Ischemic stroke – causes, symptoms, treatment

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Ischemic stroke accounts for 80 percent. all strokes. It usually occurs because of severe narrowing or obstruction of a vessel that carries blood to an area of ​​the brain. Stroke is very often fatal. Unfortunately, this is what happened to the outstanding vocalist and instrumentalist Zbigniew Wodecki.

What is a stroke

Stroke is a very serious vascular disease of the brain and accounts for 80% of all strokes. In medicine, stroke is considered to be one of the biggest problems, often leading to death and severe disability of patients over 40 years of age. An ischemic stroke is the ischemia and then necrosis of a certain area of ​​the brain as a result of the narrowing or occlusion of the vessel lumen that supplies blood to the brain. Even the smallest symptoms that indicate a disease should not be ignored, as this can lead to unpleasant consequences. It is important to be able to distinguish between symptoms and to provide first aid as soon as possible, here every second counts.

Stroke – types

Differentiation according to the aspect that caused the brain damage:

ischemic stroke (approximately 80-85%):

1. thromboembolism;
2. embolic
3. hemodynamic.

haemorrhagic strokes (about 10-15%):

1. among them we can distinguish intracerebral hemorrhages.

subarachnoid hemorrhage (about 5%)

Classification of stroke according to the progression of the disease:

1. resolving stroke (RIND), symptoms of which disappear within a few weeks;
2. committing stroke (CS) where symptoms are still felt, only partially decreasing;
3. progressive stroke (PS), which occurs suddenly and is characterized by gradual worsening of symptoms;

Stroke – causes

There are many different causes for a stroke, but they all have to do with problems with the flow of blood around the body. These disorders cause embolism, blood clot, drop in blood pressure, leading to reduced blood circulation in certain areas of the brain.

We divide the causes of stroke into modifiable and non-modifiable.

Modifiable reasons: People with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease are at greater risk of developing ischemic stroke. People with high cholesterol are at a similar risk. Obesity, lack of physical activity, a diet rich in fat, alcoholism and smoking also have an impact on health. Subsequently, general vascular diseases, gout and sleep apnea should be considered. Patients who have problems with bleeding disorders and have had a stroke in the past are at risk of having a stroke. The use of cocaine, amphetamines and gout are also causes of the disease.

Non-modifiable reasons: People who have had a stroke or have a family member who have had a stroke are also at risk. Genetic conditions that largely affect the occurrence of the disease are important. The causes include age (the highest risk from the age of 55), skin color (yellow and black) and gender: male.

Stroke – symptoms

It happens that the symptoms of a stroke last only a day and disappear spontaneously. This condition is called a transient ischemic attack. Unfortunately, these attacks can happen several times in a lifetime and lead to a stroke. In the event of a transient attack, see a physician who should administer a medication to reduce the risk of the incident repeating itself. It happens that a stroke does not make itself known in any way, it can catch us at any time, although most often it attacks during the night.

The symptoms of a stroke vary depending on where the source of the damaged brain tissue is. At the beginning, the patient experiences quite severe headache and nausea, vomiting often occurs, followed by loss of consciousness, and even coma. A stroke is manifested by:

1. partial paralysis,
2. drooping of the corner of the mouth on the side that has been affected,
3. meningeal symptoms such as a stiff neck.

Minor haemorrhagic strokes are characterized by little mental disturbance. The symptoms are distinguished according to the location of the hemorrhage:

1. parietal lobe: there are sensory disturbances and pain in the parietal-temporal area,
2. frontal lobe: there is a hemiparesis that covers the side opposite to the side of the stroke, the patient also feels pain in the forehead,
3. occipital lobe: manifested by eye pain (on the side affected by the stroke) and partial paresis,
4. temporal lobe: pain in the temporal area and quadrant amblyopia.

A stroke can also manifest itself as:

1. amnesia,
2. epilepsy,
3. mummy,
4. delusions,
5. aphasia,
6. sensory disturbances,
7. speech disorders,
8. reading impairment,
9. ignorance.

Ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke is a group of symptoms that occurs for at least 24 hours when the way blood flows to the brain is blocked. This can be caused, for example, by atherosclerotic lesions that are located in the walls of the cerebral vessels. Treatment for this type of stroke is similar to that for other types of stroke. Doctors monitor the patient’s health, constantly balancing the water, electrolyte and carbohydrate balance. The use of drugs (including anticonvulsants and anti-edema), constant blood pressure monitoring and the prevention of blood clots are essential in the treatment.

Stroke diagnosis

Doctors carry out numerous diagnostic tests to distinguish a stroke from a hemorrhagic stroke and to determine its causes. So what is the research used in stroke and ischemic attacks?

1. CT – computed tomography: this is one of the basic tests recommended in the diagnosis of strokes. Doctors are able to distinguish the type of stroke, as soon as the patient is brought to the hospital. Thanks to CT, it can be confirmed that a stroke occurs, but it cannot be ruled out that it did not happen.

2. Magnetic resonance imaging: a more expensive and difficult to access examination. It helps to locate stroke lesions after a few hours, although this examination is performed less frequently, it is most important in some situations: sinus stroke, posterior fossa ischemic encephalopathy or suspected Binswanger atherosclerotic encephalopathy.

3. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI): these are two studies that reveal ischemic changes fairly early.

4. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography: a non-invasive test that shows the blood flow in the intracranial vessels.

5. Cardiological examinations.

6. Examination of arterial blood saturation.

7. Blood morphology and ESR.

8. Vascular imaging.

9. ECG (holter).

10. Pressure recorder (24 hours).

11. Electroencephalography.

12. Electrocardiography.

13. Echocardiography.

14. Coagulation system.

15. Acute phase proteins.

Stroke – treatment

The proper functioning of human nerve cells depends, among others, on from regular access to oxygen – they die just a few minutes after its interruption. That is why it is impossible to recreate them. Treatment of a stroke is therefore based on ensuring the best possible conditions for cerebral circulation in the vicinity of the necrosis area. Acetylsalicylic acid is used to treat stroke and its consequences.

It is important to remember about the care and rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke. It is important to avoid pressure ulcers and pneumonia, which can be prevented through frequent repositioning, patting the chest and breathing gymnastics. Rehabilitation of left hemispheric stroke patients should also include speech. Appropriate exercises with a speech therapist prepared for this will allow for a much faster and more complete return of the ability to communicate through speech.

The final result of stroke treatment, that is, the degree of residual paresis, speech disorders and other functions, depends on many factors that are very difficult to assess in the early stages of a stroke. Full or significant improvement is more likely if the patient has no previous brain damage, both focal (previous stroke, also without clinical symptoms) and generalized (hypertension, diabetes, heart failure). The prognosis, which determines the intensity of the rehabilitation procedure, should be determined very carefully and individually by an experienced physician.

Monitor your health on an ongoing basis and do not ignore any disturbing symptoms. Make an e-appointment with a specialist now – without leaving your home, on a date chosen by you. Register for an appointment online and receive e-Prescription, e-Release and e-Referral.

Stroke – prevention

How can I prevent strokes? Control the factors that increase their risk – take regular blood pressure measurements, the progress of diabetes, follow a proper diet and practice a healthy lifestyle. The patient’s duties also include monitoring the course of atherosclerosis. This applies primarily to ischemic strokes. In primary prevention, it is important to carefully look at the diseases that can affect a stroke.

In this regard, diagnostic tests turn out to be important, including heart rate control, which can protect not only against stroke, but also atherosclerosis.

Start with anticoagulation treatment for heart disease, diabetes and even prediabetes. You smoke? Forget about them. Bet on a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.

It is thanks to such habits and professional care in the early stage of stroke that mortality among patients is reduced.

Folic acid also reduces the risk of stroke, so its deficiency should be avoided. Medonet Market offers the dietary supplement Folian 400 mcg with a well-absorbed form of folic acid.