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If you or a loved one suffers from a stroke, the first thing to do is seek medical attention immediately. A stroke is a medical emergency, and you must know the signs and symptoms. First, you need to determine the affected area. Check one side of the face for signs of drooping, or check one arm for signs of weakness.
Symptoms
If you think someone you know is suffering from a stroke, it is important to seek medical treatment right away. This can reduce the chances of permanent brain damage and death. Treatment for a stroke can be started as soon as three hours after the initial symptoms. However, it may take some time to see any improvement.
One of the most common signs of a stroke is sudden weakness in one side of the body. This could include problems speaking or swallowing. The person may also have problems with memory, thinking and language. These difficulties can affect their ability to focus and make quick decisions. Seizures are also common after a stroke and can be treated with medicine.
Although stroke recovery is possible, many people never fully recover their abilities. Depending on the stroke, treatment may consist of inpatient rehabilitation at a hospital, outpatient therapy, or home therapy. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists may work with the patient to regain function. Many people with stroke also develop depression. This may affect their motivation to complete physical rehabilitation. They may also develop personality changes, which can be distressing for family members.
The majority of strokes are ischemic, or caused by a blockage of the blood vessels in the brain. This blockage occurs due to high blood pressure or a rupture of a blood vessel. The resulting pressure puts pressure on the brain tissue underneath. Fortunately, the sooner the symptoms are treated, the better.
People who experience a TIA have a partially blocked artery in their brain, which increases their risk of developing a full-blown stroke in the future. A TIA has more chances of happening if a person is older. Also, taking hormone treatments that contain estrogen can increase the risk of developing a stroke.
When a blood vessel in the brain is suddenly blocked, the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Without these essential nutrients, brain cells will begin to die, which may lead to permanent brain damage. In most cases, stroke is treatable, but the sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of recovery.
Causes
Stroke is caused by a loss of blood flow to part of the brain. Without blood flow, brain cells cannot receive oxygen and nutrients and die within minutes. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent brain damage and even death. Fortunately, stroke can be prevented with early treatment. Immediate treatment can reduce the risk of stroke and improve rehabilitation. Most strokes are ischemic in nature.
The most common cause is a clogged blood vessel in the brain. This blockage deprives the part of the brain that is supplied by the clotted artery of blood and oxygen. As a result, the cells in that area die. This happens when a buildup of cholesterol plaque develops in the tiny blood vessels of the brain. This clogs the artery, blocking the blood supply and causing stroke.
Lifestyle changes are important to preventing stroke. In addition to making lifestyle changes, you should address preexisting health conditions. High cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes are all risk factors for stroke. Managing these risk factors with medications is important for the prevention of stroke. It is also important to follow a healthy diet. A healthy diet contains low amounts of saturated fat and trans fat. Additionally, avoid salt and added sugars. You may also want to take blood-thinning medicines to prevent blood clots. Some of these medicines can be purchased over-the-counter.
Certain heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation, patent foramen ovale, and heart valve disease, are known to increase the risk of stroke. Certain drugs, including marijuana and alcohol, can also raise the risk. Genetic predispositions to abnormal blood clotting can also increase the risk of stroke.
One of the most common causes of stroke is a blockage in a blood vessel leading to the brain. This clot causes temporary visual loss. The patient may also experience dizziness and loss of balance. Other symptoms may include temporary double vision, one-sided weakness, or even complete paralysis.
If you suspect a person is having a stroke, call 911 right away. Depending on the symptoms, your doctor may need to perform imaging tests or order further testing. In addition to a physical examination, doctors may use X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging to determine the exact cause of the stroke.
Treatments
Treatments for stroke focus on restoring proper blood flow to the brain. Without oxygen, brain cells die and do not regenerate, resulting in severe physical and mental disabilities. A stroke happens when a blood clot forms in an artery in the brain and blocks blood flow. If the clot is detected in time, a medication called tPA is given to dissolve the clot. However, the patient must receive this medication within four hours of the stroke.
There are several types of treatments for stroke. Some treatments involve resuscitation. Surgery may be necessary to reopen the brain’s blood vessels. Other procedures include blood clot removal. Patients may receive intravenous thrombolytics to dissolve the blood clot. Some stroke patients may need endovascular recanalization therapy (ERT), a procedure where the blood clot is removed through the arteries. The UT Southwestern Medical Center was one of the first to offer ERT, and in 2015 it was confirmed as standard of care.
Preventative measures are also essential to stroke prevention. A stroke increases the risk of another one, so you may need to make lifestyle changes and take medicines to control your risk factors. Depending on your age, lifestyle, and medical history, preventive measures can be helpful. If you’re concerned about your risk factors, you should consult a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan that will address your unique circumstances.
After a patient has been ruled out for other health issues, the first step in stroke treatment is to determine the type of stroke. If it’s an ischemic stroke, for example, doctors want to restore blood flow to affected areas of the brain as soon as possible to limit any potential damage to the brain. This usually requires using thrombolytics and possibly a catheterization procedure.
Thrombolytic medications, such as aspirin, may also be used to prevent a clot from forming. These drugs can help dissolve existing clots but also increase the risk of dangerous bleeding complications.
Recovery
Recovery from a stroke can be a long and difficult process. Many factors can affect recovery, including the severity of the stroke. Some people recover rapidly, while others make gradual progress. In any case, it’s important to stay optimistic and work hard throughout the first few months. As a general rule, the earlier a person can begin rehabilitation, the better the chances they will have of making a full recovery.
After a stroke, your healthcare provider will likely give you specific advice about how to resume normal activities. You should never push yourself too far too early, as this can lead to another stroke or other complications. Remember, strokes can be fatal if left untreated, so you need to recover as quickly as possible.
Stroke recovery can take hours or days, so it’s important to know the signs of a stroke and what you can do to improve your chances of a full recovery. If you feel a sudden weakness or numbness, call for help right away. Emergency medical personnel will be able to send an ambulance to the scene as soon as possible. They will make sure to confirm that the stroke is a stroke by asking when symptoms started. Once they’ve confirmed this, they’ll send a message to the hospital to see if further assistance is needed.
The treatment options for a stroke are becoming increasingly effective, thanks to advances in brain science and technological advances in imaging and medications. Although a person should always seek medical care immediately after a stroke, early treatment can significantly limit the severity of the effects and even reverse some of the damage caused by a stroke.
Recovery from a stroke is different for every patient, depending on where and how the stroke occurred and how much damage it caused. However, one thing is certain: the main goal of rehabilitation is to reduce the effects of the damage done by the stroke. After a stroke, most people will need to spend time in a rehabilitation center. These centers are designed to help patients recover from stroke or a spinal cord injury.
The best way to improve the chances of a full recovery is to make sure you attend rehab and therapy appointments as prescribed. Additionally, remember to take care of your mental health as well. Depression and anxiety are common after a stroke, and if they’re left untreated, they can make it more difficult to recover.
