Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries connected to the brain and it’s one of the important causes of death in humans.
When a blood vessel is blocked by a clot/burst, the oxygen supply will gets stopped in the brain, which is called as a stroke.
What are the types of stroke?
A stroke can be caused by a clot which blocks the blood supply, or it is caused by the rupturing of blood vessels. When a temporary clot happens it is called as mini stroke.
Ischemic stroke
It occurs as a result of an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke
It occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke or sun stroke is a life-threatening medical condition. When the human’s body temperature gets raised up to a particular extend (temperature may reach 105 F or greater [40.5 C or greater]), will affects the body’s cooling system and leads to severe damage to the brain.
An U.S. health report states that, nearly 700 people dies each year due to heat related strokes.
What are the effects of stroke?
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can’t reach the region that controls a particular body function that part of the body won’t work as it should.
If the strike occurs toward the back of the brain, for instance, it’s likely that some disability involving vision will result. The effects of a stroke depend primarily on the location of the obstruction and the extent of brain tissue affected.
Effects in Right Brain
The effects of a stroke depend on several factors, including the location of the obstruction and how much brain tissue is affected. However, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in neurological complications on the side of the body it affects. For example, if the stroke occurs in the brain’s right side, the left side of the body (and the right side of the face) will be affected, which could produce any or all of the following:
- Memory loss
- Paralysis on the left side of the body
- Vision problems
- Quick, inquisitive behavioral style
Effects in Left Brain
If the stroke occurs in the left side of the brain, the right side of the body will be affected, producing some or all of the following:
- Paralysis on the right side of the body
- Speech/language problems
- Slow, cautious behavioral style
- Memory loss
Effects in Brain Stem
When stroke occurs in the brain stem, depending on the severity of the injury, it can affect both sides of the body and may leave someone in a ‘locked-in’ state. When a locked-in state occurs, the patient is generally unable to speak or achieve any movement below the neck.
Reasons for stroke
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes, and
- Smoking
Symptoms for stroke
- Weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- The loss of voluntary movement and/or sensation may be complete or partial.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding. Sometimes weakness in the muscles of the face can cause drooling.
- Trouble in walking, dizzy feel, loss of balance or coordination.
Precaution Measures
Keep hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion in body.
Only take the painkiller pills after consulting a doctor.
Maintain your blood pressure at a favorable level. Reducing of blood pressure can cut down on the risk of getting stroke.
Limit your alcohol consumption.
Refraining from cigarettes can prevent you from getting stroke too easily.
Exercise frequently, because it can make way for better blood circulation. Maintain good diet for obesity.
Improve on your eating habits by incorporating more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Read More:
http://www.medicinenet.com/stroke/article.htm