What Is Stroke?

A stroke is a brain injury, the effects of the injury depend on what part of the brain is affected. Every stroke is unique and everyone is affected in different ways. A stroke causes brain cells to be damaged or to die. Dead brian cells are unable to recover however brain cells just outside the area may recover as stroke swelling diminishes.

Other parts of the brain can learn to take over areas that have died. Most recovery from a stroke happens within the first few months but people can continue to recover for several years afterwards.

Symptoms can be mild and short lasting or severe with lasting damage.

 WHAT IS A STROKE, HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?

two types of stroke

A stroke is a brain attack.

It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Blood flow to the brain can be cut off in two ways. A blockage or a bleed.

Blood flowing to the brain is responsible for delivering essential nutrients and oxegen to the brain, without it brain cells can be damaged or destroyed. The brain is responsible for everything the body does, so damage to it will affect body functions.

TWO MAIN CAUSES OF STROKE 

CAUSE 1: A BLOCKAGE

This type of stroke is responsible for 80% of all strokes.

A stroke caused by a blockage is called an ischaemic stroke

A blockage can be caused by a clot blocking an artery, stopping blood flowing to the brain.

Clots can form in three main areas

  • Main artery of the brain

When a blood clot forms here we call this a cerebral thrombosis

  • Blood vessel somewhere else in the body

A blood clot, air bubble or fat globule can form in a blood vessel somewhere in the body which is then carried in the bloodstream to the brain.

When this occurs we call this a cerebral embolism

  •  Blood Vessels within the brain

When a blockage forms here deep within the brain, this is called a lacunar stroke.

CAUSE 2: A BLEED

This type of stroke is responsible for 20% of all strokes.

A stroke caused by a bleed is called a haemorrhagic stroke.

A stroke caused by a bleed occurs when a blood vessel bursts causing bleeding in the brain

Blood vessels can burst in two main areas

  • Within the brain

When a blood vessel bursts within the brain we call this an intracerebral haemorrhage

  • On the surface of the brain

When a blood vessel on the surface of the brain bleeds into the area between the brain and the skull. We call this a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

A stroke can target different parts of the brain. If a stroke affects the part of the brain responsible for controlling how our limbs move, limb movement will be affected. The brain controls how we feel, how we think, learn and communicate. A stroke can affect all these processes.

Strokes are sudden and effects immediate

Strokes can cause the brain tissue to die and this is called cerebral infarction. An infarct is an area of dead tissue.

TRANSIENT ISCHAEMIC ATTACK (MINI STROKE)

                                                               TIA image

A transient ischaemic attack (often referred to as a TIA or mini stroke) occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted for a very brief period of time. The affected area of the brain is starved of oxegen for just a few minutes.

The symptoms are similar to a stroke but the effects are temporary. they can last anything from a few minutes to several hours but will completley dissapear within 24 hours.

A TIA IS A SIGN THAT PART OF THE BRAIN IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH BLOOD WHICH INDICTAES A RISK OF A MORE SERIOUS STROKE IN THE FUTURE. DO NOT IGNORE SIGNS OF A TIA, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

 

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