Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in the US, with one person dying every 4 minutes as a result.
Strokes occur due to problems with the blood supply to the brain; either the blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel within the brain ruptures.
A stroke is a medical emergency, and
treatment must be sought as quickly as possible.
There are three main kinds of stroke:
* Ischemic strokes are the most common form of stroke, with around 85% of strokes being of this type.
They are caused by the arteries that connect to the brain becoming blocked or narrowed, resulting in ischemia - severely reduced blood flow.
* Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by arteries in the brain either leaking blood or bursting open.
The hemorrhaged blood puts pressure on brain cells and damages them. Blood vessels can burst or spill blood in the middle of the brain or near the surface of the brain, sending blood into the
space between the brain and the skull.
* Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also referred to as mini-strokes are different from the aforementioned kinds of stroke because the flow of blood to the brain is only disrupted temporarily for a short time.
They are similar to ischemic strokes in that they are often caused by blood clots or other debris.
SYMPTOMS
* Confusion, including trouble with speaking and understanding.
* Headache, possibly with altered consciousness or vomiting.
* Numbness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body.
* Trouble with seeing, in one or both eyes.
* Trouble with walking, including dizziness and lack of co-ordination.
* Depression.
* Pain in the hands and feet that gets worse with movement and temperature changes.
* Paralysis or weakness on one or both sides of the body.
* Trouble controlling or expressing emotions.
WAYS HOW TO DIAGNOSE
* Face drooping: if the person tries to smile does one side of the face droop?
* Arm weakness: if the person tries to raise both their arms does one arm drift downward?
* Speech
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