Strokes, or brain attacks, are the third leading cause of death in the Western world: only heart disease and cancer have higher mortality rates. Stroke damage can affect mental, physical, and emotional functioning. In fact, survivors of strokes often lose their independence, due to the disabling effects of the condition. Stroke is the second most common cause of neurologic disability, ranking only behind Alzheimer's... Read more >
Ischemic stroke results from restricted blood flow to portions of the brain. The majority of strokes (approximately 80 percent) are ischemic, according to the American Stroke Association. Blood flow to the brain may be restricted by a blood clot (thrombus) or by progressive narrowing of the arteries. People with high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease are at increased risk of ischemic stroke. An ischemic... Read more >
Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain. Blood escaping from the blood vessel damages surrounding tissue. Bleeding from the blood vessel also results in obstructed blood flow to other parts of the brain, causing damage similar to that caused by an ischemic stroke. Causes: High Blood Pressure, Head Injury, and More High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most common cause of... Read more >
Prompt medical diagnosis of a stroke is essential: the sooner stroke treatment begins, the better the chance of survival. This is especially true since the treatments for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are very different. Determining the type and severity of a stroke is the first step in minimizing damage from the event. The diagnostic work-up begins as soon as stroke symptoms are reported. Symptoms... Read more >
Stroke treatment depends on many factors. How much time has passed since the stroke began? Is the stroke ischemic or hemorrhagic? Does the patient have any stroke risk factors or health conditions that may affect treatment? Depending on the answers to these questions, stroke treatment may include blood-thinner medication to dissolve a blood clot, or brain surgery to repair a ruptured blood vessel. Stroke... Read more >
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Stroke symptoms occur almost immediately, as oxygen deprivation damages the brain and kills brain cells. Over 700,000 Americans experience a stroke every year. For approximately 160,000 of these people, strokes are fatal. Stroke Risk FactorsImproved treatment and control of stroke risk factors such as hypertension and high... Read more >
Understanding stroke requires a knowledge of basic brain anatomy. Symptoms vary depending on which parts of the brain are affected by strokes. While a stroke in the frontal lobe may affect behavior or emotion, a stroke in the brain stem may affect breathing. The Three Main Parts of the Brain Brain anatomy recognizes three main parts of the brain: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. Each area is... Read more >
Oxygen is essential for brain function: 25 percent of the body's oxygen is used by the brain, yet the brain represents only one fortieth of the body's weight. Arteries transport oxygen rich blood to the brain. A lack of blood and oxygen to any part of the brain can result in a stroke. The supply of freshly oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain is delivered via the carotid and basilar arteries. Carotid... Read more >
The most difficult aspect of having a stroke is living with the disability caused by the condition. Stroke is associated with high morbidity rates, meaning that many patients experience both physical and mental disability following the event. In fact, stroke morbidity is the leading cause of decreased independence and lowered quality of life among adults. Stroke rehabilitation, however, offers a chance to restore... Read more >
Having a stroke causes emotional difficulties for both the patient and family members. Anger and anxiety are common responses to the permanent limitations and loss of independence caused by a stroke. Further, the slow and sometimes tedious pace of rehabilitation can cause lack of motivation that, if left unchecked, can develop into depression. Emotional Lability: Uncontrolled Crying and Laughing Strokes can lead... Read more >
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