The disability that arises due to insufficient oxygen and nutrient content in the brain leads to stroke. It is a medical emergency where the brain’s functioning is interrupted or reduced due to inappropriate working of the brain cells. Immediate action should be taken to prohibit future significant strokes, whether this rope is mild or serious. 90% of strokes occur due to blockage of blood vessels, and other rest, occurs due to internal bleeding. In this blog, we will discuss stroke meaning, its causes, and the treatments available to recover from it.
What are the 5 Different Types of Strokes?
Almost 2 million deaths in India are due to diseases related to the circulatory system. Stroke symptoms in women are somewhat different from those in men. Women have a high probability of feeling weakness, changed mental status and vomiting. At the same time, common stroke symptoms in men are dizziness, headache, trouble walking, and sudden trouble seeing. However, the type of stroke does not depend on the gender. Some common types of stroke are:
Ischemic Stroke
The blockage in blood vessels results in insufficient content of oxygen and nutrients in the brain, causing the cells to die. This is a common type of stroke caused by a clot in the brain’s blood vessels.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
The rupture of weak or damaged blood vessels causes bleeding in the brain, leading to brain damage. The bleeding in the brain increases pressure as there is the bursting of the blood vessels, which may cause brain damage.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
This stroke is also known as the ‘mini-stroke’. It causes a temporary blockage in the blood vessels of the brain. It usually resolves on its own but mild stroke symptoms can be a warning sign for occurance of stroke in the future.
Cryptogenic Stroke
The exact cause of the stroke is unknown, even after several medical checkups. Some common signs of stroke for cryptogenic stroke are associated heart conditions, blood clotting, and other serious health issues.
Brain Stem Stroke
Brain stem stroke can be ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. It affects the brain, causing stroke symptoms like issues related to breathing, heart rate, or may cause unconsciousness. It can cause paralysis on both sides of the body.
Top Stroke Causes: Understanding Risk Factors
The causes of stroke depend on the type of stroke and the body part it is affecting. However, tissue functioning and nutrient intake are also responsible for stroke causes. The signs of stroke in men and women may vary. Strokes can be severe, causing brain damage, and mild that they can even go unnoticed. Some common stroke causes are:
- Smoking and alcohol accelerate the damage of blood vessels, increasing the risk of clots.
- Plague and fat deposited in arteries can cause clots and blockage by narrowing blood vessels.
- Birth control pills and family history of stroke/clotting disorders may increase the risk of development of blood clots that can lead to stroke.
- Lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes are some common causes of different types of stroke.
- Tangled blood vessels can increase the risk of bleeding and liver diseases affecting blood clotting.
- The irregular functioning of the heart can cause heart attacks and blood clots that can even travel to the brain.
- High blood pressure weakens blood vessels, leading to bursts or haemorrhage in the brain, causing stroke.
Stroke Treatments: How to Combat Stroke
Stroke treatment depends on the severity and type of the stroke and timely medical help. Although the treatment of various strokes is different. To restrict the risk of stroke, maintaining a healthy lifestyle while recognizing the early signs of stroke is essential. Here is a list of some common treatments available for different types of stroke:
- Surgery is performed in haemorrhagic stroke to relieve pressure on the brain or stop bleeding. Thrombectomy is done to remove the blood clot that causes stroke.
- Through stenting, the arteries are widened for blood circulation and reduce the risk of stroke.
- Drugs such as antihypertensives and anticoagulants along with vitamins are provided to maintain blood pressure and prevent bleeding.
- Occupational therapy is available to help patients regain their speech, psychological, and other abilities lost due to stroke.
- The required drug for treating the particular stroke should be provided within a few hours of the mild stroke symptoms.
The above treatments of stroke have been provided for the reference (after meticulous research). Patients must undergo a proper evaluation and treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Conclusion
During the initial stage, common stroke symptoms like headache, confusion, and numbness are easily ignored by people. However, it is a serious medical emergency for which prompt recognition is essential to minimise serious effects. Not recognising the effects would lead to damage, disability, or death. It is advisable to follow the recommended treatment according to the severity.
