THE DEADLY SERPENT

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT STROKE  

It is common knowledge that stroke is a medical emergency and a leading cause of death, it occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or more commonly, when a blockage develops without treatment, all in the brain which quickly starts dying. The result can be serious disability or death. If your love ones is having stroke symptoms seek emergency medical attention without delay, here are tips to help identify danger signal

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Sign of stroke may include:

• Sudden numbness and weakness of the body, especially on one side
• Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes.
• Sudden severe headache with unknown cause
• Sudden problem with dizziness, walking or balance.
• Sudden difficulty in speaking or understanding others

STROKE: TIME = BRAIN DAMAGE

Every second counts when seeking treatment for a stroke; when deprived of oxygen, brain cells begin dying within minutes. There are clot-bursting drugs that can curb brain damage, but they have to be used within 3 hours of the actual stroke symptoms. Once brain tissue has died, the body part controlled by that area will not work properly. This is why stroke is a tip cause of long term disability.

DAIGNOSIS

When someone with stroke symptom arrives emergency room, the first step to determine what type of stroke is occurring. There are 2 types and they are treated the same way. ACT scan can help doctors  to determine whether the symptom are coming from blocked blood vessel or a bleeding one.

ISCHAEMIC STROKE

The most common type of stroke is known as ischemic stroke, nearly 9 out 10 stroke fall into this category. The culprit is a blood clot that obstruct a blood vessel inside the brain, the clot may develop on the spot or travel through the blood from elsewhere in the body.

HAEMORRHAGIC STROKE

Hemorrhagic stroke are less common but far more likely to be fatal. They occur when weakened vessel in the brain bursts. The result is bleeding inside the brain that can be difficult to stop.

MINI-STROKE (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack often call a mini stroke is more like a close call. Blood flow is temporarily impaired to part of the brain causing symptom similar to an actual stroke. When the blood flows again, the sign that a stroke may happen soon, its critical to see your doctor if you think you’ve had a TIA. There are therapies to reduce  risk of stroke.

COMMON CAUSES OF STROKE

A common cause of stroke is atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries. Plague made of fat cholesterol, calcium and other substances building up in the arteries, leaving less space for blood to flow through. A blood clot may lodge in thus narrow space for blood to flow. A blood clot may lodge in the narrow space and cause an ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke often result from uncontrollable high blood pressures that causes a weakened artery to burst.

RISK FACTORS

Certain chronic conditions increased the risk of stroke, these include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity etc . Taking steps to control these conditions may reduce your risk.

Certain behavior also increases the risk of stroke. They include smoking, getting no little exercise and heavy use of alcohol

EMERGENCY TREATMENT

For an ischemic stroke, emergency treatment focuses much time to restive blood flow. A clot bursting medication is highly effective at dissolving the clots and minimizing long term damage, but be given within 3 hours of the inset of the symptoms

LONG TERM DAMAGE

Whether a stroke causes a long term damage depends on the severity and how quickly treatment stabilizes the brain. The type of damage depends on where in the brain the stroke occurs.

STROKE PREVENTIVE LIFESTYLE.

Quite smoking, exercise and maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol and salt intake. Eat a healthier diet with more vegetables, fish.