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Stroke
Stroke is a
sudden and severe
event in which blood is blocked and
prevented
from getting to a part of the brain, resulting in
damage to that brain
area.
When the symptoms from a stroke last for 24 hours or
less, followed by
full
recovery of lost functions, the episode is called a
transient ischemic
attack
(TIA).
Symptoms
Symptoms
of
stroke
can develop immediately or over several days. They
include loss and/or
impairment
of movement, sensation, and specific functions
controlled by the part
of
the brain that is damaged, such as loss or slurring
of speech if it is
the
speech center of the brain that is damaged. Other
symptoms include
headaches,
dizziness, confusion, difficulty swallowing, and
visual problems. About
one-third of all cases of stroke are fatal, another
third results in
partial
loss of function, and one-third of stroke victims
completely recover.
Many
people who become paralyzed by a stroke are able to
learn to walk again.
However,
loss of intellectual functioning tends to not
recover as well. TIAs
usually
last only several minutes and are warning signals.
Causes
Stroke
is the
most
common cause of neurological damage in the
industrialized world. The
most
common causes of stroke are arteriosclerosis
(thickening of the lining of
arteries),
high blood pressure (hypertension), or both. Other
risk factors include
old
age, smoking, a recent heart attack, elevated blood
fats, diabetes,
blood
platelet stickiness associated with raised levels of
red cells,
deficiencies
of nutrients that prevent stickiness such as vitamin
B6, irregular
heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), oral contraceptives
in women under 50 years
of
age, and history of a damaged heart valve. To
protect yourself against
stroke,
screen for and address each of these conditions
before it is too late.
Important:
Stroke
patients who receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy
within the
first six hours of a stroke often significantly
improve soon
afterward.
In addition, even stroke that has occurred years in
the past can
respond
if properly treated. The cells that are damaged by
stroke are in some
cases
not dead, simply dormant.
Caution:
Stroke requires
immediate medical attention. If you or your loved
one suffers a stroke, get to a hospital immediately.
Treatment
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