Stroke Treatment

Stroke is death of brain cells because of insufficient blood supply to brain cells due to blockage or bleeding in brain. Strokes can be of two type's Ischemic stroke and Hemorrhagic stroke. The extent of damage depends on the severity of the stroke. Mostly Ischemic stroke victims recover early and physical disability is not seen. But with Hemorrhagic stroke some body functions or parts of body are affected and it could not be repaired fully.

Stroke treatment totally depends upon the extent of damage. Early treatment can help to minimize the damage to brain tissue and improve the recovery. Treatment mostly is long term including the rehabilitation and prevention of additional strokes.

For Ischemic stroke initial treatment includes removing the blockage and restoring blood flow. Tissue plasminogen activator is a medicine that can break up blood clots and regularize the blood flow when administered within 3 hours of the event. A diuretic, Mannitol may be used intravenously to reduce intracranial pressure during an ischemic stroke. Antihypertensives like labetaloa and enalapril may be used alone or in combination with diuretics to treat high blood pressure. Dizziness, fatigue and headache are the mild side effects of these medicines.

Aspirin with dipyridamole may be advised to reduce the risk for recurrent stroke. Stomach pain, heartburn, nausea are the side effects of this medicine. Clopidogrel bisulfate is an antiplatelet medicine that is taken orally once a day to prevent the formation of blood clots. It may be prescribed for patients with atherosclerosis who have had a recent stroke and is used to prevent recurrence. Side effects are abdominal pain, rash, diarrhea and headache. For patients who experience recurrent seizures after a stroke, anti convulsants such as diazepam and lorazepam may be prescribed. To prevent the clot formation anticoagulants such as warfarin is prescribed. Such patients need to check blood regularly to monitor coagulation and prevent abnormal bleeding.

Hemorrhagic stroke are more severe than Ischemic stroke and may require surgery to relieve intracranial pressure caused by bleeding. Surgery may be performed to seal off the defective vessel and redirect blood flow to other vessels that supply blood to the same region of the brain. Stents, tiny platinum coils are inserted into blood vessel through the catheter to support the blood vessel to prevent further damage and additional strokes.

Rehabilitation is an important aspect of the stroke treatment. It is a long term treatment including physiotherapy, speech therapy depending upon the needs of every patient.

Recommended Reading:

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