A brain Damage, or stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Because most strokes do not cause severe pain, patients often delay seeking treatment, resulting in extensive damage to brain tissue.
It is very important that we know what are the symptoms of a stroke.
Symptoms of a stroke depend on the type and what area of the brain that is effected.
The signs of ischemic stroke usually occur suddenly, and signs of hemorrhagic stroke usually develop gradually.
Symptoms include: * Difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia) * Difficulty walking * Dizziness or lightheadedness (dizziness) * Numbness, weakness or paralysis, usually on one side of the body, * Seizures (relatively rare) * Severe headache with no known cause * Sudden confusion * Sudden decrease in level of consciousness * The sudden loss of balance or coordination * Sudden vision problems (eg, blurred vision, blindness in one eye) * Vomiting In transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), one or more symptoms occur suddenly, last a few minutes, and then disappear.
These "mini strokes" required immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of damage to brain tissue and to assess the risk of stroke.
The following steps can help prevent stroke: * Do not smoke.
* Exercise regularly.
* Limit salt intake, alcohol and saturated fats.
* Maintain body weight within the ideal range.
* Use air bags, seat belts and child safety seats in cars.
* Wear protective helmets when participating in contact sports, horseback riding or biking.
People with hypertension or diabetes may reduce the risk of stroke by monitoring their condition through proper medication and lifestyle changes appropriate (for example, regular exercise, weight loss).
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States.
Prompt medical treatment reduces the risk of irreversible complications and permanent disability.
Complications may result from ischemic cascade or develop as a result of the patient becoming immobile or bed.
Complications that can occur within 72 hours of stroke are: * Brain swelling (edema) * Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) * Intracerebral hemorrhage * Convulsions Paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis) and speech problems can occur as a result of the ischemic cascade.
The complications that may develop gradually as a result of immobility caused by stroke are: * Bedsores * Blood clots * Fibrosis of connective tissue resulting in decreased mobility * Malnutrition * Pneumonia * Urinary tract infections (UTI, if required a catheter) Over 30% of stroke patients need help with daily living and approximately 15% require care in an assisted living facility (eg, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers).
Approximately 20% of stroke patients require walking aids (eg cane, walker) and 33% suffer from depression.
Treatment usually involves stroke rehabilitation.
That is why is is very important that we know what are the symptoms of a stroke to avoid such complications that can lead to death if untreated.