A stroke is a condition in which blood clots (clots) damage blood vessels and arteries, interfering with normal blood flow to an area of \u200b\u200bthe brain. Lack of oxygen and glucose (sugar) in the brain leads to the death of brain cells and damage to the brain, resulting in impaired speech, movement and memory. Why does a stroke happen Why it develops and what types of stroke are?

What is a stroke So, the medical definition of a stroke explains that a stroke is an acute violation of cerebral circulation, which is characterized by a sudden (within minutes, hours) onset of focal and / or cerebral neurological symptoms. Symptoms can persist for more than 24 hours and even lead to the death of the patient in a shorter time due to cerebrovascular pathology.

It is necessary to know that cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, which have etiopathogenetic and clinical differences, also apply to stroke..

Types of stroke The two main types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.. Ischemic stroke accounts for approximately 75% of all strokes and occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) blocks blood flow to parts of the brain. It happens that a thrombus that has formed somewhere in the body breaks off and, as a result, moves freely in the circulatory system (this is called an embolism), while a wandering thrombus can enter the brain through the blood, where it can cause an ischemic stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain and blood fills the space between the brain and skull (subarachnoid hemorrhage) or when defective arteries in the brain are damaged, filling the surrounding tissues with blood (cerebral hemorrhage). As a result, there is no blood flow to the brain, and the accumulated blood creates too much pressure on the brain..

Who is at risk of stroke?

Anyone can suffer from a stroke. Although many risk factors for stroke are out of our control, some of them, such as proper nutrition and regular health check-ups, help reduce the risk of stroke.. Risk factors for stroke include:.

• age over 55 years;

• belonging to the male sex;

• family history of stroke; high blood pressure;

• high cholesterol;

• Smoking cigarettes;

• Diabetes;

• obesity and overweight;

• cardiovascular diseases;

• Having a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA);

• high level of homocysteine \u200b\u200b(blood amino acids);

• use of birth control agents using other hormonal therapy;

• cocaine use;

• alcohol abuse.

What causes a stroke?

Ischemic stroke is ultimately most often caused by a thrombus or embolism that blocks blood flow to the brain. Blood clots (thrombi) usually form in arteries that have been damaged by atherosclerosis due to plaque buildup. An embolism is often caused by atrial fibrillation, which leads to blood clots and poor blood flow..

Brain hemorrhages can also be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure, head trauma, or an aneurysm.. High blood pressure is the most common cause of cerebral hemorrhage, and this causes the destruction of small arteries in the brain.. This robs brain cells of blood and dangerously increases pressure on the brain..

Aneurysms are the most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. If the aneurysm ruptures, blood spills into the space between the surface of the brain and the skull, and the blood vessels in the brain constrict. Aneurysms are often caused or aggravated by high blood pressure..

A study has shown that a defect in a particular gene can also lead to stroke and fatal diseases of the aorta and coronary arteries..

Less often, a stroke occurs from a hemorrhage due to a rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

An AVM is an abnormal tangle of thin-walled blood vessels present at birth..

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Within minutes of a stroke, brain cells begin to die and symptoms appear that are important to recognize as prompt treatment is critical to recovery.. Usually symptoms include:.

• Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance and coordination • Speech problems • Numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body • Blurred vision, blackness or double vision • Sudden severe headache Stroke with mild symptoms (or "

A possible sign that a stroke may be occurring is a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain, called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIA symptoms are similar to stroke.

Studies have also shown that women are more likely to experience non-traditional stroke symptoms..

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