A stroke is a " brain attack" it can happen to anyone at any time, it occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begins to die. When brain cells dies during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 15, millions people worldwide suffer a stroke each year, of these, nearly five million dies, another five million are left permanently disabled. Inthe United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death and it kills 160000 Americans every year. The incidence of new and recurrent stroke each year is around 750 000 and over 4 million people are living with the residue effect of strokes that includes paralysis and disability. Age also have an influence on the risk of stroke. After the age of 30 years, the risk of stroke rises steeply globally. Ninety five percent of all stroke occurs in people aged 65. The risk of dying due to stroke, also rises with age. Therefore the chance of recovering fully from paralysis and disability are very low in aged individual who have a stroke. Males are more at risk than female. However, with the ever increasing rate of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and smoking habits among men and women, the number of women in getting stroke is closing on men.




     There is a  wealth of information available on the cause, prevention, risk, and treatment of stroke. Most stroke victims now have a good chance of survival and recovery. Immediate treatment, supportive care, and rehabilitation can all improve the quality of life for stroke victims.


                 Types of strokes

Transient ishemic attacks

     Doctors also calla transient ishemic attacks (TIA) a warning or a ministroke. A clot that temporary block blood flow to your brain causes a TIA. The blood cot 
 and TIA symptoms last a short period of time 


Ischemic stroke

     An Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot keeps blood from flowing to your brain. The blood clot is often due to atherosclerosis, which is a build up of fatty deposits on the inner lining of the blood vessels. A portion of these fatty acids can break up and block blood flow to your brain. The concepts is similar to that of a heart attack, where a blood clot block blood flow to a portion of your heart. An Ischemic stroke can be embolic, meaning the blood clot travels from one part of your body to the brain. 

Hemorrhagic stroke 

A hemorrhagic stroke results when a blood vessels in your brain ruptures or break splitting blood to the surrounding tissues. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke, the first is an aneurysm, which causes a portion of the weakened blood vessels to balloon outward and sometimes rupture. The other is an arteriovenous malfunctioning, which involves abnormally formed blood vessels. If such blood vessels rupture it can cause hemorrhagic stroke. 

                  Risk factors of stroke 

Certain factors makes you more susceptible to stroke. According to the National Heart, lung and blood institute risk factors for stroke includes, 

Alcohol abuse 

The risk of stroke also increase with heavy alcohol use. You need to drink with caution, minimise your drinking habit, drink in moderation. Heavy alcohol use can also cause high blood pressure. 

Unhealthy diet 

   An unhealthy diet can also increase your risk having stroke, diet high in salt, cholesterol, trans and saturated fat, canbe a factor for stroke. 

Lack of physical exercise 

 Inactivity can also raise the risk of stroke. Exercise on a regular basis has a number of health benefits. Keep aside at least 2 hours for exercise, either joggling, skipping, and even cycling around your neighbourhood. 
   
Overall the common risk factors are, 
Smoking, diabetes, increasing age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Heart conditions like atrial filtration and heart valve disease can also be a potential cause of stroke. When it occurs in younger individuals (less than 50 years old, less common risk factors to be considered includes, illicit drugs, such as, cocaine or amphetamines, ruptured and aneurysm, and inherited (genetic) predisposition to abnormal blood clotting. 

                    Causes of stroke 

The different forms of stroke have different specific causes 

Causes of Ischemic stroke 

  • Ischemic stroke is the most common form accounting for around 85 percent of strokes. This type of stroke is caused by blockage and narrowing of the arteries that provides blood to the brain, resulting in ischemia, severely reduced blood flow that can damage brain cells. 
  • These blockage are often caused by blood clot, which can form either inthe arteries within the brain, or in other blood vessels inthe body before been swept through the blood stream and into narrower arteries with the brain. Fatty deposits within the arteries called plague can cause clots that result ischemia. 

