Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain has been halted due to a clot or bleeding into the brain. Therefore, blood is unable to reach all destinations of the brain, resulting in a stroke. The person experiencing a stroke will begin to exhibit signs and symptoms. Some signs come and go usually within 5 minutes and leave no lasting effects. However, symptoms lasting longer may indicate a major stroke is occurring. Even if symptoms are short lived, it is imperative to get medical help immediately. If not treated as soon as possible, major brain damage and lifelong disabilities could result.
What signs to look for.
- Tingling sensation in the face or extremities - Paralysis or weakness on one side - Difficulty speaking - Inability to understand speech - Blindness - Dizziness - Pain - Nausea/vomiting - Sudden intense headache
If you or anyone around you is having these symptoms, call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.
Risks for Stroke:
- Age: At age 55 the risk of stroke doubles every ten years after - Race - Gender: Typically, women are less likely to experience a stroke than men - Previous stroke - Fractures resulting in a fat embolism - Family History - Atrial Fibrillation
How to reduce your risk:
Manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise. Quit Smoking. Take medications as prescribed by your physician.
A CT, MRI or Angiogram is what doctor's will use in order to determine what type of stroke someone has experienced as well as its location and the extent of damage it has caused.
Medications such as clot busters or tPA must be given to the patient within hours of experiencing a stroke. For more severe types of stroke such as ischemic and hemorrhagic, surgical intervention is required.
After Care:
Patients who have survived a stroke may require rehabilitation utilizing speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Recovery can take a few days to a year or more to regain lost functions.
Types of Medications:
Thrombolytics - Clot busters that loosen or break up blood clots. The debris is cleaned up by phagocytic cells. Antiplatelet - Prevents platelet s from sticking together, thus preventing clot formation. Anticoagulants - Stops clots from forming, particularly those with A-fib who are prone to blood clots due to the rapid contractions of the atria of the heart.
If you have other chronic diseases present such as diabetes or hypertension, keeping these values in the normal range will help to prevent, or lessen the likelihood of a stroke event.
Having an exercise regimen at least three days a week can lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is the number one factor in bringing on a stroke or hemorrhagic strokes.
A healthy diet containing fresh fruits, whole grains and nuts, vegetables and lean meats is another great way to help lessen the risks for stroke.
What signs to look for.
- Tingling sensation in the face or extremities - Paralysis or weakness on one side - Difficulty speaking - Inability to understand speech - Blindness - Dizziness - Pain - Nausea/vomiting - Sudden intense headache
If you or anyone around you is having these symptoms, call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.
Risks for Stroke:
- Age: At age 55 the risk of stroke doubles every ten years after - Race - Gender: Typically, women are less likely to experience a stroke than men - Previous stroke - Fractures resulting in a fat embolism - Family History - Atrial Fibrillation
How to reduce your risk:
Manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise. Quit Smoking. Take medications as prescribed by your physician.
A CT, MRI or Angiogram is what doctor's will use in order to determine what type of stroke someone has experienced as well as its location and the extent of damage it has caused.
Medications such as clot busters or tPA must be given to the patient within hours of experiencing a stroke. For more severe types of stroke such as ischemic and hemorrhagic, surgical intervention is required.
After Care:
Patients who have survived a stroke may require rehabilitation utilizing speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Recovery can take a few days to a year or more to regain lost functions.
Types of Medications:
Thrombolytics - Clot busters that loosen or break up blood clots. The debris is cleaned up by phagocytic cells. Antiplatelet - Prevents platelet s from sticking together, thus preventing clot formation. Anticoagulants - Stops clots from forming, particularly those with A-fib who are prone to blood clots due to the rapid contractions of the atria of the heart.
If you have other chronic diseases present such as diabetes or hypertension, keeping these values in the normal range will help to prevent, or lessen the likelihood of a stroke event.
Having an exercise regimen at least three days a week can lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is the number one factor in bringing on a stroke or hemorrhagic strokes.
A healthy diet containing fresh fruits, whole grains and nuts, vegetables and lean meats is another great way to help lessen the risks for stroke.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who loves to write and share. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where she shares her knowledge about Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms and Stroke Treatment.
