Stroke - Types, Causes, Risk Factors, Signs & Symptoms

stroke is defined as a syndrome of Rapid onset neurological deficit caused by focal cerebral spinal or retinal infarction or Hemorrhage it is a serious life-threatening medical condition which happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off like all other organs the brain also needs oxygen and nutrients to maintain its normal functions therefore if the blood supply to the brain is compromised brain cells begin to die based on the ischeology there are two major types of Strokes ischemic stroke which occurs due to blood vessel obstruction accounts for about 85 percent of all the cases of stroke obstruction can occur due to thrombosis or formation of blood clots in the vasculature large artery stenosis and small vessel disease hemorrhagic stroke on the other hand occurs when a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts and subsequently bleeds into the area hemorrhagic Strokes account for around 10 percent of all the cases of stroke common instances where hemorrhagic Strokes can occur include head trauma uncontrolled high blood pressure overdosing of anticoagulant drugs ruptured brain aneurysms and cerebral amyloid angiopathy approximately five percent of Strokes are caused by other diseases like arterial dissection venous sinus thrombosis and vasculitis there is also a related condition called transient ischemic attack or Tia where the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted this causes what is known as a mini stroke it can last a few minutes or persist up to 24 hours transient ischemic attacks are often a warning sign of having a full stroke in near future therefore these patients should be evaluated to prevent such events several factors contribute to an increased risk of stroke including the following obesity physical inactivity alcohol consumption and smoking use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine high blood pressure high blood cholesterol levels uncontrolled diabetes obstructive sleep apnea cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation heart failure and heart defects family history of Strokes increasing age male gender and certain medications such as hormonal birth control pills signs and symptoms of a stroke depends on which part of the brain is affected following are some important signs and symptoms of a stroke speaking difficulties and slurred speech inability to understand what others say also known as inability to comprehend paralysis or numbness of the face arms or legs this often affects just one side of the body in addition one side of the mouth may drop when the patient is trying to smile vision problems such as blurred vision and double vision may also occur moreover many patients experience a sudden severe headache which may be accompanied by vomiting dizziness and altered consciousness