Types of Stroke: Know About Their Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
A Stroke is a medical emergency that affects the brain cells and can potentially have long-lasting consequences. People of any age can have a Stroke, including children in some cases, and having a Stroke can put the patient at higher risk for recurrent ones. While Strokes can cause serious damage, they are also highly preventable. Understanding the different types of Strokes and identifying their causes and symptoms can help you access the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore for appropriate treatment.
Understanding Stroke
Also called a cerebrovascular accident, a Stroke is a type of brain damage caused by an interruption in its blood flow. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing the brain tissues from getting oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, the brain cells begin to die.
Types of Stroke
Ischemic Stroke: An Ischemic Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain through one or more arteries is blocked, often due to a blood clot or a narrowing of the arteries — owing to the accumulation of plaque. About 87% of all strokes are Ischemic Strokes. There are two subtypes of Ischemic Stroke. One is thrombotic, caused due to a blood clot in an artery supplying blood to the brain, and the other is embolic, caused due to a blood clot that travels to the brain from some other part of the body and gets stuck.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Hemorrhagic Stroke occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak. The resultant pressure on the brain cells damages them. There are two subtypes of Hemorrhagic Stroke. The more common type is intracerebral, where an artery in the brain bursts and floods the surrounding tissues with blood, and the other is subarachnoid, where bleeding occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering it.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): This is also known as a ‘mini Stroke’, as the blood flow to the brain is cut off for only a few minutes. However, a TIA is also a warning sign of future Strokes and is a medical emergency on its own. Seeking immediate attention will help your doctor lower your risk of Strokes in the future.
Brain Stem Stroke: This type of Stroke affects the brain stem and affects both sides of the body. The patient is typically left in a ‘locked-in’ state, wherein they are unable to move apart from their eyes.
Cryptogenic Stroke: In certain cases, doctors are unable to determine the cause of a Stroke. These are classified as Cryptogenic Strokes, or Stroke of an unknown cause. A Cryptogenic Stroke may point to certain underlying conditions, such as thrombophilia, atrial fibrillation, or hardening of the arteries.
Signs and symptoms of a Stroke
A Stroke can come on suddenly without the patient being aware of it. Dizziness may occur, along with trouble walking or a severe headache. You may also experience mental confusion or numbness in one or more limbs. Haemorrhagic Strokes may cause a sudden sensitivity to light as well as intense nausea. In general, an easy way to identify whether you or someone else is having a Stroke is with the acronym FAST.
F — Face drooping when the person tries to smile
A — Arm weakness when the patient raises both arms
S — Speech difficulty or slurring when the patient tries to utter a simple sentence
T — Time to call for medical help if any of the above symptoms manifest
Treatment for Stroke
If you are experiencing a stroke, it is critical that you get the required medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. Thanks to the recent advances in medicine, stroke treatments and survival rates have improved greatly over the last decade. With the right combination of medication and specialized Stroke Rehabilitation that includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, stroke patients can soon recover to live healthy lives.
If you have a family history of Strokes or have certain medical conditions like high cholesterol, consulting a doctor is of paramount importance. While a Stroke is a serious condition, remember that you can enjoy a full recovery with the help of the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore and the right lifestyle choices.
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