Stroke (CVA)

Symptoms:

If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Stroke (also known as Cardio Vascular Accident), seek medical attention immediately.

As different parts of the brain control different parts of the body, symptoms will depend on the part of the brain affected and the extent of damage.

The main symptoms are:

  • Paralysis or numbness or inability to move parts of the face, arm, or leg – particularly on one side of the body

  • Confusion- including trouble with speaking

  • Headache with vomiting

  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

  • Metallic taste in mouth

  • Difficulty in swallowing

  • Trouble in walking (impaired coordination)

  • Dystonia (abnormal muscle tone, muscular spasm, abnormal posture)

  • Alexia (inability to recognise or read written words)

  • Agnosia (inability to interpret sensations and recognise things)

 

Causes:

Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain.

  • A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives oxygen and nutrients supplied to the brain, causing brain cells to die.

Stroke may be caused by the following:

  • Ischaemic stroke: The obstruction to blood flow is usually due to a thrombus or an embolism within the blood vessel

  • Haemorrhagic stroke: Haemorrhagic stroke is a type of stroke that follows bleeding in the brain

  • Haemorrhagic stroke: Haemorrhagic stroke is a type of stroke that follows bleeding in the brain

  • Transient Ischaemic attack: TIA is caused by the same conditions that cause an Ischaemic stroke like thrombosis, embolism, or other conditions like arterial dissection, arteries or hypercoagulable states. TIA does not leave lasting symptoms because the blockage is temporary

 

 The risk factors include:

  • Overweight

  • Sedentary life

  • Binge Drinking

  • Diabetes

  • Smoking

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Family history of stroke

  • Cardiovascular diseases

  • Age – people above age 55 are at higher risk

  • Gender – men are at high risk of stroke than women

 

Prevention

Many stroke prevention strategies are the same as the strategies to prevent heart disease. In general some preventive tips for stroke patients are as follows:

  • Diet and healthy eating: Following a proper diet may avoid the risk of a second stroke.

  • Decreasing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet.

  • Controlling Diabetes

  • Monitoring blood pressure: As high blood pressure exerts continuous pressure on the walls of the arteries it may lead to an arterial block.

  • Avoiding illicit drugs

  • Exercising: Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.

  • Quit smoking and alcohol.

 

Complications

Stroke may lead to severe complications:

  • Paralysis or loss of muscle movement: Patient may become paralysed on one side of the body, or lose control of certain muscles, such as those on one side of the face or one arm

  • Difficulty in talking or swallowing

  • Memory loss or thinking difficulties: It also affects thinking, making judgments, reasoning and understanding concepts

  • Emotional problems: stroke survivors may develop depression

  • Changes in behaviour and self-care ability: Stroke survivor may become more withdrawn and less social or more impulsive. They may need help with grooming and daily chores.

 

Stroke: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments (msn.com)

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