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Some of the top causes of stroke include diseases that weaken blood vessels. Other causes include high blood pressure. People who suffer from migraine headaches are also at higher risk for strokes. Some people even have a migraine headache that mimics stroke symptoms. Drug misuse is also a known risk factor. However, a stroke is not contagious.
What is stroke?
Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a part of the brain loses blood flow. Without this blood supply, brain tissue dies within minutes. Fortunately, strokes are usually curable if caught early. Prompt treatment can limit damage to the brain and minimize other complications. Today, fewer Americans die from strokes than in the past. New treatments and better awareness of the symptoms make stroke a much less common cause of disability.
The most important thing to do when you suspect you are having a stroke is to call 9-1-1 immediately. Don’t try to drive yourself to the hospital; ambulances can start life-saving treatment as soon as they arrive. Depending on the type of stroke you’re having, the doctor may prescribe a thrombolytic drug to break up the blood clots.
There are three common types of stroke. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage of blood vessels in the brain. These blood vessels may be blocked by fatty deposits, plaque, or aneurysms. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels deep within the brain rupture or leak, damaging brain tissue. Other causes of stroke include high blood pressure, aging blood vessels, and autoimmune diseases.
Stroke and Prevention
Stroke is a disorder that results in the loss of brain function. The condition can be caused by one of three processes. A transient ischemic event (TIA) occurs when a major blood vessel in the heart is temporarily obstructed and a small piece of blood is unable to pass through it. Another type of stroke, known as an ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot or embolus.
Identifying the mechanism responsible for a future stroke is essential for the prescription of effective preventative therapies. However, etiologies of stroke have historically been difficult to categorise because of overlap between risk factors. In addition, there is a paucity of good evidence to guide therapy.
One method for secondary prevention of stroke is chronic transfusion therapy. This method is reproducible, noninvasive, and highly predictive. A study by Adams et al. in 1998 found that the use of TCD could identify high-risk children who were at high risk of SCD. These high-risk children were given CTT to keep hemoglobin S percentages below 30%.
In sickle cell disease, stroke is a leading cause of death and morbidity. However, advances in stroke care have led to a significant decrease in stroke in children. While this decrease is a major achievement, stroke prevention remains a challenge. Current research and recommendations are discussed, as well as ongoing studies for stroke prevention and treatment.
Top Causes of Stroke: Cerebral infarction and Brain ischemia
If you’ve experienced an ischemic stroke, it’s when your blood is not getting enough oxygen to your brain. The reason for this can be several factors, including severe anemia, suffocation, and carbon monoxide poisoning. This type of stroke is more severe, and is most often seen in people with a history of stroke. It’s also more common in men than women. The risk of an ischemic stroke also increases with age.
When a blood clot forms in an artery, it can block the flow of blood to the brain. The clot may form on an atheroma in the artery, or it could form in the heart of a person with a heart condition. In some people, a part of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream, forming an embolus and blocking the cerebral arteries. This does not always result in a stroke, but it can lead to a transient ischemic attack.
People with a family history of stroke have a higher risk of having a second stroke. In addition, people who live in cold or hot climates have a greater chance of suffering a stroke. People who have high blood pressure and are African Americans are more likely to suffer a stroke than whites. Low-income individuals are also at increased risk of stroke.
Ischemic stroke
The most common type of stroke, ischemic stroke, occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain becomes blocked. This occlusion results from plaque buildup in the arteries, which can cause a blood clot to form. This clot can then block blood flow to the brain and impair its function. There are two different types of clots: those that form inside a blood vessel and those that break free from it. One type of clot is a thrombus, which forms at a fatty plaque inside the blood vessel, while the other is known as a cerebral embolism, which is caused by a blood clot that breaks loose from a blood vessel. A person can develop either type of clot, or a combination of both.
The treatment for ischemic stroke can include medications to dissolve the clot or a surgical procedure to open the blocked artery. Some treatments will also address the pressure and swelling in the brain. Some stroke victims may also require a ventilator to breathe. There are specialized centers that focus on removing clots in the arteries and other treatments that can make the patient more comfortable.
Hemorrhagic stroke
While hemorrhagic stroke is one of the most common types of stroke, there are many other types, such as non-hemorrhagic. People suffering from this type of stroke often experience a number of symptoms, including dizziness, drooping arms or face, difficulty swallowing and speech, and a general feeling of weakness. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you suspect someone you know is suffering from stroke, call 911 immediately. While you wait for help, you should watch the patient carefully.
Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. This type of stroke results when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and begins to bleed into the surrounding brain tissue. The blood can cause serious damage to brain tissue and result in seizures or other signs of a stroke. If you suspect you are suffering from hemorrhagic stroke, you should visit your doctor immediately. Your physician may order imaging tests to help diagnose your condition. In most cases, treatment will focus on stopping the bleeding and reducing pressure on the brain. If you have severe damage, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged brain tissue and prevent future strokes.
Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke depends on the location, size, and cause of the hemorrhage. Treatment may involve neurosurgical procedures or interventional radiology. Medicines can help reduce swelling, seizures, and pain. The goal of treatment is to decrease the chance of another stroke, reduce disability, and facilitate rehabilitation.
Causes of stroke
Strokes are caused by blockages of arteries in the brain. The clotted artery denies blood and oxygen to the part of the brain it supplies, causing the cells to die. This can occur because of a cholesterol plaque that forms in the small blood vessels in the brain. The plaque starts a clotting process.
Young adults and children have always been at risk for strokes, but the disease is becoming more prevalent among younger people. In fact, according to a study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, the proportion of strokes among people under the age of 55 increased from 12.9 percent in 1994 to 18.6 percent in 2005. Young adults are also more likely to develop conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes (Read: Diabetes Freedom Review – Excluded of Type 2 Diabetes!!!), and heart disease, which increase the risk of stroke.
Luckily, many risk factors for stroke can be controlled. By making healthy lifestyle changes, you can lower your risk for stroke and prevent it in the first place. For example, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, blocking blood flow to the brain and heart. Therefore, it’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly and talk to your doctor about the best medication for your specific situation.
Top Causes of Stroke – The bottom line
The best way to prevent stroke is to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding tobacco. It also includes managing any conditions that may put you at risk. The American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good website offers tips, tools, and inspiration to help you develop good habits. The content of Healthy for Good is reviewed by experts in science and medicine.
People should talk to their healthcare providers about ways to reduce their stroke risk. Lifestyle changes and medications can help people manage their disease and decrease their risk. Patients should monitor their blood pressure and blood sugar regularly, and should quit smoking. They should also make sure they take prescribed medications. By talking with their healthcare providers, people can develop an action plan and set goals.
Although a stroke can strike at any age, it is never too late to prevent one. By making lifestyle changes and taking medicine to control risk factors, people can lower their stroke risk and avoid disability. A stroke is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States.