STROKE

 

What is a stroke?

A stroke is an illness in which part of the brain is suddenly severely damaged or destroyed. The result is loss of function of the affected part of the brain. It usually causes weakness, paralysis of the arm and leg on either the left or right side of the body, twisting of the face, and in some cases other effects which may include loss of balance, disturbance of vision, disturbance of speech, loss of control of the bladder and bowels, and difficulty in swallowing. In very severe cases, there is loss of consciousness or confusion of thought. The damage in the brain is caused by a blood clot or haemorrhage. If the clot is very big or if it affects a vital part of the brain, the patient may die. In less severe cases partial or complete recovery occurs.

What is a transient ischaemic attack?

A transient ischaemic attack or TIA is very like a stroke except that it passes quickly; the symptoms of weakness of one side of the body, tingling and twisting of the mouth or loss of speech or disturbance of vision last only for a few minutes and then disappear. TIAs occur because, for a short time, not enough blood reaches part of the brain. They can be treated and anyone who experiences a TIA should see their doctor immediately.

What causes a stroke?

Most strokes occur in the second half of life and are caused by damage to the blood vessels – and sometimes to the heart – which has been building up slowly for many years. The actual stroke takes place either when a blood clot forms in a damaged vessel and blocks the flow of blood to part of the brain; or when a damaged blood vessel in the brain bursts and blood pours from it into brain itself.

In at least half of all strokes the reason why the blood vessels becomes damaged in the first place is because they have been exposed to high blood pressure. If in addition the patient smokes, drinks heavily, is overweight, takes too much salt in their diet, or has heart disease or diabetes the risk of stroke is increased. A number of other factors are suspected, but there is no single cause of stroke.

Anyone can suffer a stroke at any time, although the risk can be substantially reduced by a healthy life style, including the avoidance of smoking, and especially by having the blood pressure checked and, if it is too high, ensuring that it is kept under control by treatment.

Is a stroke due to overwork or stress?

No, Almost everyone who has ever had a stroke could be said to have been under stress or to have been overworking at some time before the onset of the stroke. So could almost anyone who has not had a stroke. It is natural to think of stroke and stress as being related, but this is not so, and indeed many strokes occur during sleep. However, there is a relationship between stress and high blood pressure. It is almost impossible to take the stress out of life, but it is possible to reduce high blood pressure.