A stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part of
the brain.
Main cause is either blockage of the arteries around the
brain or bursting of them. Arteries
around the brains are quite thin, so embolism occurs in those arteries due to
blood clot. And blood clot occurs usually due to excessive fat in the body.
There are four types of strokes.
1.
Cerebral thrombosis occurs when a blood clot, or
thrombus, forms within the brain itself, blocking the flow of blood through the
affected vessel.
2.
Cerebral embolism occurs when a blood clot from
elsewhere in the circulatory system breaks free. If it becomes lodged in an
artery supplying the brain, either in the brain or in the neck, it can cause a
stroke
3.
Hemorrhage, or bleeding, occurs when a blood
vessel breaks, either from trauma or excess internal pressure.
4.
Intra-cerebral hemorrhage affects vessels within
the brain itself, while subarachnoid hemorrhage affects arteries at the brain's
surface, just below the protective arachnoid membrane.
Risk factors for stroke involve-
Age and sex: The risk
of stroke increases with age, doubling for each decade after age 55. Men are
more likely to have a stroke than women.
Heredity: Blacks,
Asians, and Hispanics have higher rates of stroke than do whites, related
partly to higher blood pressure. People with a family history of stroke are at
greater risk.
Diseases: Stroke risk
is increased for people with diabetes, heart disease (especially atrial
fibrillation), high blood pressure, prior stroke, or TIA. Risk of stroke
increases tenfold for someone with one or more TIAs.
Other medical conditions: Stroke risk increases with
obesity, high blood cholesterol level, or high red blood cell count.
Hormone replacement therapy:
In postmenopausal women
Lifestyle choices:
Stroke risk increases with cigarette smoking (especially if combined
with the use of oral contraceptives), low level of physical activity, alcohol
consumption above two drinks per day, or use of cocaine or intravenous drugs.
Symptoms may include-
·
Blurring or decreased vision in one or both
eyes.
·
Severe headache, often described as "the
worst headache of my life".
·
Weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the face,
arm, or leg, usually confined to one side of the body.
·
Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination,
especially when combined with other symptoms.
Symptoms of an embolic stroke usually come
on quite suddenly and are at their most intense right from the start, while
symptoms of a thrombotic stroke come on more gradually.
Preventive measures-
·
Keep your blood pressure low. Always keep
monitoring if you are at a high risk (already had a stroke).
·
Quit smoking and save your life.
·
Diet: Fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables, whole
grain bread/cereals/rice/pasta, avoid red meats and choose poultry and fish,
avoid unhealthy foods and sugary foods, try for low fat diet.
·
Exercise on a regular basis.
0 comments:
Post a Comment