5 Critical Facts About Stroke You Should Know

Stroke is not uncommon among many Americans. However, many people do not understand the condition and only live anxiously. This is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to your brain becomes blocked or reduced. The condition is considered a medical emergency that should be attended to immediately if it is experienced as it increases your chances of recovery. Experts such as Sabri Malek, MD, who manages stroke in Pasadena, can help you better understand the condition. This is to help you know when to seek medical assistance before it is too late.

1. What it Means to Have a Stroke

A stroke is sometimes referred to as a brain attack, and as mentioned earlier, it involves blood flow blockage in some parts of your brain. It can also occur when a blood vessel in your brain bursts which can cause a part of your brain to be damaged or blocked. As a result, you can experience a long-term disability, lasting brain damage, or even death in severe cases.

2. There are Two Types of Stroke

To understand stroke, you have to understand the anatomy of the brain. It is the brain that controls all functions of your body and is also responsible for memory storage and movement control. To achieve this, the brain needs oxygen. Despite it making only 2 % of your body, it uses 20% of the oxygen you take in. Therefore, if the arteries fail to deliver the oxygen to the brain sufficiently, a stroke can occur.

You can experience an ischemic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke. When a blood clot occurs, or your blood vessels are blocked by some other particles or a buildup of fatty deposits, you suffer from ischemic stroke. On the other hand, when your blood vessel on your brain bursts, blood can build up, destroying the neighboring brain tissues. In this case, you are suffering from a hemorrhagic stroke.

3. Sudden Severe Headache Can Be a Sign of Stroke

Although you can experience a sudden headache due to an injury or other complications, it can also be a stroke sign, particularly if you do not know the cause. Also, during a stroke, every minute counts; thus, it is good to understand such symptoms to help you take quick action. Other symptoms include:

• Sudden confusion, difficulty understanding speech, and trouble speaking.

• Sudden weakness or numbness in the arms, legs, or face, particularly on one side

• Sudden vision complication

• Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, lack of coordination, and loss of balance

4. Medicine, Surgery, and Other Procedures Can Help

If you experience a sudden headache without a traceable cause, it is good to get to the hospital as soon as possible or within three hours of your first symptoms. Your provider will ask you about your medical history and when your symptoms began to design a treatment plan for you. The treatment plan may include medications, surgical interventions, and other alternatives such as endovascular procedures.

5. Stroke Rehabilitation is Necessary

If you get a stroke, you are more likely to experience another stroke. According to research, one out of four survivors experience another stroke within five years. That is why it is essential to collaborate with your provider to manage the condition, as some lifestyle changes can help reduce such risks. Besides, rehabilitation can be critical to help you with your recovery.

Explore more about stroke by reaching out to Hospice and Palliative Care of California. Remember that the faster you act, the better.