World Stroke Day: find out more about the disease

World Stroke Day: find out more about the disease


The expert explains the importance of healthy habits to prevent the disease

Currently, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.




Neurosurgeon and stroke specialist, Victor Hugo Espíndola, explains that there are two types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic.

  • Ischemic: It is present in 80% of cases and results from an obstruction of the artery. Since the arterial function is to carry blood to the brain, the blockage means that the affected region receives no irrigation. In this way, the brain tissue enters a process of hypoxia due to the lack of oxygen, glucose and other nutrients, which culminates in the death of that tissue.
  • Hemorrhagic: occurs through extravasation of blood into the brain tissue. The main cause is uncontrolled hypertension, which occurs in a hypertensive peak and leads to rupture of the arteries. Other causes may be associated with cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and

Stroke symptoms

To diagnose ischemic stroke, an acronym called SAMUwhich facilitates recognition. To do this, the patient must smile, allowing one to identify whether there is facial symmetry or whether the mouth is crooked, a symptom of a stroke.

Furthermore, presenting a difference in strength between one arm and another, or between one leg and another, can be an indication of the disease, since it tends to affect one side of the body.

The professional also explains something else approaches which facilitate diagnosis. “We ask the patient to sing a song, you talk to him, we ask him to recite a poem, which he is used to doing. If he is not able to present much difficulty, it could also be a sign. If you have the slightest suspicion that the patient has a stroke, you need to send him to the hospital as soon as possible.”

In the case of hemorrhagic stroke, the symptom that attracts the most attention is the heachache. It is usually a sudden, intense pain, described as the worst in life. It may be accompanied by other signs such as drowsiness, convulsions or, in more severe cases, coma.

Treatment

Treatment of ischemic stroke is related to the duration of symptoms, so there are two possible treatments. The first is the drug in the vein, called venous thrombosiswhich aims to reach the clot and break it, unblocking the artery.

In more serious cases, when there is obstruction of a large artery, catheterization, called catheterization, is used. mechanical thrombectomy. This procedure allows you to enter the artery, reach the damaged artery and unblock it using devices such as the stent and suction catheter.

Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke varies depending on the cause. If the disease is due to a hypertensive peak, that is the approach check your blood pressure. If it is due to a ruptured brain aneurysm, it is necessary treat the aneurysm.

In these cases it is essential to identify the factor that caused the disease and treat it as quickly as possible.

Stroke prevention

According to the expert, it is very important to take preventive measures. “Let’s say that around 80% of strokes are preventable with a good lifestyle. The main risk factors they are hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle. All of these risk factors, if controlled, can prevent most strokes. Therefore, it is very important to raise public awareness of the vast majority of cases can be prevented“.

Public incident

Ischemic stroke is more common in elderlyespecially among the public over the age of 70. “Before, it was more common in men, because they had worse habits, as they tend to be more careless about their health and preventive measures. But in women, due to the new pace of life, stress and the job market, the incidence is increasing,” explains the neurosurgeon.

As regards hemorrhagic stroke, especially in cases of cerebral aneurysms, the most affected population are women. middle-aged women. “So in women around 40, 50, even 60 years old, it is the public who are most affected by this disease”, concludes the professional.

Source: Terra

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