July 27th, 2009 
Marcus Clarkson 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 are the signs?
- - A tingling sensation in the face, arms or legs
- – Inability to move or weakness on one side of the body
- - Vision disruptions – Speech problems
- - Inability to understand speech
- - Nausea
- - Pain
- - Dizziness
- - Severe Headache
If you know of someone around you experiencing these signs, call emergency immediately and seek the help of medical professionals.
Risk Factors for Stroke:
- - Year of age: Once a person reaches age 55, their risk for stroke doubles every ten years
- - Family History and Ethnic Background
- - Gender: Women typically experience less risk of stroke than men
- - Prior stroke
- - Atrial Fibrillation
- - Fractures of bones which can result in a fat embolism
Reducing your risks:
- Manage blood pressure
- Manage blood sugar levels
- Decrease cholesterol
- Decrease 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.
Care after stroke:
Every patient is different and so are recovery times after a stroke has occurred. A timeline can range from a few days to over a year to recover full function. In some cases, the use of physical, occupational and speech therapy may be needed.
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 other diseases are present such as diabetes or hypertension, it is very important that you mange them carefully in order to ensure a lower risk of experiencing a stroke.
Regular exercise 3 days per week will help to reduce hypertension. High blood pressure is the major cause of stoke and is a factor in 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.
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