A stroke can cause memory loss, speech impairment, reasoning ability, loss of vision, paralysis, coma, and death, depending on what region of the brain is affected. Strokes are considered to be medical emergencies that require immediate treatment. About one third of strokes can be followed by transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes).
These strokes temporarily interrupt blood flow to the brain and cause similar symptoms like sudden vision loss or temporary weakness in a limb. Quick treatment can improve the chances of survival and increase the degree of recovery.
A person who may have suffered a stroke should be seen in a hospital emergency room immediately. To be most effective, blood clot prevention treatment should begin within three hours of a stroke. More than half a million people in the United States experience a new or recurrent stroke each year. Three million Americans are currently permanently disabled from stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke kills about 150, 000 Americans each year. Two thirds of strokes occur in people over age 65.
Research shows that strokes affect men more often than women for some reason, although women are more likely to die from a stroke. Contributing factors in these types of strokes are usually atherosclerosis or hypertension. Risk factors for stroke involve sex, age, diseases, heredity, lifestyle choices and medical conditions. Men are more likely to have a stroke than women. The risk of stroke increases with age, doubling each decade after the age of 55. People with heart disease, diabetes, prior stroke or high blood pressure are at greater risk for stroke. People with a family history of stroke are at an increased risk of stroke.
The Term Paper on Stroke Risk Factors
Stroke, an injury to the brain from failure in blood flow or bleeding leaves millions of human beings disabled. This is one of the most devastating and costly health problems that society faces. It affects more than 500, 000 Americans each year, although Americans managed to cut the stroke death rate nearly in half during the 1970's and 1980's the 1990's is the Decade of the Brain. The nonfatal ...
Patients with one or more transient ischemic attacks have ten times the risk of stroke. Stroke risk increases with high blood cholesterol, high red blood cell count, and obesity. African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics all have higher rates of stroke than whites, in relation to higher blood pressure, for some reason. Stroke risk also increases with cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, cocaine and intravenous drug usage. Causes and symptoms: Study shows that there are four main forms of stroke: cerebral embolism, cerebral thrombosis, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism are known as ischemic strokes. They are caused by blood clots that block an artery supplying the brain. They can be in the neck or in the brain. These strokes account for seventy to eighty percent of all strokes. Intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage are hemorrhagic strokes that occur when a blood vessel bursts in or around the brain. They are caused by excessive internal pressure or trauma. Symptoms : Knowing the symptoms of a stroke is very important. Patients with symptoms of stroke should seek emergency treatment immediately.
Certain symptoms of a stroke depends on the type of stroke. However, there are some characteristics that are common with all types of stroke. symptoms of a thrombotic stroke are more gradual while, an embolic stroke usually occurs suddenly may be very intense from the start. These ischemic strokes may include syptoms like decreased vision or blurring in both or one eye, severe headaches, numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm, and legs (usually occurring on one side of the body) dizziness, along with loss of balance and coordination. Though, hemorrhagic strokes are different.
The Essay on Stroke Blood Flow
... blood flow is temporarily interrupted, causing short lived stroke like symptoms. This kind of Ischemic stroke accounts for 60% of a stroke cases. Embolic stroke ... who experience a sub arachnoid hemorrhage die. Half of those ... Stroke 4 Hemorrhagic Stroke 5 Stroke Warning Signs. 6 Risk Factors Treatable Risk ... stroke represents about 10% of all strokes. The most common cause is uncontrolled high blood ...
Symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage include severe headache that begins suddenly, vomiting, nausea, stiff neck, light intolerance and loss of consciousness. An intracranial hemorrhage may exhibit extreme hypertension, loss of consciousness, paralysis (especially on one side of the body), seizure, vomiting, severe nausea, altered mental state weakness, numbness, severe or sudden headache. Diagnosis Diagnosing a stroke usually begins with a careful medical history, especially concerning the distribution and onset of the symptoms and the presence of risk factors, so that other possible causes are excluded.
Performing a brief neurological exam may be used to identify the location and degree of any deficits, such as vision loss, weakness, or lack of coordination. Once stroke is suspected imaging technology is used to determine which type of stroke the patient has suffered. Blood and urine tests are run to look for abnormalities. A non contrast computed tomography scan (CT scan) is used to identify hemorrhagic strokes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect ischemic strokes, caused by blood clots, earlier and more reliably than CT scanning. Other investigations include electrocardiogram, angiography, ultrasound, and electroencephalogram.
Prevention: The risks of stroke can be reduced through daily, basic lifestyle changes. These changes include getting regular exercise, stop smoking, controlling blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive alcohol and drug consumption, getting regular checkups, following a nutricious diet and taking the required medications to prevent the risks of stroke. Research shows that treatment of atrial fibrillation may also significantly reduce the risk of stroke. Warfarin (Coumadin) has also been proven to be more effective than aspirin for those with higher risk of stroke.
