WHAT IS A STROKE?
The human body has a complex vascular system. Oxygen delivery to major organs of the body is a critical part of this intricate system. If there is a compromise in the delivery of oxygen, it results in death of brain cells which can lead to brain damage.
The body’s vascular system includes blood vessels such as arteries, veins and capillaries which all play an important role in the transportation of blood throughout the body. Since blood carries oxygen to the body’s organs, this transportation highway is critical to the body’s survival.
Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, including the brain. Capillaries are small blood vessels which actually perfuse or act to exchange the oxygen from the blood to the tissues within the body’s organs. Veins return the blood back to the heart so that it can be re-oxygenated by the lungs thus starting the process again.
There are two main types of strokes or cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). These two types of strokes are Ischemic and Hemorrhagic.
Ischemic: Because arteries are the primary blood vessels responsible for oxygen delivery, a blockage in the artery can create devastating damage to tissues and organs. A blockage such as this would be similar to a dam in a river. If the water in the river was carrying vital nutrients, the area below the dam would not get those nutrients. When a stroke such as this occurs, it is called an Ischemic Stroke. This type of stroke accounts for the majority of strokes. The blockage can be caused from a blood clot in which the body’s normal protective clotting mechanism is overactive. This normal clotting mechanism is beneficial when healing a cut or would. However, in some cases the body unnecessarily believes it needs to clot thus leading to a dangerous clot in an artery. Atherosclerosis can also lead to increased clotting. The body perceives the fatty deposits as a wound thus allowing a clot to form at the site. Or the fatty plaque deposits simply create decreased blood flow in the area, allowing the blood to pool, thus leading to a clot.
Hemorrhagic: If there is a break or rupture in a portion of the artery, transportation of the oxygen maybe also be disrupted. Think of this as a leaky or busted pipe. Take for example a sprinkler system. The pipes in the system work to deliver the water to the specified areas of the landscape. If the pipes burst, the flow will be compromised and the water will not be adequately delivered. When this type of stroke occurs, it is referred to as a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke can be caused by high blood pressure which overtime, ultimately weakens the wall of the arteries. Rupture can also be caused by an aneurysm which is a thin spot in the arterial wall. An Aneurysm can be created over time by high blood pressure or can also be present at birth and simply weaken over time until it ruptures. Although hemorrhagic strokes account for a small percentage of overall strokes it has an increased fatality rate over ischemic strokes.
There can be variances on the severity of effects of the stroke based on the part of the brain that is affected as well as the size of the blockage or hemorrhage causing the stroke. Symptoms can be minor and almost undetectable. They can also be moderate causing weakness of an extremity (arm or leg) or they can be more severe in which the person can become paralyzed on one side of the body. Additionally, strokes frequently affect a person’s ability to speak. They can either slur their words or lose their ability to speak all together. Of course the worst case scenario is death from stroke.
TIA ("Mini Stroke")
A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), which can also be referred to as a “mini” stroke, is characterized by stroke symptoms that last less than 24hours. It often is a precursor to a full stroke and should be taken seriously. Although TIAs do not cause permanent brain damage you should seek medical attention immediately and talk to your doctor about medications or lifestyle changes to prevent a stroke.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE
The severity of symptoms depends on the size of the stroke as well as the part of the brain that was affected and/ or damaged. A person may be quickly debilitated with sudden onset of symptoms or symptoms may be so mild that the person is actually unaware that a stroke has occured.Symptoms can initially occur off and on then become more severe and not go away or they can come on suddenly. Not all symptoms or warnign signs occur with every stroke. Don't ignore the signs and if one or more of the symptoms is present, seek medical attention immediately. Every second counts. Recognizing the symptoms and getting medical atention and treatment immediatley can sigificantly reduce the severity of the long-term affects and disability caused by a stroke. The following are signs and symptoms of a STROKE.
A simple acronym for remembering the signs of STROKE is
F.A.S.T
F= Face Have the person smile and note if the face or mouth drrops on one side
A= Arms Have the person raise both arms and note if the person is unable to do this of if the arm drifts downward
S= Speech Have the person talk or repeat a sentence and note if the speech is slurred or slow.
T= Time Initial response time is critical to the persons survivial and recovery. If any of these symptoms are noted, call 911 immediately.
Tests to confirm or rule out a STROKE
Once you seek medical attention, your doctor may run one or more tests to confirm that a stroke is the reason for your symptoms. The following tests can help the doctor determine whether or not you have had a stroke as well as the cause of the stroke.
The human body has a complex vascular system. Oxygen delivery to major organs of the body is a critical part of this intricate system. If there is a compromise in the delivery of oxygen, it results in death of brain cells which can lead to brain damage.
