| A stroke, also known as a CVA (cerebrovascular | | | | weakness or complete paralysis because the |
| accident), is a life-threatening event in which the | | | | damage of a stroke is usually limited to one side |
| brain's oxygen supply has been cut off causing | | | | of the brain and each half of the brain controls |
| problems with such functions as speech, | | | | the function of the opposite side of the body. So |
| sensation, behavior, memory, and thought | | | | if a patient presents with left sided arm and leg |
| processes. A stroke may also result in paralysis, | | | | weakness, we know that the stroke has |
| coma, and even death. | | | | occurred on the right side of the brain. An MRI or |
| Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the | | | | MRA scan can usually identify where the stroke |
| United States and the second leading cause of | | | | has occurred. Most of the time, strokes are |
| neurological disability after Alzheimer's disease. The | | | | treated with medications to prevent further |
| incidence of stroke has slowly declined over the | | | | damage and lessen the chances of developing |
| last 30 years partly due to increased awareness | | | | additional strokes. Sometimes a surgical |
| of risk factors and improvement in prophylactic | | | | intervention is required depending on the type and |
| measures and better surveillance of those | | | | location of the vessel blockage. |
| individuals at increased risk. | | | | You can greatly reduce your risk of a stroke by |
| Strokes occur when an artery to the brain | | | | eating a healthy low fat diet, keeping your blood |
| becomes either blocked by a blood clot | | | | pressure low, exercising, keeping your weight |
| (thrombotic stroke) or when an artery bursts due | | | | down, not smoking, and by getting regular |
| to an aneurysm (hemorrhagic stroke). Brain tissue | | | | checkups and measurements of your cholesterol |
| deprived of oxygen dies within a few minutes | | | | levels. Elevated homocysteine levels have also |
| causing part of the body controlled by that | | | | been associated with the incidence of stroke. I |
| portion of the brain affected to lose function. | | | | also recommend that it is a good idea to take a |
| Symptoms of a stroke can include sudden | | | | baby aspirin (81 mg) daily if you are past the age |
| numbness and weakness in the face, arm, and | | | | of 50 or sooner if you have multiple risk factors |
| leg; usually on one side of the body. Other signs | | | | for stroke. Make sure that you check with your |
| and symptoms that can be associated with a | | | | doctor first before doing this as you should not |
| stroke can include difficulty talking (getting words | | | | be taking aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder or |
| out), slurred speech, blurred or complete loss of | | | | a history of peptic ulcer disease. |
| vision, usually in one eye, unexplained dizziness, or | | | | Treatment of stroke initially involves using |
| a sudden severe headache. | | | | thrombolytic (clot breaking) medication and |
| Approximately 10 per cent of strokes are | | | | measures to prevent further brain damage or |
| preceded by TIAs (transient ischemic attacks; | | | | another stroke. It is paramount in getting patients |
| also called mini-strokes). These TIAs can precede | | | | who have had a stroke to reduce their risk |
| a major stroke days, weeks, or even months | | | | factors such as getting them to quit smoking, |
| before a major stroke. They frequently last less | | | | bringing their blood pressure under control, and |
| than 5-10 minutes with symptoms similar to a | | | | treating their lipids (cholesterol) if those are |
| stroke, but symptoms usually completely resolve. | | | | elevated. Physical therapy and occupational |
| TIAs generally do not cause permanent damage | | | | therapy are important and often required in the |
| or functional loss, but they are a warning sign | | | | management and rehabilitation of patients after a |
| indicating that something critical is looming. One | | | | stroke in an attempt to improve and restore |
| should immediately visit their doctor or go to the | | | | motor function. The goal of therapy is to enable |
| emergency department for an evaluation because | | | | the patient to gain enough strength and motor |
| a stroke can be frequently prevented if the site | | | | function to be able to carry out their activities of |
| of the problem is identified and proper medical | | | | daily living. Speech therapy may also be important |
| care is instituted. | | | | to those patients suffering from speech |
| A stroke usually results in varying degrees of loss | | | | difficulties. |
| of sensation or function throughout the body | | | | The most important points to take from this |
| determined by the portion of the brain that has | | | | article are to be aware of the seriousness of the |
| been affected. Some stroke victims are unable to | | | | problem, the signs and symptoms of a stroke or |
| speak but everything else maybe normal. This is | | | | an impending stroke, and to modify your lifestyle |
| because the speech area of the brain has been | | | | to prevent a stroke from occurring. |
| damaged. Others may have right arm and leg | | | | |