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Stroke:
Q: What is a Stroke?
A: A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain.
Q: What are the symptoms of a stroke?
A: The symptoms of a stroke depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases a person may not be aware that he or she has had a stroke. When symptoms occur they usually develop suddenly and without warning. Symptoms include: Change in alertness, coma, lethargy, sleepiness, stupor, unconsciousness, withdrawn, difficulty speaking and understanding others, difficulty swallowing, difficulty writing and reading, headache-occurs when you are lying flat, wakes you up from your sleep, gets worse when you change positions, or starts suddenly, loss of coordination, loss of balance, movement changes, difficulty moving any body part, loss of motor skills, nausea or vomiting, seizure, sensation changes, decreased sensation, numbness or tingling, sudden confusion, weakness of any body part, vision changes, decreased vision, and loss of all or part of vision.
Q: What treatment does someone need when a stroke occurs?
A: A stroke is a medical emergency; immediate treatment can save lives and reduce disability. It is important to get the person to the emergency room immediately.
Q: Why does a stroke happen?
A: About every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. A stroke can happen when the following occurs: A blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. That is called an ischemic stroke. Or a stroke can happen when a blood vessel breaks open, causing blood to leak into the brain. That is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Q: What causes strokes?
A: The number one cause of a stroke is high blood pressure, as well as, diabetes, family history of stroke, heart disease, high cholesterol, and increasing age. Certain medications make blood clots more likely and therefore your chances for a stroke. Birth control pills can increase chances of blood clots, especially in women who smoke or who are over the age of 35. Men have more strokes than women, but women have a risk of stroke during pregnancy and the weeks immediately after pregnancy. Other factors that can increase your risk of a stroke are: alcohol use, bleeding disorders, cocaine use, and head injuries.
Q: How do I prevent a stroke?
A: To help prevent a stroke you should avoid fatty foods- follow a healthy, low fat diet, do not drink more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks a day, exercise regularly, Get your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years- especially if high blood pressure runs in your family, have your cholesterol checked, follow your doctors recommendations if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and quit smoking.
Q: What is a Stroke?
A: A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain.
Q: What are the symptoms of a stroke?
A: The symptoms of a stroke depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases a person may not be aware that he or she has had a stroke. When symptoms occur they usually develop suddenly and without warning. Symptoms include: Change in alertness, coma, lethargy, sleepiness, stupor, unconsciousness, withdrawn, difficulty speaking and understanding others, difficulty swallowing, difficulty writing and reading, headache-occurs when you are lying flat, wakes you up from your sleep, gets worse when you change positions, or starts suddenly, loss of coordination, loss of balance, movement changes, difficulty moving any body part, loss of motor skills, nausea or vomiting, seizure, sensation changes, decreased sensation, numbness or tingling, sudden confusion, weakness of any body part, vision changes, decreased vision, and loss of all or part of vision.
Q: What treatment does someone need when a stroke occurs?
A: A stroke is a medical emergency; immediate treatment can save lives and reduce disability. It is important to get the person to the emergency room immediately.
Q: Why does a stroke happen?
A: About every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. A stroke can happen when the following occurs: A blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. That is called an ischemic stroke. Or a stroke can happen when a blood vessel breaks open, causing blood to leak into the brain. That is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Q: What causes strokes?
A: The number one cause of a stroke is high blood pressure, as well as, diabetes, family history of stroke, heart disease, high cholesterol, and increasing age. Certain medications make blood clots more likely and therefore your chances for a stroke. Birth control pills can increase chances of blood clots, especially in women who smoke or who are over the age of 35. Men have more strokes than women, but women have a risk of stroke during pregnancy and the weeks immediately after pregnancy. Other factors that can increase your risk of a stroke are: alcohol use, bleeding disorders, cocaine use, and head injuries.
Q: How do I prevent a stroke?
A: To help prevent a stroke you should avoid fatty foods- follow a healthy, low fat diet, do not drink more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks a day, exercise regularly, Get your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years- especially if high blood pressure runs in your family, have your cholesterol checked, follow your doctors recommendations if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and quit smoking.