Stroke

  

Stroke is the most common disease nowadays, characterized by a lack of blood flow to the brain due to constriction, blockage, or rupture of blood vessels in the brain area. This results in the destruction of brain tissue and affects brain function, such as cessation or, in some cases, sudden stroke leading to speech impairment or visual impairment. The main cause is the blockage of blood vessels that supply the brain, resulting in the brain not receiving oxygen, ultimately leading to brain death.

Risk factors for stroke can be divided into two categories:

1. Non-modifiable risk factors, such as:

   • Age
   • Gender
   • Having blood that clots faster than normal

2. Modifiable risk factors, such as:

   • High blood pressure
   • Diabetes
   • High cholesterol
   • Heart disease
   • Smoking
   • Birth control pill usage
   • Lack of exercise

Symptoms of stroke can be observed by paying attention to the following key signs:

• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, with a feeling of heaviness on one side of the face or body.
• Facial drooping, difficulty speaking, inability to control saliva, communication problems, slurred speech, or difficulty moving the tongue.
• Severe headache or sudden dizziness without known cause.
• Blurred or double vision, loss of balance, or seeing overlapping images.
• Loss of coordination, walking unsteadily, or some individuals may faint.

If any of these symptoms are present, even if only one, it's crucial not to overlook or delay seeking medical attention. The patient should be promptly taken to the hospital for immediate evaluation by a physician to determine the underlying cause of these symptoms.
 

Diagnosis: There are several methods for diagnosing stroke, such as blood tests to check blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, assessing blood vessel inflammation, measuring heart electrical activity, measuring brain electrical activity, measuring blood flow velocity, and brain scanning, among others.

Treatment for Stroke Patients: Treatment for stroke patients is divided into two parts:

1. Patients with acute stroke: Doctors will administer clot-busting medications, but treatment must be initiated within 4 hours to restore normal blood circulation.

2. Patients with a ruptured blood vessel: Doctors need to control blood volume and maintain normal blood pressure. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to prevent brain damage caused by changes in blood pressure.

Prevention of Stroke: Preventing stroke can be achieved by controlling modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding salty and sweet foods, high-fat foods, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and taking preventive medication to prevent blood vessel blockages, such as antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants. However, medication should be taken under close medical supervision.