Definition of Stroke
Stroke is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced due to a blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Without a blood supply, the brain will not get oxygen and nutrients, so cells in some areas of the brain will die. This condition causes parts of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain to not function properly.
Stroke is an emergency condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible, because brain cells can die in just a matter of minutes. Prompt and appropriate treatment measures can minimize the level of brain damage and prevent possible complications.
Causes of Stroke
Based on the cause, stroke is divided into two types, namely:
Ischemic stroke
Occurs when the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the brain become narrowed, resulting in reduced blood flow to the brain. This condition is also known as ischemia. Ischemic stroke can be further divided into 2 types, thrombotic stroke and embolic stroke.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts causing bleeding. Bleeding in the brain can be triggered by several conditions that affect the blood vessels. For example, uncontrolled hypertension, weak blood vessel walls, and being treated with blood thinners. Hemorrhagic stroke is further divided into two types, namely intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Risk Factors for Stroke
There are three factors that increase a person's risk of having a stroke, namely health factors, lifestyle, and other factors. In addition to stroke, various factors are also at risk of increasing the risk of heart attack.
The health risk factors include:
- Hypertension.
- Diabetes.
- High cholesterol.
- Obesity.
- Heart disease, such as heart failure, congenital heart disease, heart infection, or arrhythmias.
- Sleep apnea.
- Have had a previous transient ischemic attack TIA or heart attack.
Meanwhile, the lifestyle risk factors include:
- Smoke.
- Lack of exercise or physical activity.
- Consumption of illegal drugs.
- Alcohol addiction.
Meanwhile, some conditions that are included in other risk factors are:
heredity factor. A person with a family member who has had a stroke has a higher risk of developing the same disease.
Age factor. The older the person, the risk of having a stroke is also higher than the younger person.
Symptoms of Stroke
Each part of the brain is in charge of controlling a different part of the body, so the symptoms of a stroke depend on the part of the brain that is affected and the extent of the damage. That is why, the symptoms of a stroke can vary in each sufferer. However, usually a stroke occurs suddenly. At least, there are three main symptoms of stroke that are easy to recognize, namely:
One side of the face will look lower and the sufferer is unable to smile because the mouth or eyes look drooping.
Patients are unable to lift one arm because they feel weak or numb. Not only the arms, the legs that are on the same side as the arms also experience weakness.
Speech becomes slurred, garbled, or even unable to speak at all even though the sufferer looks conscious.
Meanwhile, other symptoms and signs of stroke are:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Severe headache that comes on suddenly, accompanied by stiffness in the neck and dizziness like spinning (vertigo).
- Have decreased consciousness.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) resulting in choking.
- Have problems with balance and coordination.
- Experiencing sudden loss of vision or double vision.
Stroke Disease Diagnosis
In order to determine the right type of treatment for people with stroke, the doctor will first evaluate the type of stroke and the area of the brain that has had a stroke. As an initial step in the diagnosis, the doctor will ask the patient or his family members about several things, including:
- Symptoms experienced, the onset of symptoms, and what the sufferer was doing when the symptoms appeared.
- Types of drugs being consumed.
- Has the patient ever had a head injury?
- Checking the medical history of the patient and family related to heart disease, minor stroke (TIA), and stroke.
Next, the doctor will perform an overall physical examination of the patient. Usually, the examination begins by checking blood pressure, heart rate, and abnormal sounds in the veins of the neck using a stethoscope.
Then, the doctor will also recommend carrying out supporting examinations such as:
Blood test
This test is done to check the presence or absence of infection, blood sugar levels, risk of blood clots, and determine the balance of electrolytes in the blood.
CT scan
To know the condition of the brain in more detail. In addition, CT scans also help doctors determine whether or not there is a tumor or bleeding in the brain.
MRI
This examination is done to find out a more detailed picture of the sufferer's brain. This test can also help doctors find tissue in the brain that has been damaged by bleeding or ischemic stroke.
Electrocardiography
An examination performed to determine the electrical activity of the heart. This test can help doctors find heart rate abnormalities, any indications of coronary heart disease that can occur with stroke.
Echocardiography
The examination is carried out to detect the source of the clot in the heart as well as to check the function of the heart pump. This is because the clot can move from the heart's blood vessels to the part of the brain that triggers a stroke.
Carotid Doppler ultrasound
The examination is done by using sound waves to produce a more detailed picture of the blood flow in the carotid arteries in the neck. The goal is to detect the presence of plaque or fat accumulation and conditions in the bloodstream.
Stroke Treatment
Specific treatment given to people with stroke depends on the type of stroke they experience, whether it leads to ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke.
Ischemic stroke treatment
Initial treatment will focus on maintaining the airway, controlling blood pressure, and restoring blood flow.
Hemorrhagic stroke treatment
While in cases of hemorrhagic stroke, initial treatment aims to reduce pressure on the brain and control bleeding. There are several forms of treatment, including the consumption of drugs and surgery.
TIA Treatment
TIA treatment aims to reduce risk factors that can trigger strokes, so that heart disease can be prevented. In some cases, a carotid endarterectomy is required if there is a buildup of fat in the carotid arteries.
Stroke Complications
Stroke can cause a variety of complications, most of which are fatal. Several types of complications that may arise include:
Deep vein thrombosis.
Some people with stroke will experience blood clots in the legs that lead to paralysis. This condition known as deep vein thrombosis occurs due to the cessation of leg muscle movement, so that the flow of the leg veins is disrupted. This increases the risk of blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis can be treated with anticoagulant drugs.
Hydrocephalus
Some people with hemorrhagic stroke can experience hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of fluid in deep cavities in the brain (ventricles). The neurosurgeon will insert a tube into the brain to remove the accumulated fluid.
Swallowing problems (dysphagia)
The damage caused by a stroke can impair the swallowing reflex or dysphagia. As a result, food and drinks are at risk of entering the respiratory tract. Without treatment, dysphagia can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Stroke Prevention
The main way to prevent stroke is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. In addition, identify and avoid the existing risk factors and follow the doctor's advice. Various stroke prevention measures, including:
Keep the diet
Eating too many salty and fatty foods can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood and the risk of hypertension that triggers a stroke. Avoid excessive salt consumption. Furthermore, the recommended foods are foods that are rich in unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins, and fiber. All these nutrients can be obtained from vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and low-fat meats such as skinless chicken breast.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can make the heart and circulatory system work more efficiently. Exercise can also lower cholesterol levels and keep weight and blood pressure at healthy levels.
Quit smoking
Smokers are twice as likely to have a stroke. Because smoking can narrow blood vessels and make blood clot easily. Not smoking means helping reduce the risk of various other health problems, such as lung and heart disease.
Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages
Liquor is high in calories. If consumed in excess, a person is susceptible to various stroke-triggering diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause an irregular heartbeat.
Avoid using NAPZA
Some types of Narcotics, Psychotropics and Addictive Substances (Drugs) can cause narrowing of the arteries and reduce blood flow.
