Let’s Talk About… Strokes
July 13, 2009 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Would you recognize a stroke if someone you knew or you were having one? Do you know what at TIA is? What are the different types of strokes? Can children have strokes?
A stroke in medical speak is called a cerebral vascular accident, or a CVA. CVAs can happen to anyone at any time, including children – although it’s not common. Strokes can be very mild and passing or they can be devastatingly severe. But despite all the differences, strokes are something that should always be taken seriously.
What is a stroke?
There are two types of strokes: hemorrhagic and ischemic. They are very different but the results can be similar.
Ischemic strokes are the most common types, affecting about 85% of people who have strokes. These are caused when blood vessels that supply the brain are blocked, either by a blood clot or by build up of fat and plaque. The blood cannot pass through and provide much needed nutrients and oxygen to the brain, causing death to brain tissue.
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and blood leaks into the brain tissue. As the blood accumulates, it causes pressure on the brain. These aren’t as common.
TIAs, or transient ischemic attacks are strokes, but they’re often referred to as mini-strokes. They don’t last long and they don’t leave a lasting problem. But, they are considered serious because they are usually warnings of something worse to come.
Signs and symptoms
Strokes differ in their effect on people. Some people may end up totally paralyzed on one side, others may not be able to speak, while yet others may not be able to understand. The type of damage done to the brain depends on how severe the stroke is and what part of the brain was deprived of oxygen or was damaged from the pressure.
According to the American Heart Association website:
If you notice one or more of these signs, don’t wait. Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical services. Get to a hospital right away!
The American Stroke Association wants you to learn the warning signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Don’t waste any time. With a stroke, time is not on your side.
Children
Sadly, children can have strokes too. Usually, if a child has a stroke, it’s caused by a problem such as a heart defect or an illness such as sickle cell anemia. Children can also have strokes as the result of an injury. For example, if they have a neck injury, it could block the flow of blood into the brain.
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Images courtesy PhotoXpress.com and Newscom.com
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] Cerebrovascular disease is what leads to strokes and is usually caused by atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries. The result is either the blood vessels get blocked, depriving the brain of nutrient and oxygen-rich blood, or the blood vessels may burst, causing a hemorrhage and pooling of blood in the brain. This puts pressure on the brain tissue and can cause a stroke or death (Let’s Talk About… Strokes). [...]