A cerebrovascular accident, also known as a stroke, is related to an interruption in the circulation of blood to the brain, preventing it from receiving the nutrients it needs, and there is a risk that brain cells will die and cause permanent damage to the person who has had the attack. At FastlyHealwe, explain the symptoms of a stroke.
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Why do strokes occur?
The brain is made up of millions of nerve cells and is the center of all our senses and our emotions and thoughts, among others. These cells need to receive oxygen and glucose constantly, which is transmitted through the blood. When this process is interrupted, cells begin to die, and a stroke can seriously affect other parts of the body.
It is necessary to emphasize that there are two types of cerebrovascular accidents, ischemic and hemorrhagic:
- Ischemic: refers to a blood clot that interrupts blood flow, either because the artery is very narrow or because it has detached from another part of the body and has reached the brain.
- Hemorrhagic is related to the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, causing it to spill. A venous malformation or an aneurysm can cause it.
It’s also possible for an ischemic stroke to turn into a hemorrhagic one. There are also risk factors that can cause a stroke :
- High blood pressure.
- Having diabetes
- Black people are more likely to suffer from it.
- Family background.
- Have high cholesterol levels
- Poor circulation or heart disease.
- Atherosclerosis
- I was suffering from sleep apnea.
- Be over 55 years of age.
Signs of a stroke
The symptoms of a brain vascular accident may vary and range from mild to severe or permanent passenger:
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, whether in the arm, face, or leg. The affected side is where the accident occurred.
- Loss of speech and trouble understanding what others are saying.
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Decreased vision or total blindness.
- Sudden, severe headache.
- Difficulty swallowing.
The transient ischemic attack is another symptom of cerebral vascular accidents. It is like a “small stroke” that alerts us that a stroke may soon be generated and is caused by a temporary blockage of an artery.
To diagnose a stroke, it is necessary to perform imaging studies such as tomography or magnetic resonance since these can visualize the flow of blood to the brain and its activity.
When to go to the doctor?
If you have presented the symptoms described above, you must go to a healthcare center as soon as possible since time will be decisive to avoid further complications. You should also pay attention to the following conditions:
- If one side of the face has no movement.
- If when raising both arms, one of them does not respond.
- If you have difficulty repeating words.
Treatment for a stroke
The effectiveness of the treatment in the case of cerebrovascular accidents will depend on the time that elapses between the attack and its application. They should be done within three to four hours after symptoms have occurred.
The medications administered in these cases are anticoagulants and drugs that allow for controlling some risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. A surgical procedure called a carotid endarterectomy may also be performed, which will remove the plaque, causing the interruption of blood flow. Still, you must wait up to 6 weeks to complete it after you have had a stroke. It is also a procedure used to prevent a stroke if it has been determined that the patient meets certain risk factors.
On the other hand, cardiovascular accidents can cause mental or physical disabilities, so rehabilitation will be part of the treatment to restore lost functions.
Forecast
The prognosis of this disease will depend on the type of stroke that occurs, the functions that have been affected, the brain damage, and how quickly the treatment has been applied.
It is also important to note that taking measures to lower blood pressure and eating a balanced diet to avoid obesity and high cholesterol is essential to prevent strokes.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Symptoms of a stroke, we recommend that you enter our Brain and Nerves category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.