The body’s vascular system includes blood vessels such as arteries, veins and capillaries which all play an important role in the transportation of blood throughout the body. Since blood carries oxygen to the body’s organs, this transportation highway is critical to the body’s survival.
Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, including the brain. Capillaries are small blood vessels which actually perfuse or act to exchange the oxygen from the blood to the tissues within the body’s organs. Veins return the blood back to the heart so that it can be re-oxygenated by the lungs thus starting the process again.
There are two main types of strokes or cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). These two types of strokes are Ischemic and Hemorrhagic.
Ischemic: Because arteries are the primary blood vessels responsible for oxygen delivery, a blockage in the artery can create devastating damage to tissues and organs. A blockage such as this would be similar to a dam in a river. If the water in the river was carrying vital nutrients, the area below the dam would not get those nutrients. When a stroke such as this occurs, it is called an Ischemic Stroke. This type of stroke accounts for the majority of strokes. The blockage can be caused from a blood clot in which the body’s normal protective clotting mechanism is overactive. This normal clotting mechanism is beneficial when healing a cut or would. However, in some cases the body unnecessarily believes it needs to clot thus leading to a dangerous clot in an artery. Atherosclerosis can also lead to increased clotting. The body perceives the fatty deposits as a wound thus allowing a clot to form at the site. Or the fatty plaque deposits simply create decreased blood flow in the area, allowing the blood to pool, thus leading to a clot.
Hemorrhagic: If there is a break or rupture in a portion of the artery, transportation of the oxygen maybe also be disrupted. Think of this as a leaky or busted pipe. Take for example a sprinkler system. The pipes in the system work to deliver the water to the specified areas of the landscape. If the pipes burst, the flow will be compromised and the water will not be adequately delivered. When this type of stroke occurs, it is referred to as a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke can be caused by high blood pressure which overtime, ultimately weakens the wall of the arteries. Rupture can also be caused by an aneurysm which is a thin spot in the arterial wall. An Aneurysm can be created over time by high blood pressure or can also be present at birth and simply weaken over time until it ruptures. Although hemorrhagic strokes account for a small percentage of overall strokes it has an increased fatality rate over ischemic strokes.
There can be variances on the severity of effects of the stroke based on the part of the brain that is affected as well as the size of the blockage or hemorrhage causing the stroke. Symptoms can be minor and almost undetectable. They can also be moderate causing weakness of an extremity (arm or leg) or they can be more severe in which the person can become paralyzed on one side of the body. Additionally, strokes frequently affect a person’s ability to speak. They can either slur their words or lose their ability to speak all together. Of course the worst case scenario is death from stroke.
TIA ("Mini Stroke")
A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), which can also be referred to as a “mini” stroke, is characterized by stroke symptoms that last less than 24hours. It often is a precursor to a full stroke and should be taken seriously. Although TIAs do not cause permanent brain damage you should seek medical attention immediately and talk to your doctor about medications or lifestyle changes to prevent a stroke.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE
The severity of symptoms depends on the size of the stroke as well as the part of the brain that was affected and/ or damaged. A person may be quickly debilitated with sudden onset of symptoms or symptoms may be so mild that the person is actually unaware that a stroke has occured.Symptoms can initially occur off and on then become more severe and not go away or they can come on suddenly. Not all symptoms or warnign signs occur with every stroke. Don't ignore the signs and if one or more of the symptoms is present, seek medical attention immediately. Every second counts. Recognizing the symptoms and getting medical atention and treatment immediatley can sigificantly reduce the severity of the long-term affects and disability caused by a stroke. The following are signs and symptoms of a STROKE.
- Headache (may be sudden onset and is worse when lying flat)
- Numbness or weaknes on one side of the body
- Facial droop and numbeness on one side of the body
- Vision changes or disturbances onone side or both
- Difficulty or inability to walk
- Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
- Confusion or change in alertness
A simple acronym for remembering the signs of STROKE is
F.A.S.T
F= Face Have the person smile and note if the face or mouth drrops on one side
A= Arms Have the person raise both arms and note if the person is unable to do this of if the arm drifts downward
S= Speech Have the person talk or repeat a sentence and note if the speech is slurred or slow.
T= Time Initial response time is critical to the persons survivial and recovery. If any of these symptoms are noted, call 911 immediately.
Tests to confirm or rule out a STROKE
Once you seek medical attention, your doctor may run one or more tests to confirm that a stroke is the reason for your symptoms. The following tests can help the doctor determine whether or not you have had a stroke as well as the cause of the stroke.
- CT Scan
- MRI or MRA of th brian
- Echocardiogram
- Ulrasound of th carotid arteries
- Angiogram of the head
- Electrocardiogram
- Blood tests or spinal tap