What is Stroke?A stroke occurs when the
blood supply to the part of the brain is suddenly interrupted (ischemic)
or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces
surrounding the brain cells (hemorrhagic). The symptoms of stroke are easy
to spot: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden
trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; or
loss of balance or coordination. Brain cells die when they no longer
receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or when they are damaged by
sudden bleeding into or around the brain. These damaged cells can linger
in a compromised state for several hours. With timely treatment, these
cells can be saved. Stroke is diagnosed through several techniques: a
short neurological examination, blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, Doppler
ultrasound, and arteriography. Stroke seems to run in some families.
Family members may have a genetic tendency for stroke or share a lifestyle
that contributes to stroke. The most important risk factors for stroke are
hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Other risks
include heavy alcohol consumption, high blood cholesterol levels, illicit
drug use, and genetic or congenital conditions. Some risk factors for
stroke apply only to women. Primary among these are pregnancy, childbirth,
and menopause.
Is there any
treatment?Generally, there are three treatment stages for stroke:
prevention, therapy immediately after stroke, and post-stroke
rehabilitation. Therapies to prevent stroke are based on treating an
individual's underlying risk factors. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a
stroke while it is happening. Post-stroke rehabilitation is to overcome
disabilities that result from stroke damage. Medication or drug therapy is
the most common treatment for stroke. Surgery can be used to prevent
stroke, to treat acute stroke, or to repair vascular damage or
malformations in and around the brain. For most stroke patients, physical
therapy is the cornerstone of the rehabilitation process. Another type of
therapy involving relearning daily activities is occupational therapy
(OT). OT also involves exercise and training to help the stroke patient
relearn everyday activities such as eating, drinking and swallowing,
dressing, bathing, cooking, reading and writing, and toileting. Speech
therapy is appropriate for patients who have no deficits in cognition or
thinking, but have problems understanding speech or written words, or
problems forming speech.
What is the
prognosis?Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect
the entire body. Some of the disabilities that can result from stroke
include paralysis, cognitive deficits, speech problems, emotional
difficulties, daily living problems, and pain.
What research is being
done?Some brain damage that results from stroke may be secondary
to the initial death of brain cells caused by the lack of blood flow to
the brain tissue. This brain damage is a result of a toxic reaction to the
primary damage. Researchers are studying the mechanisms of this toxic
reaction and ways to prevent this secondary injury to the brain.
Scientists hope to develop neuroprotective agents to prevent this damage.
Another area of research involves experiments with vasodilators,
medication that expand or dilate blood vessels and thus increase the blood
flow to the brain. Basic research has also focused on the genetics of
stroke and stroke risk factors. One area of research involving genetics is
gene therapy. One promising area of stroke animal research involves
hibernation. The dramatic decrease of blood flow to the brain in
hibernating animals is extensive enough t that it would kill a
non-hibernating animal. If scientists can discover how animals hibernate
without experiences brain damage, then maybe they can discover ways to
stop the brain damage associated with decreased blood flow in stroke
patients. Other studies are looking at the role of hypothermia, or
decreased body temperature, on metabolism and neuroprotection. Scientists
are working to develop new and better ways to help the brain repair itself
and restore important functions to the stroke patients. Some evidence
suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in which a small
magnetic current is delivered to an area of the brain, may possibly
increase brain plasticity and speed up recover of function after stroke.
Keeping on Top of Your Condition
Keeping in tune with your disease or condition not only makes treatment less intimidating but also increases its chance of success, and has been shown to lower a patients risk of complications. As well, as an informed patient, you are better able to discuss your condition and treatment options with your physician.
A new service available to patients provides a convenient means of staying informed, and ensures that the information is both reliable and accurate. If you wish to find out more about HealthNewsflash's innovative service, take the tour.
American Stroke Association: A Division of the American Heart
Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231-4596
strokeassociation@heart.org
http://www.strokeassociation.org/
Tel:
1-888-4STROKE (478-7653)
Fax: 214-706-5231
Brain Aneurysm Foundation
295 Cambridge Street
Old Forge
Realty Bldg.
Boston, MA 02114
http://www.bafound.org/
Tel:
617-723-3870
Fax: 617-723-8672
National Stroke Association
9707 East Easter Lane
Englewood, CO 80112-3747
info@stroke.org
http://www.stroke.org/
Tel:
303-649-9299 800-STROKES (787-6537)
Fax: 303-649-1328
Stroke Clubs International
805 12th Street
Galveston, TX
77550
strokeclub@aol.com
Tel: 409-762-1022
National Aphasia Association
29 John Street
Suite 1103
New York, NY 10038
naa@aphasia.org
http://www.aphasia.org/
Tel:
212-267-2814 800-922-4NAA (4622)
Fax: 212-267-2812
Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Assocn. (CHASA)
4101 West
Green Oaks Blvd.
PMB #149
Arlington, TX 76016
support@chasa.org##
http://www.hemikids.org/
Tel:
817-492-4325
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