Stroke Education

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain suddenly stops or is interrupted. The brain cells don’t receive oxygen and nutrients that blood supplies with it hence they are damaged or dead. A stroke is known as ‘cerebrovascular accident’. Severity of the stroke varies depending on the conditions where it occurred and the extent of the damage. Sometimes it may give unconsciousness or death also. On the contrarily a small stroke may not even be noticed as their duration and symptoms are minimum.

Stroke education means everybody should have knowledge of symptoms, causes and the methods to prevent it and avoid it.

There are two main causes of stroke. The stroke caused by a blockage from narrowing of the arteries or clot in the blood vessel supplying the brain, is called as Ischemic stroke.

Hemorrhagic stroke is due to bleeding into or around brain.

The symptoms of the stroke may be sudden numbness or weakness in limbs, vomiting, paralysis especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, loss of balance or coordination, sudden trouble with one or both eyes, severe headache built up over a number of hours.

Treatment of stroke depends on the cause of stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke may require surgery to stop the bleeding in the brain. The aim of the treatment is to help recovery by treating any underlying cause, to reduce disability and to prevent recurrence. This can be achieved through prescribed drugs, like anticoagulants to thin the blood or medications to reduce blood pressure if it is high.

Stroke can affect many parts of the body so doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists and physiotherapists, caregivers will be coordinated for treatment and rehabilitation process.

People who survive a stroke may have temporary or permanent disabilities. They may have difficulties in controlling their emotions. More than 25% of people who recovered from their first stroke will have another within 5 years. Depression is a common feature if disabilities prevail. Bed rest may be advised to control the blood pressure.

People who know this information will definitely want to prevent the stroke and they will do the necessary efforts.

Recommended Reading

1. Hemorrhagic Stroke - A stroke means brain does not get enough blood supply because of blockage of arteries or Bleeding into or around...
2. Stroke Awareness - When brain cells are damaged or dead because of lack of oxygen and nutrients, it is called stroke. Stroke can...
3. Types Of Stroke - The stroke is a sudden interruption or reduction in the blood supply to the brain. The most common reasons of...
4. Stroke Treatment - Stroke is death of brain cells because of insufficient blood supply to brain cells due to blockage or bleeding in...
5. Primary Prevention Of Stroke - It is said that prevention is always better than cure. It is very true in case of serious diseases like...