Stroke

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is fully or partially blocked. The most common type of stroke, an ischemic stroke, is caused when a blood clot travels to the brain, interrupting blood flow and depriving the brain of oxygen. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and occur when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain.

Transient ischemic attacks is a mini-stroke that serves as a warning sign of a future stroke. In this case, the disruption of blood flow is only temporary (usually with a duration of less than five minutes) and does not create lasting complications.

Signs and symptoms of stroke

• Numbness or weakness in the arm, face, and leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Trouble speaking or understanding others.
• Slurred speech.
• Confusion, disorientation, or lack of responsiveness.
• Sudden behavioral changes, especially increased agitation.
• Vision problems, such as trouble seeing in one or both eyes with vision blackened or blurred, or double vision.
• Trouble walking.
• Loss of balance or coordination.
• Dizziness.
• Severe, sudden headache with an unknown cause.
• Seizures.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Paralysis.

Risk factors for stroke 

• Diet.
• Inactivity.
• Heavy alcohol consumption.
• Tobacco use.
• Personal background; age,sex, family history.
• Health history; previous stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart valve defects, blood clots disorder.

Complications of stroke

• Seizures.
• Loss of bladder and bowel control.
• Cognitive impairment, including dementia.
• Reduced mobility, range of motion, or ability to control certain muscle movements.
• Depression.
• Mood or emotional changes.
• Shoulder pain.
• Bed sores.
• Sensory or sensation changes.

Preventing stroke

• Quit smoking.
• Keep a moderate weight.
• Limit alcohol use.
• Get regular check ups.

Diagnosing stroke

• A physical exam. A healthcare professional does several tests, including listening to your heart and checking your blood pressure. A neurological exam looks at how a potential stroke is affecting your nervous system.
• Blood tests. You may need tests to check how fast your blood clots and whether your blood sugar is too high or low. You also may be tested to see if you have an infection.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed image of your brain. A CT scan can show bleeding in the brain, an ischemic stroke, a tumor or other conditions. You might have a dye injected into your bloodstream to view the blood vessels in the neck and brain in greater detail. This type of test is called a computerized tomography angiography.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses powerful radio waves and a magnetic field to create a detailed view of the brain. The test can detect brain tissue damaged by an ischemic stroke and brain hemorrhages. Sometimes a dye is injected into a blood vessel to view the arteries and veins and highlight blood flow. This test is called magnetic resonance angiography or magnetic resonance venography.
• Carotid ultrasound. In this test, sound waves create detailed images of the inside of the carotid arteries in the neck. A carotid ultrasound can show buildup of fatty deposits called plaques and blood flow in the carotid arteries.
• Cerebral angiogram. This test is less common, but it provides a detailed view of arteries in the brain and neck. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted through a small incision, usually in the groin. The tube is guided through the major arteries and into the carotid or vertebral artery in the neck. Then a dye is injected into the blood vessels to make the arteries visible under X-ray imaging.
• Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create detailed images of the heart. An echocardiogram can find a source of clots in the heart that may have traveled to the brain and caused a stroke.