The attacks or strokes are the third leading cause of death only in the United States, and are a leading cause of serious long – term disability in adults.
Each year there are approximately 600,000 cases of stroke in the United States. Fortunately, there are treatments that can greatly reduce the damage caused; however, it is important to identify the symptoms and go quickly to the hospital. If you can get to the hospital within the first 60 minutes, you can prevent disability.
What is a seizure or stroke?
A stroke or stroke, clinically called a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is disturbed. When a stroke occurs, an area of the brain begins to die because it stops receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function.
To better understand this accident, we have to know the two main classes of strokes :
Ischemic stroke
Ischemic stroke is caused by a clot that blocks or clogs a blood vessel in the brain. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic.
Hemorrhagic stroke (stroke)
It is caused by the rupture and bleeding of a blood vessel in the brain. About 20% of all strokes are hemorrhagic.
What Kind of Disability Can Seizures or Strokes Cause?
Although strokes are a disease of the brain, they can affect the entire body . The effects of a stroke can range from mild to severe, and can include paralysis, problems with reasoning, speech, vision problems, and problems with motor coordination. Patients may also feel pain and numbness after a stroke.
Know the signs of a stroke
You cannot tell that you are having a stroke because it affects the brain. To a bystander, someone having a stroke may seem simply distracted or confused. Victims of these attacks may be less affected if someone around them recognizes the symptoms and acts quickly.
Symptoms of Stroke
Stroke symptoms are clear and come on suddenly. Call 911 if you or someone around you is experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache, with no known cause
Call the ambulance immediately
A stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. The longer the interruption of blood flow to the brain lasts, the greater the damage. Immediate care can save a person’s life and increase their chances of a successful recovery. If you think someone is having a stroke, if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or to move the arm or leg on one side of the body, or experiences paralysis on one side of the face, call the emergency room immediately.
Why is it necessary to act quickly?
The most common type of stroke can be treated with a drug that dissolves clots that block blood flow to the brain. The maximum time frame for stroke patients to begin treatment is three hours. But in order for them to be evaluated and treated, patients need to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
What can I do to prevent a stroke?
The best treatment for strokes is prevention. There are several risk factors that increase your chance of having a stroke:
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- To smoke
If you smoke, stop smoking. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, getting them under control and continuing to control them will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.