Stroke-Facts, causes, symptoms, remedies and precautions

Stroke-Facts, causes, symptoms, remedies and precautions- October 29, 2014 has been declared as “World Stroke awareness Day” and we must contribute our best to it. A stroke or Crebrovascular accident (CVA) Cerebrovascular insult (CVI), or Colloquially brain attack is the loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This disturbance is either a result of hemorrhage or due to lack of blood flow(The ischemia). As a result, the affected area of the brain does not function its normal way, resulting in an inability to move one or more limbs on either side of the body, failure to understand or formulate speech, or a vision impairment of one side of the visual field.

Some shocking facts about Stroke.

1. Death rate by stroke is higher in ladies in comparison with gents.

2. 31 per cent victims of stroke are less than 65 years of age.

3. The victim with only 2 years of age is also reported.

4. One out of every six people suffers stroke at least once in his life.

5. It is estimated that about 15000000 people suffer stroke every year.

6. 60 per cent of stroke victims loss their life.

7. Every 6 seconds stroke claims a life in the world.

8. Chances of recovery are more if Tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) administered within 3 hours

Types of Stroke

Ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke occurs as a result of an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. It accounts for 87 percent of all stroke cases.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. Two types of weakened blood vessels usually cause hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). But the most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke is uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

TIA (transient ischemic attack)

TIA (transient ischemic attack) is caused by a temporary clot. Often called a “mini stroke”, these warning strokes should be taken very seriously.

Symptoms of a stroke

· Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.

· Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

· Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

· Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

· Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Unique stroke symptoms in Women

· Sudden face and limb pain

· Sudden hiccups

· Sudden nausea

· Sudden general weakness

· Sudden chest pain

· Sudden shortness of breath

· Sudden palpitations

FAST(F.A.S.T.)

FAST developed in the UK in 1998 by a group of stroke physicians, ambulance personnel, and an emergency room physician is an acronym used as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to stroke victim needs. The acronym stands for

· Facial drooping: A section of the face, usually only on one side, that is drooping and hard to move

· Arm weakness: The inability to raise one's arm fully

· Speech difficulties: An inability or difficulty to understand or produce speech

· Time: Time is of the essence when having a stroke, and an immediate call to emergency services or trip to the hospital is recommended.