Saturday, December 21, 2013

What is a stroke? Symptoms of a Stroke and Causes of Strokes

What is a stroke?
Tissue damage to area of the brain due to disruption in blood supply, depriving that area of the brain of oxygen.

Symptoms of a Stroke

Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of the body)
Dimness or loss of vision (usually one eye)
Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech
Unexplained, severe headache
Dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden fall

Causes of Strokes


  1. Infarction – blockage in cerebral artery that cuts off or reduces blood supply
a)      Thrombosis – blood clot
b)      Embolus – piece of plaque becomes lodged in the artery. 

  1. Hemorrhage – happens suddenly.  Less frequent than infarction but more damaging and more likely to cause death.

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