Stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke develops when the blood supply to a part of your brain is reduced or cut off. This deprives your brain tissue of vital nutrients and oxygen. In minutes, brain cells can start to die.

A stroke is considered a medical emergency, making prompt treatment imperative.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

It’s important that you’re aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as:

• Difficulty understanding and speaking (slurring words)
• Paralysis or numbness of the arm, leg, or face
• Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Altered consciousness
• Trouble walking
• Loss of balance and coordination

You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice the symptoms or signs of a stroke, even if you think the symptoms are starting to subside.

What causes a stroke?

A stroke can occur when a blood clot develops in one of the arteries that supply blood to your brain. A clot might be caused by fatty deposits called plaque that accumulate in your arteries and decrease blood flow. Other medical conditions related to the arteries might also play a role.

A hemorrhagic stroke (brain hemorrhage) is the result of a blocked artery or the bursting or leaking of a blood vessel.

Some people experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain and don’t suffer any permanent damage.

Factors that might play a role in causing a stroke include:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Weak areas in your blood vessel walls (aneurysms)
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Being obese or overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Heavy alcohol consumption

Your risk also increases if you use illicit drugs, such as methamphetamines and cocaine.

How is a stroke treated?

The way your stroke is treated depends on the type of stroke you’re having.

Some medications work as clot-busting drugs, and the therapy must begin within 4½ hours if administered into the vein. To treat some types of strokes, blood flow must be restored to the brain. Other treatments focus on controlling your bleeding and decreasing pressure in your brain.

In some cases, surgery might be necessary to deliver medications to your brain.

To try to prevent a stroke, you can:

• Control your blood pressure
• Lower your cholesterol
• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Consume a nutrient-dense diet
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid illegal drugs

You could also try using preventive medications, such as anti-platelet drugs.

Brandon Riverview Medical Associates is here to help you in your time of need. Call one of the offices or book your visit here on the website.