Stroke
When a blood artery in the brain ruptures and bleeds, or when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, a stroke, or as its called brain attack ensues. Blood and oxygen are unable to reach the brain’s tissues due to the rupture or obstruction.
Brain cells and tissue are damaged and begin to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen.
Strokes are divided into three types:
- A blood clot causes a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which usually resolves on its own.
- Ischemic brain attack is caused by a blockage in the artery caused by a clot or plaque.
- Ischemic brain attack symptoms and effects can continue much longer than those of a TIA, and they can even be permanent.
- A burst or leaky blood artery that leaks into the brain causes hemorrhagic brain attack.
Stroke symptoms
The decrease of blood supply to the brain causes harm to the brain’s tissues. The bodily parts controlled by the damaged portions of the brain display symptoms of a stroke.
The sooner a person suffering from a stroke receives treatment, the higher their chances of recovering. As a result, knowing the symptoms of a stroke might help you respond fast. Symptoms of a stroke include:
- It’s difficult to communicate and understand what others are saying. You may be confused, slur your words, or have trouble understanding communication.
- Numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg. Your face, arm, or leg may experience abrupt numbness, weakness, or paralysis. This usually just affects one side of your body. At the same moment, try to raise both arms above your head. You may be having a stroke if one arm begins to fall. When you try to smile, one side of your lips may droop.
- One or both eyes have vision problems. You may have double vision or have blurred or darkened vision in one or both eyes.
Causes
A blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a leaking or bursting blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) are the two most common causes of brain attack. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a momentary interruption of blood flow to the brain that does not cause lasting symptoms in some patients.
Stroke treatment
The type of brain attack you suffer, as well as which part of the brain was damaged and what caused it, will determine your treatment options.
Medicine is frequently used to treat brain attack. Medicines that prevent and dissolve blood clots, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels are included.
Procedures to remove blood clots may be necessary in some cases. If your brain attack was caused by brain swelling, surgery may be necessary to treat it and limit the risk of additional bleeding.
Stroke recovery
People who survive a brain attack are frequently left with long-term issues as a result of brain damage.
Some people require extensive rehabilitation before recovering their previous independence, while others never fully recover and require continual assistance after a brain attack.
What is stroke rehabilitation?
Rehab can include working with speech, physical, and occupational therapists.
Speech therapy helps people who have problems producing or understanding speech.
Physical therapy uses exercises to help you relearn movement and coordination skills you may have lost because of the brain attack.
Occupational therapy focuses on improving daily activities, such as eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, reading, and writing.
Therapy and medicine may help with depression or other mental health conditions following a stroke. Joining a patient support group may help you adjust to life after a stroke. Talk with your healthcare team about local support groups, or check with an area medical center.
Support from family and friends will always also help relieve fear and anxiety following a stroke. Let your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you.
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