A brain stroke is a brain attack that occurs due to reduced or interrupted blood supply to a part of brain. It can occur to anyone at any point of time. The decreased blood supply results in deprivation of nutrients and oxygen in brain, resulting in death of brain cells.
Brain stroke is always an emergency condition that needs immediate care and treatment to prevent brain damage. Earlier the treatment, more are the chances of survival and less damage to body parts.
There can be following causes of stroke resulting in corresponding types of stroke:
The symptoms of stroke depend upon the brain area affected. But in most cases, patient complains of the following
Immediate medical attention is required if any person notices following symptoms in himself or any known person (the easy way to remember them is to remember “FAST”):
Stroke is an emergency condition and immediate action is required to minimize brain damage and increase the chances of survival of the patient. But for proper management of the stroke, it is important to know the type of stroke as treatment modalities are different for different types of stroke. So, first of all following are immediately done to find out the cause of stroke and its type:
The treatment of stroke specifically depends upon the type of stroke i.e. blocking of artery or bleeding into the brain: In ischemic stroke, medications are given to restore blood flow to the brain like intravenous injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). These medications dissolve the blood clot and restore the blood supply to the brain. Ischemic strokes are sometimes treated by emergency endovascular procedures that directly work inside the blocked blood vessel:
This involves insertion of a long and thin tube called catheter into the brain through an artery in the groin to directly deliver tPA medication into the affected area. This procedure has extended treatment window that intravenous tPA.
If the clot is big and cannot be dissolved with medication, it is removed by using a catheter. Once the patient is given proper medication and is under controlled conditions, doctor may advise following procedures to prevent the risk for future strokes:
In Hemorrhagic stroke, emergency medications like warfarin or anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel are given to prevent blood clots, along with other medications to lower blood pressure in brain, or prevent vasospasm etc. Other than medications, following surgeries may also be required to repair blood vessel abnormalities:
Stroke can cause widespread and long-lasting problems that require constant care and support. The rehabilitation program after stroke may include many or all the following supportive care therapies:
Many more organs of body are affected by stroke and depending upon the need patient is taught various exercises, activities or techniques to improve the quality of life.
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