Stroke - the third leading cause of death in developing countries

Functional disorders of the focal and global brain. Stroke occurs acutely, lasts more than 24 hours.

Derived from brain blood disorders, including:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage,

Intracerebri hemorrhage,

Ischemic / cerebral infarction.

Stroke is a condition that occurs when blood supply to the brain is disrupted or reduced due to a blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture of blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke). Without blood, the brain will not get oxygen and nutrition, so cells in some areas of the brain will die.

When a part of the brain dies, the part of the body that is controlled by a damaged area of ​​the brain cannot function properly. A stroke is a medical emergency because brain cells can die in just minutes. Rapid treatment can minimize brain damage and the possibility of complications.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer in developing countries

There are 2 types of strokes

• Stroke bleeding (30%):

·         Intracerebral

·         subarachnoid

• Non-bleeding stroke (70%):

·         Cerebral thrombosis (60%)

·         Cerebral embolism

Stroke Risk Factors

There are several factors that increase the risk of stroke. In addition to stroke, this risk factor can also increase the risk of heart attack. These factors include:

Health factors, which include:

• Hypertension.
• Diabetes.
• High cholesterol.
• Obesity.
• Heart disease, such as heart failure, congenital heart disease, heart infections, or arrhythmias.
• Sleep apnea.
• Have had a TIA or heart attack before.

Lifestyle factors, which include:

• Smoke.
• Lack of exercise or physical activity.
• Use of illegal drugs.
• Alcohol addiction.

Other factors:

• Heredity. People who have family members who have had a stroke are at high risk of experiencing the same disease.
• As we get older, a person has a higher risk of stroke than younger people.

Symptoms of stroke

Symptoms of stroke can be different in each sufferer, but the most common symptoms are:

• Legs are numb
• Talk became chaotic
• The face looks down

Some other symptoms and signs of stroke, namely:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Severe headaches that come suddenly, accompanied by stiffness in the neck and spinning dizziness (vertigo).
• Loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), resulting in choking.
• Disturbances in balance and coordination.
• Sudden loss of vision or double vision.

The causes of strokes vary greatly, ranging from blood clots to blood vessels in the brain, high blood pressure, to the influence of blood-thinning drugs.

Stroke is very risky for sufferers of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, and diabetes. The same risk can also occur in people who lack exercise, and have the habit of consuming alcohol and smoking.

Stroke complications

Stroke can cause various kinds of complications, and most of these complications are fatal. Some types of complications that may arise, including:

Deep vein thrombosis. Some people will experience blood clots in the limbs that experience paralysis. This condition is known as deep vein thrombosis. This condition occurs due to the cessation of leg muscle movement, so that the flow in the leg veins is interrupted. It increases the risk for blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis can be treated with anticoagulant drugs.

Some people with hemorrhagic stroke can experience hydrocephalus, which is the accumulation of brain fluid in a cavity deep in the brain (ventricles). The neurosurgeon will install a tube into the brain to remove the fluid that has accumulated.

Damage caused by a stroke can disrupt the swallowing reflex, resulting in the risk of food and drinks entering the respiratory tract. The problem with swallowing is known as dysphagia. Dysphagia can cause aspiration pneumonia.

Stroke Treatment

Specific treatment given to people with stroke depends on the type of stroke they experienced, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke.

Treatment of ischemic stroke.

Early treatment will focus on maintaining the airway, controlling blood pressure, and restoring blood flow.

Treatment of hemorrhagic stroke.

In cases of hemorrhagic stroke, initial treatment aims to reduce pressure on the brain and control bleeding. There are several forms of treatment for hemorrhagic stroke, including taking drugs and surgery.

Treatment of TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack).

TIA treatment aims to reduce risk factors that can trigger a stroke, so that heart disease can be prevented. Medicines will be given by doctors to overcome them. In some cases, carotid endarterectomy surgical procedures are needed if there is a buildup of fat in the carotid artery.

Stroke Prevention

The main way to prevent stroke is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. In addition, recognize and avoid existing risk factors, and follow the doctor's advice. Various stroke prevention measures, including:

• Keep the diet. Too much eating salty and fatty foods can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood and the risk of causing hypertension that can trigger a stroke. Avoid excessive salt consumption. The ideal salt consumption is 6 grams or one teaspoon per day. The recommended foods are foods that are rich in unsaturated fats, proteins, vitamins, and fiber. All these nutrients can be obtained from vegetables, fruits, 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 reduce cholesterol levels and maintain body 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 also means reducing the risk of various other health problems, such as lung and heart disease.
• Avoid consumption of alcoholic drinks. High alcoholic drinks. If consumed in excess, a person is susceptible to various diseases that trigger stroke, such as diabetes and hypertension. Consumption of excessive alcoholic drinks can also make an irregular heartbeat.
• Avoid using drugs. Several types of drugs can cause narrowing of the arteries and reduce blood flow.

If you encounter the symptoms above. then immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment and not too late.

For that, take care of yourself, protect the condition. try to stay healthy for a better future. because a healthy body will support you to do all activities

Subscribe to receive free email updates: