Facts on Stroke

When the blood supply to the brain is disturbed, a stroke can occur.

In this article:

What is a stroke?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Effect on your life

Treatment

Advice & Support

What is a stroke?
A stroke is a serious condition – a medical emergency, in fact. A stroke can also lead to long term disability due to the interruption of blood supply to the brain causing brain damage.

If someone suffers a stroke it is essential that you seek medical help for them immediately: the sooner emergency assistance is sought, the less severe the impact of the stroke can be on the victim due to their being less damage to the brain.

Symptoms
What happens during a stroke can differ from one person to another. However, typical symptoms include:

The face ‘falling’ or collapsing on one side

Difficulty swallowing

Difficulty speaking (slurred speech)

Being unable to move one side of your body (or feeling extremely weak there)

Difficulty in understanding what is being said to you

Difficulty walking and a general feeling of being unsteady on your feet

Dizziness and faintness

Coordination problems

Severe headache

There is usually a sudden onset of symptoms. In severe cases there may even be a loss of consciousness.

Causes
There are many risk factors which can increase the possibility of having a stroke, these include:

High blood pressure

Diabetes

Cardiovascular problems

Smoking

Excessive alcohol consumption

Poor diet (which is high in fatty foods and salt, and does not include a proper balance of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis)

Age – 9 out of 10 people who have a stroke are 55 years of age or older. However, younger people can also have a stroke

Having a genetic predisposition to having a stroke (this is where there may be a family history of strokes and so the propensity to having a stroke is passed down)

Also, ethnic background can also be a risk factor for stroke: if you are African, Afro-Caribbean or from south Asia then you are at increased risk.

Diagnosis
In most cases where someone has suffered a stroke, the tell-tale signs of the symptoms (some of which are unique to strokes) are enough. However, to establish a confirmed diagnosis of a stroke, brain imaging is used. This involves either a CT scan or an MRI scan. Through these scans a detailed 3-Dimensional image of the brain is produced upon which a diagnosis can then be based. Blood tests and a blood pressure test are usually also carried out at diagnosis stage.

Effect on your life
For both the person suffering the stroke and their family and friends, it can be extremely upsetting and can change the complexion of everyday life, with the stroke victim needing to be cared for.

Caring for someone after a stroke can be both a stressful and isolating experience, and so it is important to seek emotional support during this time. As the stroke victim gradually recovers through a rehabilitation programme (this involves physiotherapy, primarily) then the carer will be encouraged to become involved in that, too.

Treatment
If you have suffered a stroke then you will be taken to hospital and admitted into the stroke unit where a team of specialists will care for you. If there are no available places in the unit, then you will be admitted into the general ward and cared for there.

The type of treatment you will receive will depend upon the severity of your stroke. These treatments may include:

Prescribed medication – aspirin and/or anticoagulants to prevent blood clots, and also medication to control blood pressure

Surgery – a blood evacuation from the brain procedure (this is only carried out in rare cases and is not always successful)

As we have seen, after treatment you will be advised to undergo a period of controlled rehabilitation under the supervision of your care team. This will include physiotherapy.

Advice & Support
The Stroke Association
Tel: 0845 30 33 100
Website: www.stroke.org.uk

Different Strokes
Tel: 0845 130 7172
Website: www.differentstrokes.co.uk
(An organisation for young people who have suffered a stroke)

British Heart Foundation
Tel: 08450 70 80 70
Website: www.bhf.org.uk


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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