STROKE TYPES, COMPLICATIONS, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT
A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds or when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Blood and oxygen cannot reach the brain’s tissues because of the rupture or obstruction. Brain tissue and cells are damaged and start to die within minutes of being oxygen-deprived.
Strokes often come in three different forms:
1. TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC STROKE:
A blood clot is involved in a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which normally reverses on its own.
2. ISCHEMIC STROKE:
An arterial obstruction brought on by a clot or plaque is the main cause of an ischemic stroke.
3. HEMORRHAGIC STROKE:
A blood vessel that bursts or leaks into the brain is what causes a hemorrhagic stroke.
STROKE SYMPTOMS:
The better the prognosis for someone experiencing a stroke, the earlier they receive treatment. Because of this, being aware of the symptoms of a stroke will help you take immediate action. Some signs of a stroke include:
- paralysis
- difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Lack of clarity, disorientation, or responsiveness
- unexpected behavioral alterations, particularly higher levels of anxiety
- visual issues, such as double vision or difficulty seeing with one or both eyes that are blurry or blacked out.
- difficulty walking.
- loss of equilibrium or coordination.
- intense, abrupt headaches;
- dizziness.
- seizures; nausea or vomiting
Any stroke victim needs to see a doctor right away. Call your local emergency services as soon as you suspect that you or someone else is experiencing a stroke. Early intervention is essential to avoiding the following consequences:
- Brain injury
- Long-term impairment
- Death
TYPES OF STROKE:
Don’t be scared to seek emergency medical assistance if you believe you have seen the symptoms of a stroke because it’s best to be extra careful while dealing with a stroke.
Depending on the type of stroke, a different cause may apply. There are three primary types of strokes:
- Temporary ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
- hemorrhagic stroke
- Ischemic stroke
These categories can be further divided into other stroke types, such as
- embolic stroke
- intracranial bleed
- thrombotic stroke
- a subarachnoid bleed
Your treatment options and level of recovery will depend on the type of stroke you experience.
1. ISCHEMIC STROKE:
The arteries providing blood to the brain constrict or get blocked during an ischemic stroke. These obstructions are brought either by blood clots or significantly decreased cerebral blood flow Cerebral embolism and cerebral thrombosis are the two types of ischemic stroke.
a. CEREBRAL EMBOLISM:
When a blood clot forms in another area of the body, it can cause a brain embolism. The blood flow is blocked by the clot getting stuck, which results in a stroke.
b. CEREBRAL THROMBOSIS:
When a blood clot forms at the fatty plaque inside the blood vessel, it is known as cerebral thrombosis.
2. TRANISIENT ISCHEMIC STROKE:
A transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA or mini-stroke, happens when the brain’s blood supply is momentarily interrupted. The signs resemble those of a complete stroke. But they usually pass quickly after a few minutes or hours, when the blockage is removed and the blood flow is resumed. A TIA typically results from a blood clot. A TIA serves as a warning that a true stroke may occur even if it isn’t strictly classified as one.
3. HEMORRHAGIC STROKE:
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a brain artery bursts or begins to spill blood. The blood from that artery increases the pressure inside the skull and causes the brain to expand, harming the brain’s structures and cells.
Intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhagic strokes are the two types.
4. INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGIC STROKE:
The most frequent kind of hemorrhagic stroke is an intracerebral one. It takes place when an artery ruptures, causing the tissues around the brain to fill with blood.
5. SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE STROKE:
Strokes caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage are less frequent. The space between the brain and the tissues that cover it bleeds as a result.
RISK FACTORS OF STROKE:
You are more prone to stroke if you have certain risk factors. Risk factors for stroke include the following,
DIET:
A poor diet can make you more susceptible to stroke. This kind of diet has many of:
- cholesterol
- saturated fats
- trans fat
- salt
INACTIVITY:
Lack of exercise or inactivity itself might increase the risk of stroke. There are several health advantages to regular exercise. Adults should exercise for at least 2.5 hours per week, according to the CDC.
HEAVY DRINKING:
With heavy drinking comes an increased risk of stroke. Blood pressure might increase with frequent heavy drinking. Additionally, it may increase triglyceride levels, which may result in atherosclerosis.
CONSUMPTION OF NICOTINE:
Since smoking can harm the heart and blood vessels, it also increases the risk of stroke. Blood pressure is also raised by nicotine.
PERSONAL HISTORY:
You have no control over several stroke risk factors, including:
- Family history: such as high blood pressure, increases the risk of stroke in some families.
