Stroke symptoms are usually characterized by a sudden onset of neurological impairment.
The most common stroke symptoms,
- Speech impairment
- Unilateral weakness in the arms or legs
- Loss of balance
- Loss of vision
- It is characterized by nausea and vomiting.
Common symptoms of stroke include loss of grip on an arm or foot, weakness, inability to speak - in the form of inability to express or understand what is being said - sudden headache, vomiting, balance disorder, double vision, swallowing disorder and facial shifting. When such symptoms are observed, the patient should be rushed to the emergency room. As with heart attacks, patients should be transported quickly to the nearest hospital. The expression "time is brain" should be kept in mind. The earlier treatment is started, the lower the risk of death and disability for the person.
What are the Causes of Stroke?
Neurons in the brain are nourished by oxygen transported through the blood, just like the cells in our body, but direct contact of a nerve cell with blood causes the death of that cell. For this reason, it is necessary to drain the brain
arteries that feed the brain. When these arteries are partially or completely blocked, our brain cannot partially or completely fulfill its functions called 'cognitive functions' such as moving, thinking, speaking, feeling, seeing and perceiving.
What tests can be ordered from a person who has had a stroke?
The first test for stroke is a brain scan to understand what is happening in the brain. In most cases, a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can quickly show whether there is a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. However, in order to take advantage of different therapeutic opportunities, different techniques of MR imaging (diffusion MR, perfusion MR) and vascular imaging methods (CT-angiography, classical vascular angiography-DSA) may need to be used. Although stenosis or occlusion of the vessels leading from the neck to the brain can be demonstrated by CT-angiography or other angiography methods, sometimes vascular ultrasound is also required. Vascular ultrasound can also be used as a screening method for people over the age of 55 who have multiple risk factors for stroke because it is simple, fast and inexpensive.
What are the Causes of Stroke? Who is at risk?
Stroke or paralysis is a loss of function in the relevant brain region caused by blockage or rupture of one of the vessels supplying the brain. From this point of view, it can manifest itself as a blood vessel blockage or bleeding in the brain. Stroke is frequently (85%) manifested by vascular occlusion, while cerebral hemorrhages occur less frequently (15%).
According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people in the world have a stroke annually. This means 1 stroke every 40 seconds or 2200 strokes per day. Of those who have a stroke, 5 million become disabled and 5 million die. It is one of the most common causes of death and disability. In our country, 130 thousand people have a stroke every year. In the next 10 years, almost one person in every family will have had a stroke.
What are the risk factors for stroke?
There are many risk factors for stroke. The main ones are high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, high blood lipids, obesity, heart diseases, excessive blood clotting, some inflammatory and rheumatic diseases, smoking and alcohol use. When these risk factors are analyzed, it is seen that most of them are preventable, that is, they are risk factors that the person can change. For example, smoking is the most important preventable cause of occlusive vascular diseases in our country. Smokers are 6 times more at risk of stroke than non-smokers. Toxic substances in cigarette smoke disrupt the integrity of the internal structure of the vessels and cause blockage of these vessels. This risk decreases significantly with cessation of smoking, and within 10 years is reduced to the level of never smokers. In addition to active smoking, passive smoking is also an important risk factor. Individuals who are in smoking environments are also at risk for stroke. Although the harmful effects of alcohol are generally ignored compared to smoking, recent studies show that individuals who consume alcohol regularly, even in small amounts, are at risk for vascular diseases.
What are the Risk Factors for Stroke? (https://cdn.npistanbul.com/inme-nedir) I moved the content from the page here, I made additional content. The section on the current page can be removed.
- Obesity. Especially people over the age of 50-60 are at risk. It is more common in people over 60 years of age and in men.
- Heart Disease
- Sedentary Life
- Unhealthy Nutrition
- Cigarette Use
- Alcohol Consumption
- Hypertension
- Diabetes (diabetes)
- Drug Use
Hypertension is also an important risk factor for stroke. Obstructive and hemorrhagic strokes are more common in hypertensive patients than in the general population. Like hypertension, diabetes is a disease that must be treated well because it increases the risk of vascular occlusion. Although it is often out of one's hands to have these diseases, being conscious and having controls for the risk of hypertension and diabetes, having treatment when these diseases are present and following the medication/diet recommendations completely reduces the risk of stroke.
Heart diseases are also an important risk factor for stroke. One cause that should be particularly investigated in strokes is rhythm disorders in the heart. These disorders cause clots to be thrown from the heart to organs such as the brain. Individuals with heart rhythm problems called atrial fibrillation and heart failure that prevents the heart from contracting normally, and individuals who have had a heart attack are at risk for stroke and clotting. Individuals who have had a stroke should be examined in detail, especially in terms of heart diseases, and individuals with heart diseases should be evaluated in terms of stroke risk and should use blood thinners in case of increased risk.
Some genetic and autoimmune diseases that affect the immune system can increase blood clotting and cause blockages in the brain. Individuals with such conditions may also need to use blood thinners in addition to disease-specific treatments as a preventive measure. Finally, vascular abnormalities such as aneurysms can weaken the lining of the brain vessels and cause bleeding. Individuals with a family history of this type of disease and individuals with sudden onset headache attacks should have brain imaging tests to detect such vascular disorders.
How Long Does Temporary Paralysis Last?
Although some strokes can leave permanent damage, there may be attacks that recover within 24 hours and we call temporary paralysis. Since these attacks may be a harbinger of a major stroke, urgent evaluation and treatment to prevent a major stroke should be started.
Is There a Risk of Recurrence?
Strokes have a risk of recurrence. A person is more likely to have a stroke than someone who has never had a stroke.
Is it possible to prevent stroke?
It is necessary to stay away from risk factors. However, some of our conditions are inherited through the genetic code without our control. People with such diabetes or hypertension should take their medications on time and completely. Apart from all these, they should also avoid stress and choose a healthier life. Since doing sports will increase the blood circulation and oxygen ratio in your body, you will be 2.5 times less at risk than those who do not do sports.