Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is disrupted, which can lead to damage or loss of tissue and brain function. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. 

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An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) or hardening (embolus) blocks an artery in the brain and restricts blood flow. This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 87% of all strokes. 

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A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures and blood leaks into the brain tissue. This is a rare but serious type of stroke, accounting for about 13% of all strokes. 

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There are several factors that can increase the risk of stroke including: 

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• High blood pressure 

• Pre-existing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure or arteriosclerosis 

• smoking 

• diabetes mellitus

• High cholesterol 

• Pre-existing bleeding disorders 

• overweight 

• Lack of exercise 

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It is important that people who are at increased risk of having a stroke make lifestyle changes and see their doctor closely to reduce their risk of stroke. 

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A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate action to reduce the risk of permanent damage or even death. 

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The symptoms of a stroke can vary widely and depend on the severity and location of the stroke. Some possible symptoms include: 

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• Difficulty speaking or understanding language 

• Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body 

• Difficulty seeing, such as double or blurred vision

• Half-sided sensory disturbances

• Headache 

• Dizziness or lack of coordination 

• nausea or vomiting 

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If you or someone close to you is exhibiting possible symptoms of a stroke, call 112 for emergency services immediately. The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance the patient will make a full recovery. It is important that stroke patients are rushed to a hospital to receive adequate treatment. 

 

Stroke treatment then depends on the type and severity of the stroke and needs to be started quickly to reduce the risk of permanent damage or even death. Here are some possible treatments for stroke: 

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1. Systemic thrombolysis: This is an acute drug treatment used to break up a blood clot (thrombus) in an artery in the brain. This treatment can help restore blood flow to the brain and reduce the risk of damage. 

2. Mechanical thrombectomy: This is a neuroradiological procedure in which a blood clot is removed from a blocked artery using instruments or a probe. This treatment is mainly used when a large cerebral artery in the brain is blocked by the blood clot. 

3. Drug treatment: There are several drugs that can be used after a stroke to reduce the risk of more strokes and prevent damage to the brain. These include, for example, blood-thinning medication such as ASA or clopidogrel. 

4. Rehabilitation: After a stroke, it may be necessary to receive physiotherapy, speech therapy, and/or occupational therapy to restore body functions and improve independence.