The most common cause for a stroke is due to the formation of a blood clot in the brain artery. It can also cause serious damage to the brain. While immediate treatment for the stroke includes a medicine that will bust the clot and dissolve it, you may also be given medicine to further reduce the risk of strokes in the future. Rehabilitation is an important part of the treatment process of strokes as well.
Disability after a stroke generally depends on several factors such as which area of the brain was affected, when treatment was administered, and the overall damage suffered by the brain.
If you notice the symptoms of a stroke, you should call an ambulance immediately. Here is all the information that you need to know about strokes.
Signs of a Stroke – F.A.S.T
Not sure if you or someone else is showing signs of a stroke? Think F.A.S.T.!
Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s
Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift?
Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time to Get Help – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to an emergency department immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
What Causes a Stroke?
A stroke is caused when the supply of blood to a particular area of the brain is cut off. Since the brain cells need a regular oxygen supply from the blood, when the blood supply is eliminated the cells in the affected part of the brain will die out or get damaged. This is why a stroke is also known as a brain The supply of blood to the brain is related to four main arteries, which are the right and left carotid arteries and vertebrobasilar arteries. These arteries also branch out into smaller arteries from where they are supplied to all parts of the brain. The area of the brain that is affected depends upon the blood vessels that were damaged.
There are two types of strokes that can occur, ischaemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischaemic Stroke – is caused by blood clots
Ischaemic refers to reduced oxygen and blood supply to body parts, and it is caused by the formation of blood clots in the artery. The chances of a stroke occurring due to blood clots are 70%.
- The blood-clot will begin to form over atheroma, which is also referred to as the hardening or furring of the arteries. The atheroma patches are small and may begin to form inside the arteries of older persons, which causes blood to become thick and increases the chances of clots in the arteries.
- In other cases, blood clots may form in other areas of the body, after which they will travel towards the brain through the blood stream. This is referred to as an embolus.
- There are several other rare causes of ischaemic strokes.
Hemorrhagic Stroke – is caused by bleeding
The hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by bleeding due to a weakened or damaged artery that has burst.
There are two main types of hemorrhagic strokes, the intracerebral hemorrhage and the subarachnoid
- When the blood vessel bursts inside the brain, it is known as intracerebral hemorrhage, where the blood will pill onto nearby brain tissues. It can cause the brain cells to lose their supply of oxygen and this can lead to brain cells getting damaged or dying.
- When the blood vessel bursts in a subarachnoid space, it is known as subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is generally the space between the skull and the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid fills up the space, leading to the damage or death of brain cells.