Stroke Information

A stroke occurs when an artery carrying blood to the brain

gets clogged or bursts disrupting blood supply. The brain,

deprived of oxygen, begins to die. The majority of strokes

result from clogging of arteries; artery bursts account 

for less than 20% of strokes.

However, irrespective of the cause strokes are a serious

problem in the US. A stroke is reported every 45 seconds,

and a death by stroke every three minutes. Interestingly, 

women are more susceptible to strokes than men. Statistics 

show that of every five stroke victims, two are men and 

three women.

A stroke that damages the right brain can cause paralysis 

in the left side of the body. It can also affect vision or 

lead to memory loss. When the stroke damages the left part 

of the brain, the results are different. The victim's 

right body can be paralyzed. Also, the victim can suffer 

speech problems or memory loss. 

Strokes also cause severe emotional stress. Several stroke 

victims find that they can no longer control emotions. 

They also suffer uncomfortable sensation or pain in 

extremities like toes and fingers.

Some of the common symptoms of stroke are: sudden numbness 

or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side 

of the body; sudden problems in speaking; sudden blurring 

of vision in one or both eyes; sudden trouble in walking, 

dizziness or loss of balance. Anyone who experiences these 

symptoms must immediately seek medical help.

The strokes are of two kinds. These are: ischemic strokes 

that result from the clogging of arteries and hemorrhagic 

strokes that are caused by the bursting of arteries in the 

brain.  The hemorrhagic stroke requires surgical 

intervention because the blood flows out of the ruptured 

artery and starts exercising pressure on the brain. The 

ischemic stroke is treated by removing or dissolving clots.

There are three ways to treat stroke. The first is 

preventive. It involves proper diagnosis of ailments 

like blood clotting, hypertension, diabetes, and taking 

regular medication to prevent stroke. The second is 

regulatory, that is therapy that tries to reduce damage 

while an individual is hit by a stroke. The third is based 

on rehabilitation. It is aimed to assist the patient 

recover from the affects of a stroke. 

The difficulty with stroke is that it can recur. One in 

every four patients has a stroke within 5 years of the 

first one. This makes post-stroke care even more important. 

Also, strokes that recur are more dangerous, and cause more damage.

The patient needs to be especially careful of minor attacks 

of stroke. These are called Transient Ischemic Attacks or 

TIA. They are like warning signals, and result from 

temporary clotting in the arteries. They don't cause 

serious damage but give the patient enough reason to be 

more careful.

Three kinds of tests are conducted to check the condition 

of the brain. These are: imaging tests that produce a 

picture of the brain; electrical tests that record the 

electrical impulses of the brain; and blood flow tests 

that show changes in blood flow to the brain. All these 

tests are painless, and very useful in making a diagnosis.

A good place to collect information about stroke is the 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 

(www.ninds.nih.gov). Another useful site is that of 

National Stroke Association (www.stroke.org).