Stroke
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when an area of the brain does not get enough oxygen and nutrients. Strokes can cause a variety of problems, including weakness or paralysis, difficulty speaking or thinking, and emotional difficulties.
The American Diabetes Association says that two out of three people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease. Taking care of your diabetes can help reduce that risk.
What Causes Stroke?
The most common type of stroke occurs when blood vessels become blocked or damaged, which in turn may cause a clump of blood cells, or a clot, to form. The clot narrows the vessels, making it more difficult for oxygen-rich blood to get through and nourish the brain. This type of stroke accounts for up to 85 percent of all strokes in the United States.
If the blockage in the vessel lasts for just a few moments, this temporary condition is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke.
Although less common, an aneurysm can also cause a stroke. This occurs when a balloon-like bulge (aneurysm) exists in an artery. If the vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain, a stroke occurs.
A top risk factor for stroke includes diabetes because of the circulation problems associated with the disease. In fact, in people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the risk of stroke is double that of the general population. People under age 55 face an even greatest risk.
Certain conditions increase your risk of stroke, including:
- Smoking (this doubles your risk)
- Being overweight, especially around the middle (i.e., men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches and women more than 35 inches).
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal blood cholesterol levels, especially high LDL or “bad” cholesterol and low HDL or “good” cholesterol.
- A personal or family history of stroke or TIA.
How Do You Know If You Are Having a Stroke?
Typically, a stroke or TIA comes on suddenly. When it occurs, you might be unable to call emergency help. Make sure the people you live with also know the warning signs so they can call for you.
Symptoms of a stroke can vary among individuals, but common warning signs can include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms or legs, on one side of your body
- Sudden change in mental awareness; being confused or having difficulty understanding others
- Trouble talking
- Loss of balance, dizziness, or difficulty walking
- Double vision
- Problems seeing normally out of one or both eyes
- Severe headache
If you are having a stroke, it is imperative to get treatment right away to avoid permanent damage. Call 911 if you experience the warning signs.
If the symptoms disappear within a few minutes, it might be a TIA. If you suspect you have had a TIA, talk with your healthcare provider.
How Can You Prevent a Stroke?
You can take charge and reduce your risk of stroke by keeping your blood sugar levels within a normal range and making a few lifestyle changes. Every change will make a difference.
- Do not smoke
- Eat a heart-healthy diet – one high in fiber and low in saturated fat, Trans fat and cholesterol
- Exercise often
- Control your blood pressure, and get it checked often
- Eat a low sodium diet – 2,300 mg sodium or less
- Get your cholesterol levels checked, and aim for an LDL of less than 100 mg/dL (or even less than 70 mg/dL if you face greater risk)
- Ask your doctor about taking an aspirin each day as preventive therapy
How Can You Treat a Stroke?
Prompt treatment of a stroke might minimize damage and boost chances for a strong recovery.
A drug called tPA can dissolve clots that cause strokes. But, in order for it to be effective, you must take it within the first three hours following the initial stroke symptoms.
Researchers are looking into other drugs, some of which show promise at stopping, or even reversing, the damage caused by stroke. These newer drugs also appear to work best when administered immediately after a stroke.
People with other medical conditions, such as recent heart surgery, cannot take tPA. In these cases, the Merci Retrieval System might be used. This surgical procedure uses a corkscrew-like device to pull the clot out of the brain to restore the blood flow. This procedure can work effectively up to eight hours after initial symptoms.
Some patients who experience a stroke might also need surgery to treat the blocked blood vessels.
Carotid endarterectomy removes the plaque inside the carotid artery to help improve the blood flow.
Carotid stenting uses a balloon-like tube to open the artery. A wire or mesh tube called a stent is then inserted to help keep the artery open.
Angioplasty (the widening of arteries) can also be performed on the cerebral arteries.
Doctors might recommend bypass surgery for people who have had several TIAs. This would re-route a good artery to the area of the brain that does not receive enough oxygen.
After a stroke
You will probably need some rehabilitation therapy after a stroke to help relearn skills and restore function. Physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy might help, as well as psychological counseling. You might also need to make some lifestyle changes to prevent additional strokes.