- Sex: Women are more likely than men to do so across all age categories.
- Age: Stroke increases with age.
- Race and ethnicity: African Americans, Alaska Natives and American Indians are more likely to experience a stroke.
HEALTH BACKGROUND:
The risk of stroke is connected to particular medical problems. These consist of:
- a history of stroke or TIA
- elevated cholesterol or
- blood pressure levels
- being overweight
- coronary artery disease is one example of a heart condition.
- faulty heart valves
- irregular heartbeats and enlarged heart chambers
- a sickle cell condition
- Patent foramen ovule (PFO)
COMPLICATION:
The issues could be brought on by a persistent impairment of abilities or direct harm to the brain during the stroke.
These complications include, among other
SEIZURES:
- Losing control of one’s urine and bowels
- Diminished mobility, or decreased capacity to control specific muscle motions.
DEPRESSION:
- Alterations in emotion
- Body ache
- Alterations in perception or feeling
STROKE PREVENTION:
Not all strokes can be avoided with lifestyle changes. However, several of these modifications can significantly reduce your risk of stroke.
The following modifications are among them:
STOP SMOKING:
If you smoke, give it up today to reduce your chance of stroke.
STOP ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
Drinking too much might cause your blood pressure to rise, which increases your risk of having a stroke.
DO OVERWEIGHT MANAGEMENT:
Obesity and being overweight raises the risk of stroke.
FOLLOW-UP WITH CONSULTANT:
Discuss with your doctor how frequently you should have your blood pressure, cholesterol, and any other conditions checked.
All of these steps will help you become in better shape to ward off strokes.
STROKE DIAGNOSIS:
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
To determine your stroke risk factors, they will review your medical history. Additionally, you’ll undergo a physical examination, during which your physician will assess you for:
- weakness
- Body Balance
- Coordination
- Your arms, face, or legs are numb.
- represent confusion
- eyesight problems
TEST:
To further aid in determining whether you’ve had a stroke or to rule out another ailment, your doctor may prescribe several tests. These tests consist of:
- Blood test
- CT Scan
- MRI scan
- Electrocardiogram EKG
- Cerebral angiography
- Carotid scanning an ultrasound
- Echocardiogram (ECHO)
STROKE TREATMENT:
Different stroke types require different treatments.
1. ISCHEMIC STROKE AND TIA:
These different types of strokes are often treated using the same methods because they are all caused by a blood clot or blockage in the brain. They may consist of
Medications that dissolve blood clots:
Thrombolytic medications can dissolve blood clots in your brain’s arteries, stopping a stroke and minimizing brain damage. One such medication, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), also known as Alteplase IV r-tPA is regarded as the gold standard of ischemic stroke care.
This medication works rapidly removing blood clots.
A tPA injection increases recovery from a stroke and decreases the risk of long-term disability in those who receive it.
Mechanical thrombectomy:
A catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel inside your head during this surgery by a specialist. The clot is subsequently extracted from the vessel using a device. The best chance of success for this procedure is if it is done 6 to 24 hours after the stroke starts.
Stents:
If a doctor discovers a weak spot in the artery walls, they may perform surgery to expand the constricted artery and strengthen the artery walls with a stent.
Surgery:
Surgery can be used to remove a blood clot and artery plaques in the uncommon event that other therapies fail. A catheter might be used during this procedure. An artery may need to be opened by a surgeon if the clot is particularly large to be removed.
2. HEMORRHAGE STROKE:
Different approaches to treatment are necessary for strokes brought on by bleeding or leaks in the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is treated with:
Medications:
In contrast to an ischemic stroke, the goal of treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke is to induce a blood clot. As a result, you can be prescribed medication to balance out any blood thinners you take.
Additionally, medications that can:
- lower your blood pressure
- reduce the pressure inside the brain
- prevent blood vessel narrowing
- prevent seizures
Coiling:
In the weak spot in the artery wall, they next insert a coil-like device. This lessens bleeding by obstructing blood flow to the location
Clamping:
To stop further bleeding, a surgeon may insert a tiny clamp near the aneurysm’s root. Cutting off the blood flow avoids the possibility of a blood vessel breaking or fresh bleeding
Surgery:
If an aneurysm has ruptured, your doctor may perform surgery to clip the aneurysm and stop further bleeding. Similar to how a big stroke may necessitate a craniotomy to release pressure on the brain.
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