A stroke is a condition in which the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen. This can be caused by an obstruction in the blood flow, or the rupture of an artery that feeds the brain. The patient may suddenly lose the ability to speak, there may be memory problems, or one side of the body can become paralyzed.
The two main types of stroke include ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
- Ischemic stroke accounts for about three-quarters of all strokes and
occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms that blocks blood flow to part of
the brain. If a blood clot forms somewhere in the body and breaks off to become
free-floating, it is called an embolus. This wandering clot may be carried
through the bloodstream to the brain where it can cause ischemic stroke.
- A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel on the brain's surface ruptures and fills the space between the brain and skull with blood (subarachnoid hemorrhage) or when a defective artery in the brain bursts and fills the surrounding tissue with blood (cerebral hemorrhage).
The outcome after a stroke depends on where the stroke occurs and how much of the brain is affected. Smaller strokes may result in minor problems, such as weakness in an arm or leg. Larger strokes may lead to paralysis or death. Many stroke patients are left with weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, incontinence, and bladder problems.
Here are some facts that i found about who gets a stroke, its interesting that just based on your culture group you may be at risk of having a stroke. It doenst necessarily maen that you will get a stroke just because you smoke or because you are hispanic, no it just means theres a higher chance because thats what statistcs show and because its more common amongst people who have any of these things.
Anyone can suffer from stroke. Although many risk factors for stroke are out of our control, several can be kept in line through proper nutrition and medical care. Risk factors for stroke include the following:
- Over age 55
- Male
- African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander
- A family history of stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking cigarettes
- Diabetes
- Obesity and overweight
- Cardiovascular disease
- A previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- High levels of homocysteine (an amino acid in blood)
- Birth control use or other hormone therapy
- Cocaine use
- Heavy use of alcohol - researchers from the University of Lille Nord de France, Lille, France, reported in the journal Neurology that heavy regular drinkers have a considerably higher risk of stroke early in life compared to others.
- Men from divorced families have a higher chance of suffering a stroke than those from families which are still intact
That was a good explanation of strokes. I like the fact that you included persons who may be at risk. I know lots of people that fall under the risk categories you listed, including myself. What did you think about the ways the book described as ways to treat persons who had a stroke? I thought it was very interesting how they use a certain medication to slow the bad side effect and potential dangers for stroke patients on their way to the hospital. How the medication is good for one type of stroke but potentially bad for the other. The odds of the latter in regards to survival and better prognosis were extremely low. The book further stated that they justify using the medication without knowing which type of stoke the person may have had because it is less likely for the latter. What are your thoughts on that? I understand the logic but if it were one of my loved ones I would probably not agree with the use of the medication.
ReplyDeleteI dont know how i would react about it, if i had a family member that had a stroke i would want the necessary medication to be given to them immediately, but like you said that they dont know the type pf stroke and they just use whichever medication to treat it in time that doesnt in a way feel right. There can be certain consequences if the patient is administered the wrong medictaion because they both are different types of strokes, but it can also save their lives. I dont know what to think about this, i guess i have mixed feelings on it because i would want them to be treated well in case this would to happen, but i dont want them to have consequences if they had been given the wrong medication.
DeleteWhen I was in like 3rd grade, my grandpa started getting really sick and within a year, he had died. It turned out that, when his health started deteriorating, it was because he had a series of several small strokes that basically all contributed to his condition. I still don't know what kind of strokes they were, but I guess I can find out now given the information you've provided. I'll have to ask my mom. Anyway, looking at the things that make you more likely to have a stroke, my grandpa fit quite a few of the criteria. Now that I really think about it, I guess I do too. I think you've just inspired me to go to the doctor more regularly.
ReplyDeleteAwww im glad that my information inspired you, but like you said we have to go to the doctor regularly to check that we are doing just fine. Our health is more important and if we have several of the symptoms that are listed or we have family that has any of these things we are as well as they are at risk, so the best thing is to go to the doctor and see what we can do to stay healthier.
Deletemy grandmother has had two strokes. She is in her early 90s. She had he first stroke about 2 years ago. She knew something wasnt right and they rushed her to the emergency room. She lost feeling in her tongue and she would ask us if she had anything on it. After the hospitalization they sent her to a rehab where she is still. It seems as if she has deteriorated. She had another stroke and I was there to experience it. She just said that she didnt feel good but could not say how it felt. We later found out it was another stroke. I think that it was crazy how she was having a stroke and we couldnt help her.
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