Stroke Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Prevention Tips
Overview
A Stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
It may also occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the brain’s tissues.
Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells and tissue become damaged and die within minutes. This can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke; the less damage is likely to happen.
What are the types of strokes?
There are three primary types of strokes:
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) involves a blood clot that typically reverses on its own. It is also called a ministroke.
- Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and involves a blockage caused by a clot or plaque in the artery. The symptoms and complications of ischemic stroke can last longer than those of a TIA or become permanent.
- Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a burst or leaking blood vessel that seeps into the brain.
What happens during a stroke?
When brain cells die, brain function is lost. You may not be able to do things that are controlled by that part of the brain. For example, a stroke may affect your ability to move, speak, eat, think and remember, control your bowel and bladder, control your emotions, or control other vital body functions.
The most common signs and symptoms of stroke are:
- The face may drop on one side, you may not be able to smile, or your mouth or eye may drop.
- You may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there.
- Slurred speech
Other signs and symptoms may include:
- Complete paralysis of one side of the body
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- A sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
- Loss of consciousness
Who is at risk for a stroke?
A stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
But some people have a greater chance of having a stroke. Some risk factors for stroke can be changed or managed, while others can’t.
Risk factors for stroke that can be changed, treated, or medically managed:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
- History of TIAs (transient ischemic attacks)
- High blood cholesterol and lipids
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol use
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Cardiac structural abnormalities
- Family history of stroke
- Increasing Age
How is a stroke diagnosed?
The medical emergency team will try to determine what type of stroke you’re having at the hospital. Doctors also need to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a brain tumor or a drug reaction. You’ll have a CT scan or other imaging test soon after arrival.
Some of the tests include:
- You may have several blood tests, including tests to check how fast your blood clots, whether your blood sugar is too high or low, and whether you have an infection.
- A Computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed image of your brain. It can show bleeding in the brain, an ischemic stroke, a tumor, or other conditions.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful radio waves and magnets to create a detailed view of your brain. It can detect brain tissue damaged by an ischemic stroke and brain hemorrhage.
- Carotid ultrasound is done to get detailed images of the inside of the carotid arteries in your neck. This test shows the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) and blood flow in your carotid arteries.
- An Echocardiogram creates detailed images of your heart and helps find the source of clots in your heart. The clots may have traveled from your heart to your brain and caused a stroke.
What can I do to prevent a stroke?
Adopting a healthy lifestyle and knowing your stroke risk factors are the best steps you can take to prevent a stroke.
Many stroke prevention strategies are the same as strategies to prevent heart disease. In general, healthy lifestyle recommendations include:
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Lowering the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in the diet
- Managing diabetes
- Quitting the use of tobacco
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Exercising regularly
- Treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Saying no to drugs
