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Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is estimated that around 240 people in the United Kingdom every day suffer the devastating effects of a stroke.

Strokes are sometimes thought of as “brain attacks” that occur when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off, cutting off the oxygen and nutrients that brain cells need to survive.

Because brain cells (neurons) can die within minutes, strokes are similar to heart attacks in that they are the medical emergencies we fear the most, and can cause significant life-changing disabilities, such as loss of ability to speak or lack of function of some. parts of the body according to the British newspaper The Telegraph:

How do you think quickly and recognize the signs of a stroke?

There are two main types:

Ischemic strokes (accounting for about 87 percent of all cases) are caused by a blockage (such as a blood clot) in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Hemorrhagic strokes (about 13 percent) occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks, causing bleeding and damage to the tissue around the brain. The symptoms of both types are similar.

Dr Branimir Nevajda, Consultant in Neurology and Stroke at Basildon University Hospital, told the British newspaper: “Early recognition of stroke is vital. “It can save lives and prevent long-term disability.”

Nevajda explains how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and how to take the necessary steps: “Get medical attention immediately if you notice the symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go, or disappearing completely,” and do the following:

Front

Ask the man to laugh, can he? Does his face fall to one side?

The arms

Ask him to raise both arms. And check if one of the arms moves down? Or can not upload? You can also check the legs.

Speech

Ask him to repeat a simple sentence. Does his speech seem slurred, slurred, slurred, or does he have difficulty speaking?

the time

Act quickly. If you see any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Known as “FAST” – the first letters of each of the above commands in English: Face, Arms, Speech, Time – the obvious way to recognize the symptoms of a stroke has remained unchanged for years, although in some areas around the world, it has been extended to “B-Fast, which includes additional early warning signs of balance issues and eye problems. With balance, it means checking for a sudden loss of balance, or coordination, and with the eyes, it means checking for blurred vision or loss in one eye. or both eyes.

Signs

Dr. Nivajda explains that each of the stroke symptoms listed below gives an idea of ​​what is happening in the brain:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness

This happens when a stroke disrupts blood flow to areas of the brain that control muscle movement or sensation. As a result, the affected area of ​​the brain can no longer send or receive appropriate signals to the corresponding parts of the body.

2. Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Strokes that affect the language centers of the brain, such as Broca’s area (responsible for producing speech) or Wernicke’s area (responsible for understanding speech), disrupt communication pathways, leading to problems speaking clearly or understanding others. This can lead to slurred speech or an inability to find the right words.

3. Vision problems

If a stroke occurs anywhere along the visual pathway (ie the lateral lobe, optic nerve, visual pathways or the eye itself) it can cause blurred or double vision, or even partial or complete loss of vision. one eye or both eyes.

4. Headache

This is usually associated with hemorrhagic strokes, and it happens because blood in the brain increases the pressure inside the skull.

5. Dizziness or loss of balance

When a stroke affects the back areas of the brain (such as the cerebellum or brainstem) that control balance and coordination, it may lead to symptoms of dizziness and vertigo.

6. Difficulty walking

Strokes can affect movement in the legs, either through weakness or paralysis of the leg muscles themselves (due to damage to the motor cortex) or through balance problems caused by damaged cerebellar function.

What are the causes of stroke?

The underlying cause depends on the type of stroke, Dr. Nivajda says, but generally it is related to problems that affect your circulation or blood vessels. The main reasons include:

Causes of ischemic stroke

arteriosclerosis: Narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of cholesterol in plaques.

Blood clots: They often arise from the heart, and are particularly common in individuals with an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation.

The causes of hemorrhagic stroke

High blood pressure: Long-term high blood pressure can weaken the walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to break.

Aneurysm: These are weak or thin areas in the walls of blood vessels that can swell and break.

In this regard, Maeva May, associate director of the Stroke Association, says: “Up to 80 to 90 per cent of all strokes are preventable, and evidence shows that working to blood pressure to significantly reduce the risks associated with the brain. ” Cheers”.

Who is most at risk of having a stroke?

The following factors have a major impact on the frequency of stroke:

the age: Strokes occur more commonly in people over 55.

Sex: Men are more prone to stroke than women.

Race: People of African Caribbean origin are at greater risk.

Medical conditionChronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation, increase the risk of stroke.

A way of lifeSmoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, and lack of physical activity contribute to increased risk.

How is a stroke treated?

Stroke treatment depends on the type of stroke and how quickly the patient receives medical care. The following are the basic treatment methods:

ischemic stroke:

Medicines for clot-dissolving: These medicines can dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow. It is only effective when given within a few hours of the onset of symptoms, usually up to 4.5 hours.

Mechanical thrombectomy: This procedure involves using a catheter to physically remove the clot, depending on the patient’s condition, and the location of the clot itself. It is worth noting that this innovative procedure is recognized as one of the most beneficial procedures in medicine today.

Hemorrhagic stroke:

Surgery: If there is severe bleeding, surgery may be needed to repair damaged blood vessels or to remove excess blood from the brain to relieve pressure inside the skull.

Vascular procedures: These less invasive techniques can be used to close bleeding vessels, or to repair aneurysms, to reduce the risk of future aneurysm rupture.

Revival: After initial treatment, many stroke survivors need rehabilitation to regain lost functions. This may include physical therapy and speech therapy, to help regain strength, mobility, coordination and communication skills.

Lifestyle changes: Long-term treatment often involves lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of future strokes. This includes eating a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, managing weight and adhering to prescribed medications for diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and cholesterol.