Brain Stroke
A stroke – also known as cerebro-vascular accident (CVA) – is a brain attack, a sudden interruption of blood flow to part of the brain causing it to stop working and eventually damaging brain cells. The effects can be devastating and may last a lifetime.
Causes:
The different types and causes of stroke are:
Ischaemic Stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, particularly in older people. An ischaemic stroke occurs when a clot blocks an artery in the brain. The clot usually forms in a small blood vessel inside the brain that has become narrow through high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking.
Embolic Stroke: This occurs when a blood clot or piece of plaque (cholesterol or calcium deposits) on the wall of an artery breaks loose and travels to the brain. When this happens, the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain is blocked and tissue is damaged or dies.
Haemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures (bursts) and leaks blood into the brain (cerebral haemorrhage). This break in the blood pipeline means parts of the brain are deprived of blood and a stroke occurs. Blood irritates brain tissue, causing swelling and pressure, which cause further damage and loss of function. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is when blood leaks into the surface of the brain. Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is when there is bleeding into the brain tissue itself.
Symptoms:
TIA is called ‘mini strokes’. The symptoms are very similar to those of a stroke but the affects are usually temporary, lasting less than 24-hours. Most people who have TIAs fully recover within a few minutes or an hour. Common symptoms may include: sudden weakness and/or numbness of face, arm and/or leg especially on one side of the body; sudden blurred or loss of vision in one or both eyes; sudden difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying and Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty controlling movements.
Frequenty Asked Question
People of all ages can suffer a stroke but 75 percent happen in people over 65. Ischaemic strokes are the most common strokes in older people while younger people are more likely to suffer a haemorrhagic stroke. Most subarachnoid haemorrhages occur in people under 65. Men are more likely than women, although pregnant women have a heightened risk. Other common risk factors include: family history; heart disease; heart rhythm disorders; smoking; diabetes; high blood cholesterol; high blood pressure; use of oral contraceptives; excessive alcohol intake and being overweight.
The FAST acronym is useful to identify Stroke:
Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred?
Time to call Our Clinic Emergency — If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call Our Clinic Emergency and get the person to the clinic immediately. Check the time so you will know when the first symptoms appeared.
