A stroke can affect people from all walks of life and in many parts of the world, irrespective of their gender or race. However, the masculine population is at a greater risk of developing this condition than their female counterparts.
Stroke occurs in two main forms namely mild and acute stroke. Mild stroke presents what is known as the transient symptoms. If these signs are managed well the moment they occur, then development to the acute phase can be prevented. Stroke is characterized by the following symptoms:
Loss of balance
Difficulty in walking
Inconsistent speech
Numbness in the limbs
Paralysis on one part of the body
Two main types of stroke are known to affect the human race: hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Like the name suggests, hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the brain’s blood vessels burst because of pressure. This causes the area around the brain to be filled with blood.
Ischemic Stroke
This is the most common type of stroke and up to 87 percent of the reported cases of stroke fall in this category. It occurs when there is a clot in the blood that tends to affect natural blood flow thus causing inadequacy of blood in the brain. It results in burst blood vessels because of the preceding pressure.
Stroke, just like any other diseases, has causes and is preventable. The main causes of stroke include:
Consumption of excess cholesterol in food
Depression, especially among women
Marital problems, especially among men
Family background
Age related factors
Stroke is manageable; once the signs have manifested, the patient should be taken for prompt medical intervention.
Diagnosis
Medical personnel conduct several tests to ascertain whether the prevailing case is indeed a stroke. These include:
Physical Examination
This entails checking the condition of the blood vessels by strategically locating the artery on the neck. If it is found to be abnormal, then this could indicate a stroke.
Use of Imaging Techniques
The patient is subjected to CT scans and X-Rays. This produces 3D images that will show the brain’s condition and whether or not there is a burst artery.
Acute stroke may require several months of hospitalization. In some cases, home-based care is recommended but under the watchful eyes of a trained healthcare professional.
Treatment involves chemotherapy and occupational therapy.
Chemotherapy
Here, anti-clotting drugs are administered to the patient to help in breaking clots in the blood, hence restoring it to normalcy.
Occupational Therapy
This aims at helping the patient regain the usage of his or her limbs. It is done alongside speech therapy because the disorder leads to loss of speech. The most important treatment is emotional support to the patient and a peaceful atmosphere. Similarly, patients are advised to take meals with low cholesterol levels and avoid alcohol.
Although stroke is known to be life-threatening, it can be effectively managed to avert cases of the condition advancing to acute stages. With early intervention, it has been proven that stroke can be cured.
