What is stroke and how one prevents it?

Answer 1

A stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is an acute brain injury whereby the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or there is bleeding within the brain.

The part of the brain with disturbed blood supply can no longer receive adequate oxygen carried by the blood; brain cells are therefore damaged or die, impairing function from that part of the brain. Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated.

It is the third leading cause of death and adult disability in the US and industrialized European nations. On average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds and someone dies every 3 minutes. Of every 5 deaths from stroke, 2 occur in men and 3 in women.

RISK FACTORS include: advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.

The term "brain attack" is starting to come into use in the United States for stroke, just as the term "heart attack" is used for myocardial infarction, where a cutoff of blood causes necrosis to the tissue of the heart. Many hospitals have "brain attack" teams within their neurology departments specifically for swift treatment of stroke.

Strokes can be classified into two major categories: ischemic (blood supply interrupted) and hemorrhagic (bleeding within the brain). About 80% of strokes are due to ischemia.

It is important to identify a stroke as early as possible because patients who are treated earlier are more likely to survive and have better recoveries.

The most important risk factors for stroke are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Other risks include heavy alcohol consumption, high blood cholesterol levels, illicit drug use, and genetic or congenital conditions. Family members may have a genetic tendency for stroke or share a lifestyle that contributes to stroke. Having had a stroke in the past greatly increases one's risk of future strokes.

Treating hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking cessation, control of hypercholesterolemia, physical exercise, and avoidance of illicit drugs and excessive alcohol consumption are all recommended ways of reducing the risk of stroke.

Answer 2

There are 2 kinds of stroke: ischemic (lack of blood supply) and hemmorrhagic (bleeding)

Ischemic stroke is basically the same thing as a heart attack, only in the brain. The arteries build up plaques of lipid, a plaque breaks off, causes a clot to form, and that clot can travel to the smaller vessels in the brain, killing part of the brain. What symptoms you get depend on what arteries are hit and the region of the brain that dies. This kind is prevented/delayed the same as heart attacks. Control blood pressure, cholesterol, sugars (if diabetic) through proper diet, exercise, and medicines.

Hemmorrhagic stroke is bleeding into the brain, which ultimately causes ischemia to the brain tissue, and you get a stroke. This kind is much more dangerous, because not only do you have a stroke, you are also bleeding, and you can die from the blood loss. Blood pressure plays a role in this form, as well as meds you may be on, such as Aspirin or Plavix (but don't stop taking them unless your doc says to). Again, control of blood pressure will prevent/delay this kind.

Answer 3

A stroke is bleeding in the brain, usually caused by a small blood vessel bursting. The severity of the stroke depends upon the size of the vessel that bursts and how much bleeding occures in the brain. The effects are determined by where the bleeding occures.

How do you prevent one? Well, in some cases you can't. These are cases where a person has an embolism (sp?) which is a weak section in the side of an artery or vein which baloons out and can split without notice.

However, reducing bad colesterol and doing exercise to improve your cardio vascular system will help.

A family history is indicitative that you may be in line for.a stroke. However it is important to consult with your doctor to get more information.

Answer 4

My mom died of a stroke at the age of 54. She overworked herself often and could never relax. She also had years of high blood pressure, but would not always take her medication because she didn't like the side effects. The stroke also may have been triggered by neck manipulation from a chiropractor visit the day before. My mom's family has a history of high blood pressure. Almost every Aunt has had a stroke and every Uncle has had a heart attack. I also have high blood pressure and make sure to take my blood pressure medication since my cousin had a stroke in her 30's. One thing to also consider is "sticky blood" and blood clotting issues if you suspect they run in your family. I gave you a link for one such clotting disease which is the reason for 1 in 5 strokes in people under the age of 45. Learning to relax and not worry plays a big role in avoiding them too. I

Answer 5

A stroke is when the brain isnt getting enough oxygenated blood and brain cells die that is ischemic stroke. There is also hemmoagic stroke when a blood vessel reptures. Mostly caused from uncontrolled blood pressure.......

Answer 6

Stroke can be caused by Cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding), Cerebral thrombosis (blood clot in the arteries of the brain).
Please see the webpages for more details on Stroke, Hemorrhagic stroke, Stroke secondary to atherosclerosis, Stroke secondary to cardiogenic embolism, Stroke secondary to carotid dissection, Stroke secondary to carotid stenosis, Stroke secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia(FMD), Stroke related to cocaine use and Stroke secondary to syphilis.

Answer 7

Infarct due to blockage an artery to a portion of the brain. Occasionally it may be due to a hemorrage. Keep blood pressure under control, cholesterol down, and pray.

Answer 8

do some gently excersie eat raw and fruits vegetables cut on junk food meditate and knoww you're in perfect health strokes come a lot from tv and media programming they create fear between people and start loosing some weight

Answer 9

stroke is kind of attack. u can prevent them with proper medication and yoga.

Answer 10

blood clot in brain which paralysis one side of body due to lack of blood flow/oxygen to brain, keep weight and chorlestrol down, exercise and eat non fattning foods.