Causes of hemorrhagic stroke 

  • Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by arteries in the brain either leaking blood or bursting open. The leaked blood puts pressure on brain cells and damage them. It also reduces the blood supply reaching the brain tissues after the hemorrhagic point. Blood vessels can break and spill blood, within the brain or near the surface of the brain,sending blood into  the space between the brain and the skull. 
  • The ruptures canbe caused by conditions such as, hypertension, trauma, blood thinning, medication and aneurysm (weakness in blood vessels walls) 

                Symptoms of stroke 

Symptoms of stroke depends on what have being damaged in the brain, due to loss of its blood supply, often the patients may present with multiple symptoms including the following ;
  • Acute change in level of consciousness or confusion 
  • Acute onset of weakness and paralysis of half or part of the body 
  • Numbness of one half or parts of the body 
  • Partial vision loss
  • Double vision
  • Difficult speaking or understanding speech 
  • Difficulty with balance and vertigo. 

        Diagnosis and test for stroke 

There are several different types of diagnostic test that doctors can use to determine which type of stroke have occurred. 

Echocardiogram

 A detailed image of the heart is created to check for any source of dots that could have travelled to the brain to cause stroke. 

Blood test

A doctor may perform blood tests to find out how quickly the patients blood clots, the level of particular substances including clotting factors inthe blood will help check whether or not the patients have an infection. 

CT Scan

A series of X Ray that can show hemorrhages, strokes, tumors and other conditions within the brain. 

MRI Scan

 A radio waves and magnet creates an image of the brain to detect damaged brain tissues. 

Physical examination 

 A doctor will ask about the patient symptoms and medical history. They may check blood pressure, listen to carotid arteries in the neck and examine the blood vessels at the back of the eyes, all to check the indication of clotting. 

  Treatments and medication for stroke 

   Curing stroke depends mostly on the treatment you receive and how quickly you get to the hospital. They also depends on individual medical history. Treatment includes taking medicines that will help prevent future stroke. This medicines includes ; Anti platelet and Anticoagulants.
  •    Anti platelets reduces the likelihood that component of your blood celled platelet will stick together and cause a clot. Aspirin (Buffering) and clopidogrel (plavix) are antiplateletes.
  • Anticoagulant are medicines that reduce the buildup of protein clotting. Several different types of these medicines includes, Wafarin, and Dabigatran.
  • A doctor may also recommend a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. This removes plaque building up inthe carotid artery of your neck, which is a major cause of stroke.

                Rehabilitation of stroke

    Stroke are life changing events that can affect a person, both physically and emotionally, temporary and permanently. After a stroke, successful recovery will often involve specific rehabilitation activities such as.

Joining a support group 

     To help with common mental health problems such as depression that can occur after a stroke. Many finds it useful to share common experiences and exchange information, speech therapy. To help with problems producing or understanding speech, practice relaxation and changing communication styles, using gesture or different tones.

Occupational therapy 

    To help a person improve their ability to carry out daily routine activities, such as, bathing, cooking, dressing, eating, reading, and writing. 

Physical therapy 

     To help a person relearn movements and coordination. It is important to get out and about, even if it's difficult at first.

Supports from family and friends 

     To provide practical support and comfort, letting friends and family know what canbe done to help is very important.
    Rehabilitation is an important and long part of treatment with the right help,rehabilitation to a normal quality of life is possible depending on the severity of the stroke. 

                 Prevention of stroke

    The best way to prevent is to address the underlying causes. This is  best done by living health fully, which means ;
  •   Eating a healthy diet
  • Maintaining a healthy Weight
  •  Exercising regularly, don't smoke
  • Avoiding alcohol or drinking moderately 
     Eating a healthy diet means plenty of fruits and vegetables and healthy whole grains, nut seeds, and legumes, eating little or no red or processed meat,limiting intake of cholesterol and saturated fat, and minimising salt intake so a to support healthy blood pressure. Other measures taken to help reduce the risk of stroke include;
  • Keeping blood pressure under control 
  • Managing Diabetes  treating obstructive sleep apnea ( if present) 
   As well as these lifestyle changes, a doctor can help reduce the risk of future Ischemic stroke through prescribing Anticoagulant and antiplateletes medication. In addition to these the arteries surgery previously mentioned can also be used to lower the risk of repeated stroke,as well as some other surgical option still being studied.
    Stroke is a very dangerous condition which will paralyse your body an render you inactive, stick to the above mentioned tips on preventing stroke, so as to live a healthy life. We care about your health, if you have any questions or suggestions use the comment box below,do follow us for more information on your health.