What is a Stroke? And what is the leading causes of a Stroke? First, a Stroke starts by when your brain isn’t fully providing enough blood nor nutrients it needs properly, then it torments the arteries in the body that will then lead to the brain. The first thing that occurs during a stroke is when the blood vessels which carry oxygen and other important nutrients to the brain becomes jammed by a clot, will eventually rupture and that will lead that person to experiencing a Stroke. Once that happens, a portion of the brain cannot receive any blood nor oxygen anymore, which then means the brain cells will end up dying. (American Stroke Association) From the “American Stroke Association article”, it states that a “Stroke has dropped from the nations fourth leading cause of death to No. 5”, according to the new federal statistics. (American Stroke Association)
The effects of a stroke can really depend on several explanations, after reading from the “American Stroke Association”, I read that the effects of a stroke depend “mainly on the location of the obstruction and the amount of brain tissue that is targeted, because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side will result in neurological complications on the other side of the brain.”(American Stroke Association) Therefore, if the stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, then the left side will be effected and the body will experience paralysis which will now affect only the left side of the body. Those effects will include; problems seeing, irregular behavioral problems and memory loss. Furthermore, if the stroke occurs on the left side of the brain, then only the right side of the body will experience paralysis which will now affect only on the right side of the body. Those effects will include; problems with speech and language, irregular behavioral patterns and memory loss. (American Stroke Association). Strokes also have many different causes, and different types of strokes have other causes and symptoms, but the most common ones that cause a stroke are possibly; smoking, being overweight, family genetics of a stroke and a sedentary lifestyle. In the following article, “Mayo Clinic Center”, it discusses about how people may also experience “temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain” and also states that “80 percent of strokes are ischemic strokes, which occur when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, which causes severely reduced blood flow.” (Mayo Clinic Center)
How to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke and knowing of a stroke is the very first step guaranteeing medical treatment is needed. In the article, the “American Stroke Association” gives examples of warning signs and symptoms of a stroke. These include “sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion of speaking or understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause”. (American Stroke Association) Another quick and easy way to check to see for any common signs of a stroke is to use the “FAST” method to check. Face: first step to make sure when the person smiles to pay close attention to see if one side droops. Arms: second step to make sure and check by raising both arms and pay attention to see if one arm drops down. Speech: third step is to pronounce a short sentence and pay attention to see if the person has odd speech or words slurring. Time: fourth step is if you answer yes to any of the following call EMS immediately and write any other symptoms if started that way you can tell the EMS directly when they get there. (WebMD).
On the side of medical history and a physical exam, your primary Doctor may do other tests as well besides the fast method. In the following article, “Johns Hopkins Medicine” observed the Evaluation procedures for a Stroke which includes Imaging test over the brain. The following test is called Computed tomography or also known as a Ct Scan, and this test will take a x-ray and other images to look and see if there is any irregular problems of the body . A CT scan can show any part of the body you want to examine; including bones in your body or even organs in the body. Another test that is used is an MRI and this test is made up of large electrical magnets to create large images and descriptions to make out organs and other structures in the body as well. Another test is called Radionuclide angiography, it starts off by injecting radioactive particles into the vein or your arm to help seek out a possible stroke. Another test is called Computed Tomographic Angiography, which starts by taking a image of the blood vessels in the body to see anything irregular. Another test is the Conventional Cerebral angiogram, which starts by placing a catheter and this will help determine the cerebral blood flow and tell the specific location where the blockage of the blood vessel is in the body. Another test is the Doppler Sonography this will test waves in the blood vessel in the body to see if there is a haziness sound which could indicate a issue with the blood not flowing like it properly should be in the body. Next, is the Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, this test is used with the skull that can help indicate any problems with the blood vessels working properly. Lastly, the Cerebral blood flow test measures oxygen and blood supply and then travels to different extents of the brain. (John Hopkins Medicine).
Overall, in the time of someone having a stroke, instruct someone immediately to call EMS. In the article “Healthline”, it gives specific steps on what to do when someone around you is having a stroke. First step is to the call EMS if someone is having any stroke symptoms. Second step is to make sure the person you’re taking care of is in a safe setting with their head propped up, and with their hands and legs positioned correctly laying directly on their side. Third step is to check to see if the person is breathing and not unconscious, and if not responsive immediately perform CPR. Fourth step is to cover the person with a blanket and talk to them in a consoling manner letting them know EMS is on their way. Fifth, observe the person carefully for any sudden change and wait for the Emergency Medical service to arrive. (Healthline)