Stricken by a stroke

A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is disrupted either due to a clot that blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain (ischemic stroke) or because of a rupture in the wall of such an artery (haemorrhagic stroke). An ischemic stroke can be thrombotic and embolic. 

Simply put, a thrombotic stroke occurs when a clot develops in an artery supplying blood to the brain and an embolic stroke occurs when a clot travels along such an artery and then gets stuck, disrupting regular blood flow to the brain. High blood pressure and aneurysms usually cause haemorrhagic strokes.

Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and/or diabetes, those who smoke, and those with certain genetic problems such as cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) are at a greater risk of having a stroke. 

Numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body, slurred speech and double or blurry vision are common symptoms. Women might also experience sudden pain in the face or limbs, sudden hiccups or nausea, a general feeling of weakness or tiredness, a sudden pain in the chest or racing heartbeats, and sudden shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. 

If you have experienced a sudden episode of blurred or double vision, difficulty in speech, weakness or numbness of limbs that faded in 15 minutes or less, you may well have had a mini-stroke or what the doctors call a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which caused a short period of disruption in blood supply to the brain. This could be a warning that you might have a stroke in the future.

It is important to act quickly when someone has a stroke. Four and a half hours is popularly considered the golden period: the chances of optimal recovery are greatest if the patient is treated within three hours of the attack. 

To treat a stroke, doctors might administer a drug to dissolve the clot or blood thinners to try and ease the blockage. In the case of a haemorrhagic stroke, doctors might consider surgery to treat bleeding in the brain.

Once the patient is out of danger, rehabilitation has to be considered. In addition to appropriate medication, doctors might recommend speech, occupational and physical therapy. Diet changes and strengthening exercises might be advised. It is important to follow the doctor’s advice to prevent another stroke. 

Even with timely medical care, some patients find that after a stroke, their movements have slowed, their emotions and perceptions have changed, they have trouble concentrating or remembering, and their gait or speech has altered. A stroke is life-changing, but can be prevented in many cases. 

Prevention takes the form of keeping your blood pressure under control, stopping smoking, moderating your alcohol consumption, lowering your bad cholesterol and keeping your blood sugar level within normal limits. 

Other preventive measures include regular exercise and a healthy diet. Do remember too to consult your doctor about medical conditions that put you at greater risk of a stroke. 

 

DR KASEANSOM VIRANUVATTI is a neurologist at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. He can be contacted at (02) 378 9000 extension 24103 or by e-mailing |[email protected].