P a i n & S p i n e C o n s u l t a n t s, I n c. [ Conditions ]

What is Stroke

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When a brain attack occurs, it kills brain cells in the immediate area. These cells usually die within minutes to a few hours after the stroke starts.

When brain cells die, control of abilities which that area of the brain once controlled are lost. This includes functions such as speech, movement, and memory.

The specific abilities lost or affected depend on where in the brain the stroke occurs and on the size of the stroke (i.e., the extent of brain cell death). For example, someone who has a small stroke may experience only minor effects such as weakness of an arm or leg. On the other hand, someone who has a larger stroke may be left paralyzed on one side or lose his/her ability to express and process language.

Some people recover completely from less serious strokes, while other individuals lose their lives to very severe strokes.

The Five Most Common Stroke Symptoms Include:

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness,
loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Other Important but less common stroke symptoms Include:

Sudden nausea, fever and vomiting distinguished from a viral illness by the speed of onset (minutes or hours vs. several days)

Brief loss of consciousness or period of decreased consciousness (fainting, confusion, convulsions or coma)

Ask Your Doctor

National Stroke Association encourages you to Ask Your Doctor if you may be at risk for stroke. Starting a dialog now with your health care provider may help you or your loved ones prevent stroke from affecting your family.

Stroke Prevention Guidelines

1. Know your blood pressure.

Have it checked at least annually. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to keep it under control.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of stroke.

You can check your blood pressure at your doctor's office, at health fairs, at home with an automatic blood pressure machine, or at your local pharmacy or super market.

If the higher number (your systolic blood pressure) is consistently above 135 or if the lower number (your diastolic blood pressure) is consistently over 85, consult your doctor.

If your doctor confirms that you have high blood pressure, s/he may recommend some combination of changes in your diet, regular exercise, and medication.

Medication for blood pressure has been improved. Once you and your doctor find the right medicine for you, it will almost never cause side effects or interfere with your quality of life.

2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heart beat that changes heart function and allows blood to collect in the chambers of your heart.

This blood, which is not moving through your body, tends to clot.

The beating of your heart can move one of these blood clots into your blood stream, and can cause a stroke.

Your doctor can diagnose AF by carefully evaluating your pulse.

AF can be confirmed or ruled out with an ECG which can probably be done in your doctor's office.

If you have AF, your doctor may choose to lower your risk for stroke by prescribing medicine blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin are the most commonly prescribed treatments.

3. If you smoke, stop.

Smoking doubles the risk for stroke.

If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will immediately begin to drop.

Quitting smoking today can significantly reduce your risk of stroke from this factor

4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Studies now show that drinking up to two drinks per day can reduce your risk for stroke by about half. More alcohol than this each day can increase your risk for stroke by as much as three times and also can lead to liver disease, accidents and more. If you drink, we recommend that you limit yourself to no more than two drinks each day, and if you don't drink, don't start!
Remember that alcohol is a drug and it can interact with some medications. It's a good idea to ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medications you are taking could interact with alcohol.

5. Find out if you have high cholesterol.

Know your cholesterol number.

If your cholesterol is high, you may be at increased risk for stroke.

Lowering your cholesterol (if elevated) may reduce your risk for stroke.

High cholesterol can be controlled in many individuals with diet and exercise.

Some individuals with elevated cholesterol may require medication.

6. If you are diabetic...

Follow your doctor's recommendations carefully to control your diabetes.

Often, diabetes may be controlled through careful attention to what you eat.

Work with your doctor and your dietitian to develop a nutrition program that fits your needs and your lifestyle.

Your doctor can prescribe lifestyle changes and medicine that can help control your diabetes.

Having diabetes puts you at an increased risk for stroke; by controlling your diabetes, you may lower your risk for stroke.

7. Exercise.

Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine.

A brisk walk for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your health in many ways, and may reduce your risk for stroke.

Try walking with a friend; this will make it more likely that you'll make it a habit.

If you don't enjoy walking, choose another exercise activity that suits your lifestyle; bicycle, golf, swim, dance, play tennis, or take an aerobics class.

Make time each day to take care of yourself by exercising.

8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.

By cutting down on sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and, most importantly, lower your risk for stroke.

Work towards a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and a moderate amount of protein each day.
Adding fiber, such as whole grain bread and cereal products, raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables and dried beans, to the diet can reduce cholesterol levels by 6 to 19 percent.

9. Circulation problems.

Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems which increase your risk for stroke.

Strokes can be caused by problems with your heart (pump), arteries and veins (tubes), or the blood which flows through them. Together, they are your circulation. Your doctor can check to see if you have problems in the circulation supplying blood to your brain.

Fatty deposits - caused by atherosclerosis or other diseases - can block the arteries which carry blood from your heart to your brain. These arteries, located on each side of your neck, are called carotid and vertebral arteries.

This kind of blockage, if left untreated, can cause stroke.

You can be tested for this problem by your doctor. Your doctor can listen to your arteries just as s/he listens to your heart, or look at ultrasound or MRI images.

If you have blood problems such as sickle cell disease, severe anemia, or other diseases, work with your doctor to manage these problems. Left untreated, these can cause stroke.

Circulation problems can usually be treated with medications. If your doctor prescribes aspirin, warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, or other medicine for circulation problems, take it exactly as prescribed.

Occasionally, surgery is necessary to correct circulation problems such as a blocked artery.

10. Symptoms.

If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

These include:
   Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
   Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
    Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
   Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
   Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

© National Stroke Association, 1999
NSA Publications are reviewed for scientific and medical accuracy by the NSA Publications Committee.

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