Recognizing The Causes And Signs Of Stroke

Stroke is an attack that occur when normal flow of blood to the brain is blocked, or when the vessels (arteries) carrying blood to the brain burst. The brain requires oxygen and nutrient to live. If the brain stops receiving oxygen and nutrient, the brain cells (neurons) begin to die gradually. If nothing is done about it as soon as possible then it could lead to a permanent brain damage, disability or death. The area affected on the brain and the extent of damage will determine the impact on the victim's body function. For example, if the area of the brain responsible for movement is greatly damaged, the victim may lose the ability to move. The victim may not be able to move his arms or legs. This is one among other reasons stroke is referred to as a medical emergency.

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Nearly 800,000 people in United States experience a stroke each year. That’s one stroke every 40 seconds. For every person that dies from stroke, more than 5 times that many will survive, and for them the physical damage it causes can be enormous.
Source: stroke.org

There are three main types of stroke. They are;

• Ischemic stroke

• Hemorrhagic stroke

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. It is caused by interuption of blood flow to the brain. Blood clots is responsible, they block flow of blood to the brain cells. Fatty deposits and cholesterol are what can make the blood vessels to clot.

Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding from rupture of blood vessels to the brain. The blood vessel burst and bleeds into the brain.

Transient ischemic stroke is also known as mini stroke. This type of stroke happen for only a short time. It does not last for a longtime. Clots prevent blood flow to the brain for a little time. Once flow of blood resume symptoms of stroke disappears.

One may begin to wonder what actually causes the leakage or bursting of the blood vessels. Several things can be responsible. Brain injury, weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall known as aneurysms can allow the arteries to burst thereby leading to a stroke. People with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol alongside smoking, taking drugs, poor diet and nutrition, and living a sedentary lifestyle can also cause a stroke. Obesity and family history can increase your risk of stroke.

Signs Of Stroke

There is simple and easy way to recognize the signs of stroke. The acronym F.A.S.T is used to know the signs of a stroke.

F - Face dropping

A - Arm weakness

S - Speech difficulty

T - Time to call 911 or any other medical emergency numbers.

To be sure of these signs, ask the person to smile, to raise both arms and to speak. If one side of the person's face droop, one arm drift downward and the speech slurr, then it's a confirmation of a stroke. Starting treatment as early as enough can reduce the chances of disability and death.

There are other signs of stroke worth knowing. These includes:

• Loss of balance or coordination

• Dizziness

• Blurr vision either in one or both eyes

• Headache

• Difficulty in swallowing

Treatment for stroke depends on the type of stroke affecting the victim which is best diagnosed by a neurologist.  Now that you have come to know the signs of a stroke, You should always act F.A.S.T when you notice anyone having these signs.

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