All you need to know about Strokes

What comes to mind when you hear or read the word ‘stroke’? If you thought of a heart attack, you are wrong. In fact, there is no connection whatsoever between a stroke and any kind of heart ailment — it has everything to do with the brain. 

Strokes happen when the brain’s blood supply has been disrupted. This causes brain cells to die from a lack of oxygen and puts the individual at risk of partial or complete paralysis, or worse. 

This is nothing short of a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is critical to stop brain damage and other related complications. Thanks to the advancements in the field of medical sciences, the adverse effects can be controlled, managed, and mitigated. 

Before we get to the treatment, let us first mention the symptoms, causes, and types of strokes. 

Symptoms If you notice the symptoms of a stroke, it’s important to pay attention to the time they begin. This could be a deciding factor in providing appropriate treatment and preventing irreversible effects on a patient’s health. 

Some common symptoms of a stroke may include: 

● Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg 

● Drooping facial features — including difficulty in smiling 

● Trouble speaking and/or slurring of words 

● Difficulty in hearing 

● Severe and sudden headaches, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or altered consciousness 

● Trouble walking and/or the loss of coordination 

Main causes This determines the route for the right treatment. For a better understanding, let us look at the two main causes: 

● Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and occurs when the blood vessels are narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, blood clots, or other debris in the bloodstream. 

● Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain starts leaking or gets ruptured. There are a number of factors that result in such a stroke. They include: 

○ Uncontrolled high blood pressure 

○ Overtreatment with blood thinners (anticoagulants) 

○ Bulges at weak spots in the blood vessel walls (aneurysms) 

○ Trauma (such as an accident leading to a blow to the head) 

○ Ischemic stroke that causes hemorrhage 

Sometimes, the disruption of blood supply to the brain can be a temporary issue. This is known as a Transient Ischemic Attack or a ministroke. This kind of attack occurs when a clot or other debris reduces or blocks the blood flow to the brain. Such strokes do not result in permanent damage to the brain. 

There are various factors that increase the chances of a person suffering a stroke. The most common ones are: 

● Obesity 

● High blood pressure 

● High cholesterol 

● Diabetes 

● Alcohol consumption 

Apart from the above-mentioned reasons, age is also a key factor as people aged 55 and above are at a higher risk. While men are more likely to suffer strokes, the use of birth control pills may increase the probability in women as well. 

Treatment We have established that a stroke, in any form, is a condition that requires immediate medical attention and hospitalization. We are lucky to live in a time where strokes can be treated with life-saving drugs as well as effective rehabilitation therapies. And only after the initial diagnosis, the doctor may opt for surgery or prescribe rehabilitation. 

As part of rehabilitation, the patient may undergo a combination of the following therapies: 

Stem Cell Therapy — a non-surgical, drugless procedure where stem cells, with the capability of regeneration, are injected into the patient’s body. These cells replace damaged cells, repair, and restore functions that were lost. 

Physiotherapy — focuses on the improvement of the patient’s mobility, posture, and balance. 

Occupational Therapy — aims to make patients independent by improving their capability to complete daily activities such as walking, having a meal, or taking a bath. 

Speech Therapy — helps the patient regain communication skills using various techniques including non-verbal communication. 

Every stroke is different from the other, so it’s hard to predict the extent of recovery. Some people return to being almost fully-functioning, while others may continue to have few deficits. Improvement can continue for years after a stroke, but for many people, it’s fastest in the first six months. So get started with your rehabilitation as soon as possible as early intervention is the best medicine!