A stroke is an acute disorder of the cerebral circulation. It occurs when a blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain occurs. The blood supply to the large hemispheres is disrupted, starving the neurons and killing them. This article is sponsored by the work team of 1800 Garage Doors. This company does a lot to keep citizens healthy.

Stroke is of two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. The most common type is ischemic (more than 80% of cases). It begins because of narrowing and blockage of blood vessels in the brain. Blood clots and foreign bodies (including air bubbles from injections) that have entered the bloodstream contribute to the circulatory disorder. Lack of oxygen and nutrition causes brain cells to die. Although such a stroke develops quite slowly, it is often accompanied by precursors, which will be discussed below. 

Hemorrhagic stroke, as well as subarachnoid hemorrhage, is accompanied by the release of blood from the vascular bed. Hemorrhage can be caused by a ruptured vessel or by thinning of the vessel wall. A hemorrhagic stroke always develops very quickly, within minutes. There is a sharp pain in the head, comparable to the stabbing of a dagger. The patient loses consciousness, vomiting may occur. A hematoma (blood clot, bruise) forms in the brain tissue, which squeezes the surrounding areas. A large hematoma often requires surgical removal.

In all cases, it is necessary to restore normal nutrition to the neurons as quickly as possible. This will stop their further death, help to more easily endure the disease and recover faster.

Signs of stroke

There are certain symptoms by which you can assume a pathology of the cerebral circulation. When they appear, it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance, because the count goes to minutes. The main signs of a stroke are:

• -disturbance or confusion of consciousness, when the person does not understand where he is;
• -loss of consciousness, even for a few moments;
• -Headache, which may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
• -weakness in the extremities (left or right only);
• -disturbing sensation in the arms and legs;
• -unconscious slurred speech;
• -dizziness;
• -visual disorders (blurred vision, narrowing of visual fields, strabismus).

In the state of apoplectic shock a person has a state of stunningness, there may be increased somnolence or unexplained excitement. A person’s sense of balance is impaired, and he or she stumbles and falls over.

With some types of stroke, a person cannot reach his or her chin up to the collarbone. This is caused by a spasm in the muscles at the back of the head. Such spasms occur with cerebral hemorrhage.

Any asymmetry is an alarming sign. If weakness – in one half of the body, if visual impairment – in one eye. This is connected with the fact that usually only one of the hemispheres is affected. And body functions are affected “diagonally” in relation to the lesion.

A simple rapid diagnosis

To identify a stroke, there is an uncomplicated technique. Anyone can identify signs of illness based on the mnemonic technique of UZP – Smile, Talk, Lift.

The first thing to do is to have the patient try to smile. With a stroke, this will not work; the smile will be crooked. One corner of the mouth will remain down. Instead of a smile, a crooked grin will come out at best. Have your loved one say any simple phrase. An alarming sign if he can not pronounce the usual words or speech became inarticulate.

Then you should raise two hands in front of you. If you have a stroke, one of them will not rise well or even “float” to the side.

Risk factors

Improper lifestyle, unhealthy diet, unhealthy habits can cause stroke.

The occurrence of stroke is provoked by

• atherosclerosis;
• smoking;
• hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus;
• alcohol;
• drugs;
• overweight;
• lower physical activity;
• older age.

The likelihood of stroke is higher in those who have already had the disease several years ago. Repeated strokes are much more difficult to bear.

Among the risk factors, transient ischemic attacks are worth mentioning. They are more commonly known as micro stroke. A transient ischemic attack is transient and has the same symptoms as a stroke. The person has headaches, dizziness, numbness on one side of the body, and impaired speech. Short-term loss of consciousness may occur. The main difference is that the manifestations of micro stroke pass without external marks during the day.

When signs of a micro stroke appear, it is necessary to see a doctor, even if everything has passed in 10 minutes. The fact is that almost half of patients have a full-blown stroke within the next five years.

Men fall ill and die more often than women, especially before the age of 60. The risk of the disease increases after the age of 30. Most cases of stroke occur over the age of 45, with more than 60% occurring after age 65.

The combination of several factors significantly increases the risk of stroke. Without waiting for the final blow, it is important to prevent and monitor your health. It is better not to treat such a complicated disease as a stroke, but to prevent its development.