Stroke

A stroke is a very dangerous condition when the blood supply to some of your brain is interrupted or prevented resulting in the brain being deprived of oxygen. If the brain is deprived of oxygen, within minutes the brain cells begin to die. Prompt treatment if someone is having a stroke is crucial and essential. There are two types of stroke: Ischemic Stroke and Haemorrhagic Stroke.
An ischemic stroke is when blood clots form in the blood vessels in the brain and they block the blood flow to the brain.
A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels in the brain ruptures resulting in blood seeping into the brain tissue and damaging the brain cell.
Some causes of strokes can include uncontrolled high blood pressure, weak spots in the blood vessels, also known as aneurysms, obesity and being overweight plays a role, heavy drinking and substance abuse, high cholesterol and heart diseases and defects as well as a family history of strokes.

SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE

If someone feels like they are having a stroke, they may experience weakness or numbness in the face, arm and leg on just one side of the body, a severe headache, loss of balance as well as loss of vision and trouble trying to speak and even understand as well as walking problems.

Treatments

Treatment for strokes depends on the type of stroke you’ve had. Ischemic strokes are when an artery is blocked and is the most common kind. Hemorrhagic stroke is when there is bleeding in the brain.

Ischemic

Emergency medication — treatment must start within 4.5 hours of having a stroke and clot-busting drugs are given through the vein. You may be given intravenous injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) which dissolves blood clots and restores the blood flow.
Emergency endovascular procedures — intra-arterial thrombolysis is when a catheter is inserted through an artery in your groin to your brain to give tPA directly to the area of the stroke. Doctors might use a device into the blocked blood vessel to trap and remove the clot.
Carotid endarterectomy — doctors will remove plaque in order to stop the likelihood of another stroke. In this procedure the plaque is removed from the arteries along the sides of your neck to your brain.
Angioplasty and stents — doctors will put a balloon into your carotid arteries in your neck from your groin. The balloon is inflated and broadens the narrow artery, then a stent is inserted to support the open artery.

Hemorrhagic

Emergency measures — if you take blood thinners you might be given drugs or transfusions to counteract them. Once the bleeding on your brain stops, you will receive supportive care until your body can absorb enough blood.
Surgical clipping — a tiny clap is placed at the base of the aneurysm in order to stop the blood flow. It’ll keep the aneurysm from bursting and can stop it bleeding again.
Coiling (endovascular embolization) — a catheter is inserted into an artery through your groin into your brain with X-ray imaging. Detachable coils are put into the aneurysm. The aneurysm is filled with the coils and blocks blood flow and clots the blood.
Surgical AVM removal — in order to reduce the risk of rupture and hemorrhagic stroke, a surgeon might take a smaller AVM.
Stereotatic radiosurgery — to repair vascular malformations doctors will use a minimally invasive treatment including multiple light beams of focused radiation.

After-Care

After a stroke, care is ultimately about focusing on your recovery and getting you to back to independent living. Depending on which side of the brain the stoke was on the way you are affected will be different. If the stroke was on the right side, movement and sensation in your left side of your body is affected. If the stroke was on the left side, the right side of your body will be affected. You will most likely receive treatment within a rehabilitation centre.

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