|
Sponsored Links
A stroke (sometimes called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)) is the rapidly developing loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain, caused by a blocked or burst blood vessel. This can be due to ischemia (lack of glucose and oxygen supply) caused by thrombosis or embolism or due to a hemorrhage.[1] As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or inability to see one side of the visual field.[2] A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death. It is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe. It is the number two cause of death worldwide and may soon become the leading cause of death worldwide.[3] Risk factors for stroke include advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and atrial fibrillation.[4] High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.[2] A stroke is occasionally treated with thrombolysis ("clot buster"), but usually with supportive care (speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy) in a "stroke unit" and secondary prevention with antiplatelet drugs (aspirin and often dipyridamole), blood pressure control, statins, and in selected patients with carotid endarterectomy and anticoagulation.[2] The traditional definition of stroke, devised by the World Health Organization in the 1970s,[5] is a "neurological deficit of cerebrovascular cause that persists beyond 24 hours or is interrupted by death within 24 hours". This definition was supposed to reflect the reversibility of tissue damage and was devised for the purpose, with the time frame of 24 hours being chosen arbitrarily. The 24-hour limit divides stroke from transient ischemic attack, which is a related syndrome of stroke symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours.[2] With the availability of treatments that, when given early, can reduce stroke severity, many now prefer alternative concepts, such as brain attack and acute ischemic cerebrovascular syndrome (modeled after heart attack and acute coronary syndrome respectively), that reflect the urgency of stroke symptoms and the need to act swiftly.[6]
|
Stroke Subcategories
Stroke Articles
Fight Type 2 Diabetes with Weight Loss by Kevin Trent
Oct 26, 2009
If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, then your number one thought may be how you can fight the disease and live a healthy life. Well, one of the best ways that you can fight type 2 diabetes and live a long and healthy life is with weight ...
Losing Weight the Healthy Way by David Marshall
Oct 22, 2009
Almost 108 million Americans were overweight or obese in 1999. Until now, obesity continues to be a serious problem and is predicted to reach epidemic levels by the year 2020.
One way to prevent this scenario is to make people aware of the ri...
Natural Treatments For Erectile Dysfunction - Magic Blue Pill Substitutes by John J. Brown
Oct 22, 2009
Viagra, the magic blue pill, took the World by storm: it got the FDA approval in 1998 and since then millions of the magic blue tablets have been sold all over the world. If you take into consideration that almost 10% of men have impotency, t...
Choose Exercise To Improve Your Health by Brent Cullen
Oct 08, 2009
What if by chance, someone walked up to you one day and asked you if you would like to be thinner and be able to live a longer life. What would your answer be? Hopefully the answer would be yes. This almost sounds like it is too good to be t...
How to lose weight and inches from your arms, thighs and stomach without surgery or drugs by Bonnie MeChelle
Oct 04, 2009
Extra fat on your body is just stored up energy called adipose tissue. It cushions and insulates the body, and it’s found beneath the skin and surrounding organs. When you have too much adipose tissue on your body, it contributes to serious Gum Disease-Do You Have the Problems That Lead to Gum Disease? by Muhammad Ali Zafar
Oct 03, 2009
Pinpointing the main gum disease cause, as well as less serious causes, can help you to keep yourself healthy and safe. Ora...
Fish Oil for Blood Pressure? by Laurel Cohen
Oct 02, 2009
Let’s face it. Studies concerning fish oil for blood pressure reduction have been positive, but only modest reductions were noted. Most cases of hypertension are sensitive to sodium. So, it is important to watch your salt intake. That’s what most...
Don't Count the Ways to Lose Weight - Just Find the One For You! by Blaise Iannaci
Oct 01, 2009
Isn't this the Sixty Four Thousand dollar question! I will bet that every man, woman or child has posed this question themselves. I have asked myself this question on numerous occasions. After this question pops into your head, the first thi...
Greenhouses are Therapeutic and Fun by Michelle Torres
Sep 24, 2009
There are many reasons that a person might be interested in greenhouses. Greenhouses can provide hours of relaxing fun and can even be used for therap...
Gum Disease - Do You Have the Problems That Lead to Gum Disease? by muhammad ali zafar
Sep 21, 2009
Pinpointing the main gum disease cause, as well as less serious causes, can help you to keep yourself healthy and safe. Oral health is extremely important. Gum disease has been known to lead to...
|
|