Brain Stroke

Brain Stroke or Stroke as commonly known, occurs suddenly and can affect all parts of the brain.

It is commonly a life-threatening manifestation of an underlying cardiovascular disease, especially heart disease.

Stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted causing cerebral hypoxia.

Cerebral hypoxia refers to inadequate delivery of oxygen to the brain.

The common causes of stroke are thrombus, also called a blood clot or embolus, a piece of ruptured blood clot.

Read more about causes of a stroke.

Previously, stroke was called cerebrovascular accident, which caused many deaths and disabilities among adults.

This name is no longer commonly used as some suggests that stroke is not an accident, but a complication that arise from a pre-existing heart condition.

The nature and extent of cerebral impairment depends on the size and location of the affected blood vessels in the brain.

Therefore, symptoms of a stroke largely depend on the part of the brain that is damaged and the blood vessel involved.

Stroke symptoms can last for a day and then resolves.

If this happens, it means that you had a transient ischemic attack or TIA, sometimes called a mini stroke.

If your brain has been severely damaged, the symptoms will last for over a day. This is referred to as a complete or major stroke.

The damage can be permanent and may result in disability.

It is important that you know the symptoms and signs of a stroke and see a doctor immediately.

Treatment for stroke is effective only when started immediately, and when the cause has been clearly identified and ruled out using available blood test and stroke imaging techniques.

Know your risk factors for stroke and try to modify them with the goal of preventing or reducing the incidence of stroke.

The major risk factors include:

• Hypertension;

• Atheromatous plaque from fatty deposits; and

• Diabetes mellitus

Want To Learn More About Brain Stroke? You May Like To Read Some Related Information:

• Causes of brain stroke

• How to prevent stroke

• Effects of stroke

• Types of stroke

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