic stroke therapies include:

Medication

Unlike an ischemic stroke, if you have a hemorrhagic stroke, the aim of the recovery is to clot the blood. You can also be offered drugs to combat any blood thinners you take.

You can also be recommended medications that may decrease your blood pressure, decrease your brain pressure, avoid epilepsy, and avoid blood vessel constriction.

Coiling

During this treatment, the doctor can direct a long tube to a hemorrhage region or a damaged blood artery. They then add a coil-like structure in the region where the wall of the artery is thin. This blocks the flow of blood to the area, limiting bleeding.

Surgery

When the doctor sees that an aneurysm has broken, surgery can be performed to clip the aneurysm to avoid further bleeding. Craniotomy could also be required to alleviate the pressure on the brain following a major stroke.