Dr. Rania Abd Elmohsen Abo Elnour
(lecturer in Almostaqbal University _ College of medical and health Techniques and sciences)
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly disrupted. This disruption can be caused by either a blockage or rupture of blood vessels within the brain. When brain cells do not receive enough blood supply these cells begin to die from lack of oxygen.
Factors that you can control account for 82% to 90% of all strokes:
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Poor diet
• Smoking
Other risk factors are based on lifestyle, genetics , and environment.
• Age is a risk factor, too. A stroke can occur at any age, but the risk is higher for adults as they grow older.
• Anxiety, depression, and high stress levels.
• Family history and genetics play a role as well
• Living or working in areas with air pollution can also contribute to stroke risk.
• Other medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, kidney disease, and migraine headaches, are also factors.
• Other unhealthy lifestyle habits, including drinking too much alcohol, getting too much sleep (more than 9 hours), and using illegal drugs such as cocaine, may raise stroke risk.
• Race and ethnicity is another factor. In the United States, stroke occurs more often in Black, Alaska Native, American Indian, and Hispanic adults than in white adults.
• Sex can play a role in risk for stroke. At younger ages, men are more likely than women to have a stroke. But women tend to live longer, so their lifetime risk of having a stroke is higher. Women who take birth control pills or use hormone replacement therapy are at higher risk. Women are also at higher risk during pregnancy and in the weeks after giving birth. High blood pressure during pregnancy such as from preeclampsia raises the risk of stroke later in life.
• Viral infections or conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause inflammation.
Signs and symptoms
• Weakness, numbness or paralysis of face, arm or leg (either or both sides of body)
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling dizzy or unexpected fall
• Loss of vision, sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Headache (usually severe)
• Loss of consciousness
First aid steps:
- Call ambulance
- If casualty is conscious reassure them and try to keep them comfortable
- Do not give anything to eat or drink
- Stay with casualty until ambulance arrives
- If casualty becomes unconscious follow Basic Life Support steps