Ischemic stroke

Description of Ischemic stroke

Description
A stroke is a medical emergency. Broadly there are two types of stroke, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is the most common type. It is usually caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. This keeps blood from flowing to the brain. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. 
 
Causes and Risk Factors
 
Ischemic stroke accounts for 87% of the total strokes. Common causes include:
1. Stenosis or narrowing of the artery. This can happen because of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries.
2. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted briefly. Having a TIA can mean you are at risk for having a more serious stroke.
 
Signs and Symptoms
 
Symptoms of an ischemic stroke include sudden:
1. Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
2. Confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
3. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4. Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
5. Severe headache with no known cause
 
Treatment
 
It is important to treat strokes as quickly as possible. Treatment includes:
1. Medication such as blood thinners
2. Surgical treatment may be needed to remove the clots
3. Poststroke rehabilitation can help people overcome disabilities caused by stroke damage.
 
Prevention
 
Eighty percent of the strokes are preventable by bringing in some minor changes in the lifestyle.
1. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits and manage the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and blood pressure.
2. Avoid stress
 
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
 
Content Details
Last updated on:
01 Nov 2021 | 04:56 PM (IST)
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