01-02-2023
Stroke: Symptoms And Treatments

THINK FAST-ACT FAST

According to WHO, every year over 15 million people get a stroke. Of them, 5 million people pass away, and a sizable portion of the remaining population lives with a lifetime handicap brought on by a stroke. The entire family is impacted by this in addition to the person. Continue reading to learn how strokes are brought on and if there is a method to stop them.

Strokes are brought on by blood vessels in the brain rupturing and bleeding or becoming clogged, which prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain. Within seconds of the occurrence, the brain's cells and tissues stop functioning and start to perish due to a lack of oxygen.

Strokes are a prominent cause of death for middle-aged and older persons, and it is estimated that thousands of people die from them each year.

What varieties of strokes are there?

There are two primary types of strokes.

  • Thrombotic Stroke: Ischemic A clot or plaque buildup in the artery blocks a blood vessel, which results in a stroke. Compared to other types of stroke, this one has greater health issues and may have long-term impacts on the sufferer.
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke: When a blood vessel bursts or bleeds into the brain, it results in a hemorrhagic stroke.

What is TIA?

A TIA, also known as a transient ischemic attack, is a disorder in which the body experiences stroke-like symptoms for a brief period of time before going away on its own. Transient ischemic attacks can signal the potential for anischemic stroke in the future.

Who is more likely to experience a stroke?

Potentially, some people are more likely than others to experience a stroke. When deciding who is more at risk, a number of variables are taken into account, including age, gender, and ethnicity. In the majority of instances, elevated or uncontrolled blood pressure is the primary reason.

  • Those who are obese or who are overweight.
  • Those taking hormone supplements.
  • Alcoholic beverage use.
  • People who have abused drugs in the past.
  • People who are older than 55.
  • Elevated blood pressure.
  • Smokers.
  • Those who have diabetes or who are at risk for it.
  • People whose families have a history of stroke.
  • High levels of cholesterol.
  • Lack of exercise.
  • Eating a diet that is out of balance and heavy on salty and fatty foods regularly.
  • People with a history of heart disease.
  • The people who have sleep apnea.

What signs of a stroke are visible?

The signs of a stroke may manifest suddenly or the body may give warnings beforehand. No matter what, it's crucial to be aware of the signs of a stroke so that you can get care if you need it. While it can be challenging to recognise the internal warning signs that a body produces before having a stroke, there are several symptoms listed here that are simple to evaluate.

Be ‘FAST’

F- Face drooping

A-Arm weakness

S- Speech difficulty

T-Time to act

  • Confusion
  • Temporary loss of vision
  • Having trouble raising your arm
  • Headache and vomiting together
  • Dizziness
  • weakness or numbness on one or both sides of the body
  • Shakiness and coordination issues, especially when walking
  • Parts of the face, arms, legs, or all of them are paralysed or immobile, especially on one side of the body

How should someone who has had or is currently having a stroke be treated?

Following are some suggestions for treating a stroke victim:

  • Call for medical assistance right away
  • Give the sufferer nothing to eat or drink
  • Record the moment the symptoms first appeared (called last seen normal)
  • Keep the patient awake and try not to let them fall asleep
  • Take immediate action

Always keep in mind that every second counts and that getting medical help as soon as possible might boost the likelihood of a successful outcome. Clot bursting treatment in first 4.5hours of stroke onset can be very helpful.

You can assist someone who has had a stroke and needs rehabilitation in the methods listed below:

  • Follow the recommended course of action and schedule routine checkups with a neurologist
  • Speech therapy to improve communication skills, including speaking and understanding
  • Physiotherapy to improve the body's mobility
  • Occupational therapy
  • Establishing connections with support groups made up of those who have experienced the same thing or the patients' families
  • Helping the patient mentally because returning to normal can be quite challenging

Guidelines for lowering the likelihood of having a stroke

Prevention is preferable to treatment. Therefore, it's crucial to follow some advice to lower the danger of having a stroke, especially for those who are more susceptible to it.

  • Pursuing an active way of life
  • Eating a diet that is balanced
  • Preserving a healthy weight
  • Eliminating smoking
  • Eliminating alcohol intake
  • Monitor your blood pressure
  • Usually, these actions form the foundation of leading a healthy lifestyle

Your lifestyle decisions have a significant impact on the health of the many organs in your body. So you can greatly benefit your body by exercising caution.

Doctor
Dr. K.M. Hassan
Director
Department of Neurology
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