Stroke

Prevention and early intervention is the key to reducing death and disability from stroke. Cost effective prevention strategies are needed for the delivery of stroke awareness and prevention. A priority of our health care system should be to educate the community about stroke risk factors and stroke warning signs to decrease potential death and disability from this preventable

     If doctors agree that a stroke has taken place, they may do other tests to determine where the stroke occurred, how large of an area is damaged, and how the blood flow with in the brain has been effected; they do this by taking a CAT scan. They may also take an ECG to determine if there is any heart disease that may have caused the stroke. In addition, they take tests to see if the patient has high blood pressure or they may test the arteries themselves because this is a major cause of stroke in most people. Catheterization, injecting dye into the arteries, and blood tests are the most common tests done. A high glucose level in the blood may reveal diabetes and high blood fats indicate thickened red blood and arteriosclerosis. There may also be a high level of red blood cells, changing the consistency of the blood. These conditions must be treated to prevent further strokes.

Stroke is a result of improper blood circulation in the brain. It is the major reason for disability and death worldwide.

A stroke can be generally be defined in two types of categories. The first and most common type of stroke is called ischemic stroke. This occurs when a blood clot (cerebral thrombosis) blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Blood flow beyond the blood clot is then

It is important that the type of stroke is diagnosed quickly to reduce the damage done to the brain and also to determine the right type of treatment because one treatment for one kind of stroke can be harmful to someone who has had a different kind. A number of different medications may be given at the hospital to help break up the clot and prevent the formation of new clots. For Ischemic stroke the treatment can begin with drugs to break down clots and prevent further ones from forming. Aspirin can be given, along with an injection of a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). TPA works by dissolving clots but it needs to be injected within 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms once they have presented themselves. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment can begin with drugs being given to reduce the pressure in the brain, overall blood pressure, prevent seizures and prevent sudden constrictions of blood vessels.(http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20117296) Because strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally, temporarily or permanently. After a stroke,

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked. The tissue does not get enough of oxygen and nutrients within minutes, the brain cells begin to die. A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. The good news is a stroke can be treatable and is more preventable. More people live longer now than in the past years. Stroke is known as the silent killer. Many people ignore the symptoms and cause more damage to their body. People with stroke have trouble speaking and understanding, paralysis or numbness of the face arm or leg. If you ever encounter anyone with these systems, please call 911 imminently for help.

The diagnostic process for a formally diagnosing Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA/stroke), would consist with a number of test including a physical exam and questions regarding your family history of strokes, any signs or symptoms that may have been present before the patient had the stroke. The physician would also order a few tests like a MRI, CT scan, Cerebral Carotid ultrasound, Cerebral Angiogram and an Echo Cardiogram. The physical exam is important to listen to the hearts sounds, take your blood pressure and also use a ophthalmoscope ( a scope to look in your eyes, ears and nose) to see if there are any cholesterol crystals behind the eyes("Diagnosis - Stroke - Mayo Clinic," 2015). A MRI, uses radio and magnetic waves to show a detailed

Strokes are caused by a block in the blood supply to the brain which causes a decrease in oxygen and delivery of other important supplies which facilitate proper functioning. Fifteen million cases are reported worldwide annually, although not all of these cases are mortalities, the large prevalence of strokes ranks it as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. (Figueroa) Because of the time sensitivity associated with the lack of resources to the brain, strokes are considered a medical emergency and early recognition of symptoms can help decrease the amount of damage caused . Although strokes do not always cause death, strokes most often leave the individual with some physical and cognitive impairment.

Often times, doctors will typically call a stroke a “brain attack” because the events that transpire resemble those that occur during a heart attack (Wang and Aamodt, 2010). Blood supplies a constant source of oxygen to the brain. However, a stroke occurs when that blood supply to any given part of the brain is suddenly ceased. If the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted this leads to the deprivation of oxygen and glucose to that area. The brain cells that are prevented from acquiring these substances, especially oxygen, will be quickly killed off. Strokes can be categorized into two classes: Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes (Lindley, 2008).

A stroke is a condition which is characterised as loss of brain functioning due to an interruption in the blood flow to the brain (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 5). There are two types of strokes, ischaemic and hemorrhagic strokes (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 6). Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). This type of stroke occurs due to an insufficient flow of blood to the brain, which is usually caused by an artery blockage (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). Hemorrhagic strokes are due to hypertension and may be caused by medical problems or blood vessel abnormalities (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). The strokes severity and location of the brain that is affected determines the impact of the stroke in an individual (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013).(Gomes, 2013)

A stroke is a sudden stop in brain function. Approximately 25% of all people who get a stroke will have another in about five years time. The symptoms that occur are mainly affecting the nervous and digestive system, however, they may also have an effect on the other systems. Having a stroke will indeed affect the body’s functions extremely negatively. Affecting many parts of the body, strokes are devastating to the human race, killing many. The types of strokes, symptoms, and predictably will be covered.

Sometimes known as a brain attack, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops. Brain cells immediately start to die due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients they need to function. There are two types of strokes. The most common type, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind of stroke, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Americans ("What You Need to Know About Stroke," 2013). In fact, according to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year ("Stroke Facts," 2015). A stroke can cause great damage in the brain and lead to mild or severe

A stroke happens when there is a problem with the blood supply to the brain such as a clot or spasm blocking cerebral vessels. There are two types of

The Stroke foundation of Australia recommends the F.A.S.T test, which efficiently tests for signs and symptoms which may be caused by a stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessels in the brain leaks or ruptures. Bleeding from the ruptured brain artery can either go into the substance of the brain or into the various spaces surrounding the brain. The two types of hemorrhagic stroke are Intracerebral and Subarachnoid hemorrhagic.