Strokes is due to a blood clot or bleeding in the brain
An Strokes suddenly causes infertile half-sided symptoms due to a stop in blood flow to the brain
90% of all people with apoplexy have very characteristic symptoms:
facial paralysis
Half-sided paralysis or disturbances in the arm and / or legs
Disturbance of speech
Disturbances of vision
What are Strokes?
An stroke (stroke) occurs when blood flow to a region of the brain is reduced or stopped
Brain cells begin to die within minutes after they have lost their vital nutrient supply (especially oxygen) – a process that continues over the next hours
This can be a life threatening condition, and help should be called immediately
Background
Symptoms typically occur in seconds to few minutes
It may be a bleeding or more often a blood clot
A bleeding can occur as a result of high blood pressure or malformation of the vessels
A blood clot may occur on the spot, most frequently due to atherosclerosis (most common)
Alternatively, the blood clot comes from another place in the body where the blood solidifies, for example in the heart
Quick help is important
The faster the help, the less the damage could be
Medicines that can dissolve the blood clot should be given within 4.5 hours
In case of bleeding, surgery or rapid blood pressure control can be life-saving
The longer an apoplexy remains untreated, the greater the damage and loss of function
Successful treatment depends on how quickly the patient is being treated
Risk factors for strokes are:
High age
High blood pressure
Earlier apoplexy
Smoking
Diabetes
Heart disease, especially irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
High cholesterol
Overweight
Too little exercise
Hereditary factors
High intake of alcohol
Certain drugs
Warning Signs of Stroke
The signs below may indicate an apoplexy or a transient case of reduced blood supply to parts of the brain (called TCI)
Contact a doctor immediately if any of the following occurs:
Sudden weakness on the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
Sudden loss of sight to one side
Loss of ability to speak, difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Suddenly powerful headache – “like a lightning from clear skies” – for no apparent reason
Inexplicable dizziness or difficulty in breathing, especially if it is accompanied by one or more of the other symptoms
At the earliest possibility, the person must be hospitalised immediately
