Stroke

Stroke: Overview

Strokes can be serious issue to deal with. They are the result of build up of plaque/gunk in the arteries of the brain. This build up of gunk and plaque can be accelerated by high blood pressure, bad cholesterol in the blood, and type 2 Diabetes. This build up of plaque is due to wear and tear of the arteries and typically afflicts the elderly. Strokes come with their own specific set of signs and symptoms that can be distinguished from other diseases in most instances.

Symptoms of stroke include numbness, weakness, and tingling that is on one side of the body. This is typically the case for 85% of strokes but there are certain strokes that may deviate from this paradigm. It is always best to call 911 if you think you are having stroke like symptoms.

The best thing to do is to get to a hospital as soon as possible due to the fact that time is brain. The longer you deprive the brain of oxygen and blood flow, the less chance there will be for stroke reversal.

There are also other symptoms of diseases that could mimic symptoms of a stroke, but remember if you have a stroke, always call 911. If you have more questions about stroke, call our hotline now. For further questions call 1 919-759-5430.

Complications of a Stroke

Strokes can be debilitating if they interfere with the movement centers of the brain. There are typically two types of strokes.

Brain Bleeds: If you have a high blood pressure that is above 200 systolic then you may have headaches and neurological deficits such as numbness, weakness, tingling and seizures. There are little micro-aneurysms that form and can rupture into the brain causing brain bleeds. If these brain bleeds expand there is a possibility that they can irritate normal brain tissue and lead to coma and brain death. Brain bleeds are very hard to control and if they cannot be treated surgically there may be no way to intervene. Brain bleeds are a very severe process and at times the only treatment may be supportive. That is why it is best to catch this process in the initial stages. Call 911 if you are having the neurological symptoms described above. If you have further questions about brain bleeds then call our toll free hotline. For further questions call 1 919-759-5430.

Blood vessel blockage: This is a different type of stroke that is less detrimental than a brain bleed. It is due to wear and tear of blood vessels due to plaque build-up. This can all be prevented by making sure you control blood pressure, as well as eating healthy meals to avoid high blood fats, and diabetes. Complications of the tradition blood vessel blockage stroke could be brain swelling due to inflammation, numbness, tingling, coma, and even brain death if not treated right away. That is why it is imperative to call 911 and speak to a medical professional if you experience these symptoms. If this is caught within a certain amount of time the deficits can be reversible. That is why you must get to an ER immediately.

Stroke Treatments

Before your stroke is treated a CT is pursued in order to rule out brain bleeding. This ideally is done within the first hour of your symptoms. Then the doctors will decide which medications to give you based on your CT scan. Once bleeding is ruled out doctors can look at your labs, neurological exam, and other symptoms to make sure you are the proper candidate for treatment. Then the physicians can give you a dosage of medication that can help break up the blockage in your arteries. If you have more questions about strokes then call us at our toll free number. For further questions call 1 919-759-5430.