Types of Stroke
When you have a stroke, you must talk slowly to be understood, and I've discovered that when I talk slowly, people listen. They think I'm going to say something important - Kirk Douglas
image by: Stem Cells 21
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Deconstructing the “Mini-Stroke”
There are two basic types of strokes – ischemic and hemorrhagic... Roughly 80% of strokes are of the ischemic type.
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, occurs when blood flow is disrupted to the brain and symptoms concerning for stroke occur, but then blood flow is either restored or the brain compensates for the absence of blood flow by seeking and acquiring blood from other sources and no damage to the brain occurs.
During a stroke, brain damage occurs. During a TIA, damage does not occur. What about a TIA during which damage does occur? What is that called? The answer is – a stroke. To describe a TIA as a “mini-stroke” misses the difference between the two terms.
Resources
I had a stroke when I was 29. My brain aged 10 years overnight.
The estrogen in some birth control pills increases the chance that women taking them will develop a blood clot or venous thrombosis like the one that caused my stroke and hemorrhage, leading neurovascular surgeon Dr. Ricardo Hanel told me. It also ups the likelihood of a pulmonary embolism when a clot blocks the arteries in your lung, and dural sinus thrombosis when a clot blocks blood flow from the brain.
Stroke: young people can have them too – here’s how to know if you’re at risk and what to look out for
Most of us think of stroke as a condition that only affects older people. But while it’s more common in old age, around 10% of all strokes happen in people under the age of 45 – and the figure is rising. The outcome of a stroke in young people can be complicated. While young brains are better able to repair themselves after trauma, the brain isn’t fully developed until 28. So in some ways it may actually be more vulnerable than an older brain to damage.
Cerebellar stroke – it’s about more than coordination and balance
Cerebellar stroke can be more difficult to accurately diagnose because the symptoms frequently don’t scream “Stroke!” the way that weakness on one side of the body or a facial droop may. I have seen cerebellar stroke patients in the acute setting diagnosed with migraine, benign forms of vertigo, intoxication, and substance abuse. When diagnosed early, situations leading to cerebellar stroke can be successfully treated with better outcomes for patients. Awareness of cerebellar stroke in both the community and amongst medical providers is critical for earlier diagnosis and more optimal management.
Types of Strokes
Despite the differences in causes, strokes present with similar symptoms. Suddenly experiencing numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially if it’s just on one side of the body, could be a stroke. You may experience sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, difficulty seeing, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or a sudden lack of coordination. A stroke can also present as a severe, sudden headache with no discernible cause.
Deconstructing the “Mini-Stroke”
The unfortunate reality is that stroke can happen at any age and can affect anyone. A stroke is a stroke. Period. A stroke results in an injury to the brain. There are two basic types of strokes – ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Stroke Foundation
A stroke can happen in two main ways: A blood clot or cholesterol plaque blocks a blood vessel. This is called an ischaemic stroke. A blood vessel leaks or breaks. This is called a haemorrhagic stroke.
Heart & Stroke
In rare cases, an underlying condition such as a tumour, an infection, or brain swelling due to an injury or illness can cause a stroke. Some people have irregularities in their arteries at birth that can cause a stroke later in life.
World Stroke Organization
There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and haemorrhagic.
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