Self Care Articles

Is this your symptom?

• Sudden weakness, tingling or loss of feeling in the face, arm, or leg
• Not able to speak; slurred or confused speech; drooling
• Sudden loss of balance or coordination

Stroke

• A stroke happens when the blood flow to part of the brain is suddenly cut off. This may be caused by a clot in the blood vessel or if the blood vessel bursts and bleeds.
• Brain cells are damaged or die. The amount of damage depends on where the blood flow is cut off and for how long.
• Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot. The clot may form in the blood vessel in the brain from hardening of the arteries or it might have formed somewhere else in the body (such as in the heart) and travel to the brain where it gets stuck. Clot busting drugs or surgery to remove the clot may be needed. Treatment may be needed to prevent more clots.
• Hemorrhagic stroke  is caused by a bleed. A blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds. This limits oxygen and may put pressure on the brain tissue.
• Most cases occur in people age 65 years and older, but can occur at any age.

Risk Factors for Stroke

• Hardening of the Arteries is a common reason why a blood clot forms. You can reduce the risk of having a stroke, or a future stroke, by lowering the risk of hardening arteries. This includes:
  • Stop smoking if you are a smoker.
  • Follow a healthy diet and work to maintain an ideal weight.
  • Get you cholesterol checked. You doctor will suggest treatment if it is high.
  • Exercise: do some moderate activity most days of the week for at least 30 minutes. Examples are brisk walking, cycling, dancing, or gardening.
  • Limit alcohol to one drink a day for women; two drinks a day for men.
  • Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year. Your doctor will treat it, if it is high.
  • See the High Blood Pressure care guide for more advice.
• Diabetes. If you have diabetes, keep you blood sugar levels as near normal as you can.
• Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm which can cause clots to form in the heart. If a piece of clot enters the blood stream, it can lodge in the brain. If you think your heart beat is not regular, ask your doctor to check it for you. He/she will be able to treat the problem or prevent the clots from forming.

Stroke After-Effects

• A major stroke can cause death.
• A minor stroke can cause symptoms which go away completely over time.
• Symptoms may take many months to get better. Some symptoms may never go away. In the first few weeks, swelling in the brain settles down. Over a longer period of time there may be more recovery.
• Every stroke is different. The problems for each person may differ and the treatment plan will be unique.
• Common after effects are:
  • Weakness of one side of the body
  • Problems with balance or co-ordination
  • Swallowing problems because the muscles that help you swallow have become weak
  • Trouble speaking - unable to physically say the words needed or to find the right words
  • Vision problems, such as double vision or loss of part of the field of vision
  • Trouble with mental processes e.g. memory or concentration
  • Emotional upset - crying or laughing easily or for no apparent reason
  • Tiredness

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

• Causes symptoms like a stroke, but symptoms last for less than 24 hours
• Most cases are due to a tiny blood clot which only blocks the blood and oxygen supply to the brain cells for a few minutes. The clot might break up or the blood flow is restored.
• Even if symptoms resolve in a few minutes, you should see a doctor right away. You have a higher risk of having a full stroke.