The Medical Definition of a Stroke
It is scary when a doctor says to a patient that he suffered a stroke or heart attack. The word "stroke" creates an uneasiness in the stomachs of patients and patients' families. A stroke is a bad thing, and there is nothing wrong with assuming a stroke is anything but bad. However, for better understanding and dealing with a stroke, it is important for patients to know exactly what a stroke is, including symptoms and what to do if one is occurring.
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Definition
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According to the National Institutes of Health, a stroke is "an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain." When blood does not get to the brain, the brain is also denied oxygen carried by the blood. Another word for a stroke is a "brain attack."
Types
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There are two types of strokes. One is called an ischemic stroke, in which a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a blood clot. An artery may be too narrow and cause a clot to form, called a thrombus. Or a clot from another part of the body may travel up to a smaller artery in the brain; this type of clot is called an embolism. A cerebral embolism results when a clot travels from the heart to the brain. The other type of stroke is called a hemorrhagic stroke. This occurs when a weak blood vessel in the brain breaks and blood leaks into the brain.
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Risks
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Both types of strokes can be prevented by avoiding certain risk factors. Diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol are all factors that can be controlled to possibly avoid developing conditions that could cause a stroke. Because a stroke has to do with blood vessels in the brain, anything to do with blood flow poses a risk factor for stroke. There are other risks that cannot be controlled by patients, however, including family history and age.
Symptoms
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There are specific side effects to look for to classify something as a stroke. For example, a sudden, severe headache while lying down is a possible sign of a stroke. Numbing, tingling and weakness on one side of the body are other signs. Other senses may be altered, such as eyesight, hearing and taste. A person experiencing a stroke may also become less alert, less balanced and have trouble moving.
Warning
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A stroke is considered a medical emergency. Immediate treatment is incredibly important to save the life of someone suffering from a stroke. The effects of a stroke can cause extreme, and possibly permanent, damage within a few hours after occurring, making it imperative to determine the cause and required treatment.
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