Stroke: Symptoms, Cause, Types, Symptoms, Treatment

According to the World Health Organization, stroke is the second leading cause of dead and third rank cause of disability. In low- and middle-income countries, there were 70% of stroke and stroke-related deaths and disability-adjusted life 87%.

What is a stroke?

Stroke is well known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or brain attack. It causes by blood supply is interrupted to part if the brain, affecting brain cells to die. As a result, loss of brain function in the affected area.

How many types of stroke?

What are the signs and symptoms of the stroke?

Common stroke symptoms in men and women sudden:

Numbness or weakness of the face
Numbness or weakness of arm or leg, particularly on one side of his/her body
Confusion, difficulty to speak, or understand
Visual problem (trouble to see in one or both eyes)
Difficulty to walk, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Severe headache with unknown cause

What are the symptoms of stroke in women?

Women have an adverse effect on stroke than men. Thus, there are different symptoms from common symptoms among women that can be like:

Loss of consciousness or fainting
General weakness
Dyspnea or difficulty or shortness of breath
Confusion, unresponsiveness or disorientation
Sudden behavioral change
Agitation
Hallucination
Nausea or vomiting
Pain
Seizure
Hiccups

Why do women have a higher risk of stroke than men?

The higher risks of stroke in women may be due to:

Pregnancy
Preeclampsia
Birth control pill (contraceptive pill)
Hormone replacement therapy
Migraine with aura
Atrial fibrillation

What is the meaning of F.A.S.T for stroke?

When someone is having a stroke, every second and minute count. In order to help he/she on time, you need to learn how to recognize the telltale signs of stroke. The quickly you notice the symptoms of a stroke, you can save his/her life and even yours.

F – Face: ask he/she to smile. Does his/her face drop one side?
A-Arms: ask he/she to raise both arms. Does his/her arm drift downward one side?
S – Speech: ask he/she to repeat a simple sentence. Is his/her speech slurred or strange?
T – Time: if you see any of the signs abovementioned, call emergency number straight away

You have to note the time when any of those symptoms occur. It will help the health care provider decide the best procedure for each person.

What is the meaning of F.A.S.T for stroke?

What are the risk factors for stroke?

Numerous factors can increase your chance to have a stroke include:

Lifestyle

Overweight or obese
Physical inactivity
Heavy drinking
Illegal drugs use (cocaine and methamphetamine)

Medical

High blood pressure or hypertension
Smoking cigarette or secondhand smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obstructive sleep apnea
Heart diseases such as heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)

Other factors

Age: people age 55 years old and over have a higher risk to have a stroke than younger people
Race: African American have a higher risk to have a stroke than other races
Sex: women usually to have a higher risk to have a stroke than men when they are getting older
Hormone: use contraceptive pills or hormone therapies

What are the tests to diagnose strokes?

Blood tests: to determine any signs of anemia, infection, blood sugar level, how fast blood clot, cholesterol, total lipids, LHL, and HLD level
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): to identifies the location of ischemic areas
Computerized tomography (CT): to identifies the area of bleeding
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): to determine if an underlying rhythm abnormality
Cerebral angiogram: to determine whether the arteries in your neck or the brain blockage or clot
Carotid duplex ultrasound: to determine whether the arteries are narrowed because of plaque buildup
Echocardiogram: to determine if a blood clot within the heart may have caused the stroke

What are the complications of stroke?

The complications of a stroke depend on how long the brain lack blood flow and which area of the brain was affected. The complication may include:

Loss of muscle movement (called paralysis)
Difficulty to speak, talk or swallowing
Difficulty to think or lose memory
Problems with emotional
Pain, numbness or unusual sensations
Behavioral changes and need self-care ability

How to prevent a stroke?

You can prevent stroke by practice healthy behavior and lifestyle. This include:

Healthy diet: be smart to choose foods that you going to eat. Low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help to prevent high cholesterol. Lower salt and sodium intake in your meals also help to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels increase your opportunity to have a stroke.
Quit smoking: smoking increases your chance to have a stroke, so if you do smoke, quit it in order to lower your risk.
Limited alcohol drinking: men should not have more than two drinks per day whereas women should have only one.
Healthy weight: manage your body mass index (BMI) to lower your risk to have a stroke.
Physical activity: keep active. It helps you to stay healthy and avoid diseases.

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