The word stroke is extremely familiar to us. We frequently hear that someone we know has had a stroke. How much do you understand about this disease? If you understand what a stroke is, why it occurs, and how to avoid it, you can easily rescue a loved one or your family. Let’s learn more about this condition. 

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when a blood clot plugs an artery, causing brain cells to die and impairing the brain’s capacity to function. This is a stroke. A stroke can occur at any age. Women are more prone to this condition than males. A mild stroke is one in which just weakness in the hands and feet occurs. However, if the stroke is extremely severe, a portion of the body may become paralyzed. During this moment, the patient loses her capacity to talk. Sometimes this results in death. 

The type of stroke

There are two types of stroke –

• Ischemic stroke
• Hemorrhagic stroke 

1. Ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted due to a lack of oxygen. It is also called atherosclerosis. This type of stroke is usually more common. One study found that about 80% of cases are ischemic strokes. In this type of stroke, the patient’s risk of death is low, but it takes a long time to recover. Many of these patients are living with permanent disability. 

2. hemorrhagic stroke.

A cerebral blood artery bursts, resulting in a hemorrhagic stroke. This form of stroke is less common, but it is quite dangerous. When this occurs, the blood compresses the brain tissue, disrupting normal brain function. In this situation, the patient faces a significant danger of mortality. Those who can withstand the initial shock have a lower probability of bleeding again. There is a lower danger of irreversible injury.

What led to the stroke

1. High blood pressure: Stroke is mostly caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure. As a result, the blood vessels sustain damage and become more prone to occlusion or rupture.
2. Smoking: Smoking causes damage to blood arteries and raises the chance of blood clots, which can result in stroke.
3. Diabetes: As a result of potential harm to blood vessels and neurons, diabetics are more likely to get strokes.
4. Excessive Cholesterol: Excessive LDL cholesterol can clog arteries and raise the risk of clots.
5. Atrial Fibrillation: A blood clot that forms in the heart as a result of an irregular heartbeat might result in a stroke. 
6. Obesity: Being overweight and sedentary raises the risk of stroke by causing illnesses including diabetes and high blood pressure.
7. Family history: Heart disease and stroke run in the family.

Symptoms

It is critical to understand the signs of stroke. The common symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, primarily on one side.
• Difficulty talking or communicating.
• Experiencing vision problems in one or both eyes.
• Dizziness, difficulty walking, and lack of balance or coordination.
• Severe headache without a known reason.
• Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical assistance right once.  

Method of Treatment

The management of a stroke is determined by whether it is ischemic (caused by a blood clot) or hemorrhagic. 

An ischemic stroke

• If the patient arrives at the hospital within a few hours after symptoms start, the doctor may administer intravenous thrombolytics (clot-busting medications such as TPA).
• In some circumstances, a thrombectomy is performed to remove the clot physically.
• Antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications may be recommended to avoid further clots.
• Take the required precautions if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol. 

A hemorrhagic stroke

• Surgery may be required to control the bleeding, remove clots, or repair damaged blood vessels
• Pain and swelling can be reduced by medicines
• Close monitoring may be necessary

Physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy may be used to treat either kind of stroke.  

Physiotherapy

If a stroke sufferer receives PT at the doctor’s suggestion within 24 hours, he or she might begin to recuperate quickly. The duration of a patient’s recovery is determined by the kind and severity of the stroke, as well as age, blood pressure, diabetes, and other characteristics.

Some of the patients are in good condition. They can eat and converse. Many people cannot move their hands and feet on one side; in such cases, exercise should be performed by a physiotherapist or taught to them. 

Those who are unable to communicate, do not comprehend, are fed via a tube or passing urine through a catheter, have a back injury from lying down, or are in a lot of pain in the affected organ naturally stress out other family members. To facilitate slow rehabilitation, the patient should be encouraged to walk about, sit, and avoid any wounds on their back. Air beds should be provided. 

How can you prevent a stroke?

Additional measures should be taken, particularly if you have risk factors or a family history of stroke. A healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of certain illnesses. The following procedures can be performed to mitigate the risk.  

Select a healthy diet.

Consume a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and sodium-free options.

Control your blood pressure.

To treat high blood pressure, have your blood pressure monitored regularly and follow your doctor’s suggested medicines.

Control your diabetes.

Get your blood pressure tested regularly, and manage your blood sugar with food, exercise, and medicines.

Quit smoking

Quitting smoking greatly lowers the risk of stroke. Alcohol drinking raises blood pressure and increases the risk of stroke. Therefore, this behavior should be avoided.

Exercise frequently.

Stroke victims should exercise regularly. If feasible, exercise at least three times each week. This may lessen the likelihood of the patient relapsing. In addition, keeping blood pressure and diabetes under control, consuming less sodium, and eating a reasonable diet are all required. Regular exercise can promote a healthy lifestyle.