What is Stroke ? | Dr. Maunil Bhuta
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
1. What happens in the brain during a stroke?
The brain controls our movements, stores our memories, and is the source of our thoughts, emotions, and language. The brain also controls many functions of the body, like breathing and digestion.
To work properly, your brain needs oxygen. Your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your brain. If something happens to block the flow of blood, brain cells start to die within minutes, because they can’t get oxygen. This causes a stroke.
What are the types of stroke?
There are two types of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke.
- Hemorrhagic stroke.
*A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” *It is different from the major types of stroke, because blood flow to the brain is blocked for only a short time—usually no more than 5 minutes.
Ischemic stroke
Most strokes are ischemic strokes.2 An ischemic stroke occurs when blood clots or other particles block the blood vessels to the brain.
Fatty deposits called plaque can also cause blockages by building up in the blood vessels.
Hemorrhagic stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures (breaks open). The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them.
High blood pressure and aneurysms—balloon-like bulges in an artery that can stretch and burst—are examples of conditions that can cause a hemorrhagic stroke.
3. Stroke symptoms
The loss of blood flow to the brain damages tissues within the brain. Symptoms of a stroke show up in the body parts controlled by the damaged areas of the brain.
The sooner a person having a stroke gets care, the better their outcome is likely to be. For this reason, it’s helpful to know the signs of a stroke so you can act quickly. Stroke symptoms can include:
- Paralysis
- Numbness or weakness in the arm, face, and leg, especially on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking or understanding others
- Slurred speech
- Confusion, disorientation, or lack of responsiveness
- Sudden behavioral changes, especially increased agitation
- Vision problems, such as trouble seeing in one or both eyes with vision blackened or blurred, or double vision
- Trouble walking
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Dizziness
- Severe, sudden headache with an unknown cause
- Seizures
- Nausea or vomiting
Prompt treatment is key to preventing the following outcomes:
- Brain damage
- Long-term disability
- Death
It’s better to be overly cautious when dealing with a stroke, so don’t be afraid to get emergency medical help if you think you recognize the signs of a stroke.
4. The complications after stroke?
Trusted Source can vary. They may occur because of either a direct injury to the brain during the stroke, or because abilities have been permanently affected.
Some of these complications include:
- seizures
- loss of bladder and bowel control
- cognitive impairment, including dementia
- reduced mobility, range of motion, or ability to control certain muscle movements
- depression
- mood or emotional changes
- shoulder pain
- bed sores
- sensory or sensation changes
These complications can be managed by methods such as:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Counseling
- Certain complications may even be reserved.
5. How to prevent a stroke ?
Lifestyle changes can’t prevent all strokes. But many of these changes can make a radical difference when it comes to lowering your risk of stroke.
These changes include the following:
- Quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting now will lower your risk of stroke. You can reach out to Dr.Maunil Bhuta to create a quit plan.
- Limit alcohol use. Heavy alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of stroke. If reducing your intake is difficult, reach out to your doctor for help.
- Keep a moderate weight. Overweight and obesity increases the risk of stroke. To help manage your weight, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active more often than not. Both steps can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Get regular checkups. Talk with your doctor about how often to get a checkup for blood pressure, cholesterol, and any conditions you may have. They can also support you in making these lifestyle changes and offer guidance.
Taking all these measures will help put you in better shape to prevent stroke.
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