Many people are concerned about the causes of stroke, the symptoms and treatment, and what exactly the disease is. The disease is very dangerous in its course and the existing complications that affect a person after the acute phase of the disease has been eliminated. The only way to save the patient is urgent hospitalization and emergency measures to normalize well-being.
It is very important to know what the causes of a stroke could be so that timely prevention can be carried out and prevent the occurrence of this disease.
Feature of the disease
Regardless of the causes of a stroke, it is a pathological change in blood circulation in the brain, manifested in neurological lesions.
As a result of these processes, some parts of the brain lose their functional abilities, which adversely affects the functioning of the organs and systems controlled by these areas.
Classification
The classification of strokes is quite broad and includesself-provoking causes, the mechanism of development, the peculiarity and magnitude of the lesion. It is customary to distinguish such types as:
- ischemic;
- hemorrhagic;
- lacunary;
- extensive;
- spinal;
- spicy;
- microstroke;
- repeat.
Ischemic stroke is one of the most common brain damage among all other types. Its cause may be a violation of the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to brain cells, which can occur due to vasoconstriction. Hemorrhagic stroke is a consequence of rupture of cerebral vessels, as a result of which blood fills the cavities. This leads to hematoma formation and edema.
Massive stroke - any massive lesion. It has more pronounced symptoms and often leads to the death of the patient or disability for a long time. In addition, they are classified according to severity.
Ischemic stroke
The most common ischemic brain injury. It is diagnosed mainly in older people over the age of 60. Among the main causes of ischemic stroke are:
- changing the properties of blood;
- heart disease;
- pathology of the arteries;
- diabetes mellitus;
- bad habits.
Often such an attack occurs quite unexpectedly, at night. The mechanism of this process is based on a violation of the patency of blood vessels. This is mainly due to blockage and narrowing of the arteries. In this casethe supply of nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells is disrupted, which provokes their necrosis.
As a rule, the causes of ischemic stroke are closely related to various diseases occurring in the body. When a certain part of the brain is disconnected from blood circulation, the symptoms of the disease appear already during the first hours and can persist for more than a day. The disease itself can occur with the formation of thrombosis as a result of smoking, stress, malnutrition, hypothermia.
It is important not only to know the causes of a stroke, but also what are its main types according to the degree of damage. In particular, there are such varieties as:
- transistor;
- small;
- progressive;
- extensive.
The easiest is a micro-stroke or a transistor one, since a small area is affected and the tissues are restored literally within a day. By pathogenesis, the ischemic form of stroke is divided into types such as:
- thromboembolic;
- hemodynamic;
- lacunary.
The thromboembolic type of disease is characterized by the formation of a blood clot, and is also associated with arterial embolism, as well as atherosclerosis. A pathological process proceeds with an increase in symptoms throughout the day and may have a focal lesion of various sizes. The hemodynamic type provokes vasospasm and prolonged nutritional deficiency. Often it is due to low blood pressure, myocardial ischemia and bradycardia. manifestmaybe in the form of a sharp attack or stepwise.
Lacunar type affects small arteries. It is formed mainly in the subcortical areas and has a small lesion. Among the main provoking factor, hypertension should be singled out.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Intracerebral hemorrhage may be due to exposure to trauma. In addition, among the main causes of hemorrhagic stroke, it is necessary to highlight the abnormal permeability of the walls of blood vessels. As a result of this, their rupture and the release of blood occur, which leads to blocking of the function of the brain regions. Basically, vascular permeability changes due to frequent arterial hypertension.
When this type of disease occurs, brain cells are damaged. The causes of hemorrhagic stroke are caused by blood clots and vasospasms occurring against the background:
- avitaminosis;
- intoxication;
- atherosclerosis.
In addition, the violation can occur under the influence of high blood pressure, triggered by hypertension. Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs quite unexpectedly when blood vessels rupture. Often, such a condition occurs during the day under the influence of significant psychological and physical stress and stress.
Subarachnoid stroke
The causes of a subarachnoid type stroke are associated with a head injury or a ruptured aneurysm. Damage to a blood vessel located on the surface of the brain provokes the release of blood into the space located between the meninges.
Among the factors-irritants need to highlight drug use, anemia, poor blood clotting. Often this type of hemorrhage is localized in the lower part of the brain, as well as on the surface.
Causes of occurrence
Despite the fact that age is the main provoking factor, however, among the main causes of stroke, one should also highlight such as:
- hereditary factor;
- tobacco smoking;
- malnutrition;
- insufficient physical activity;
- presence of comorbidities.
People who have had a stroke generally have several precipitating factors. Older people are at the highest risk, especially if they often have high blood pressure, they lead a sedentary lifestyle and are overweight. However, young people are also not immune from the occurrence of this disease.
Stroke is more common in men but kills more women. This has a lot to do with average life expectancy. Causes of stroke in women may be related to contraceptive use and pregnancy.
Race is important. Most often, the disease affects representatives of ethnic minorities. The greatest difference is observed in young people. According to studies, socio-economic factors have a great influence.
Smoking is one of the main causes of stroke in men and women. If a person smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, then he is at riskthe development of the disease is much greater than in non-smokers. It can remain very high for 14 years after quitting.
Among the main causes of stroke in young people are alcohol abuse and drug use, especially methamphetamine and cocaine. In addition, anabolic steroids attached to sports accessories and athletes' clothing significantly increase the risk.
The use of anti-inflammatory drugs and frequent stress can lead to the onset of the disease.
Occurrence of the disease in childhood
The causes of stroke in children are mainly related to factors such as:
- congenital anomalies of cerebral vessels;
- hemolytic anemia;
- dangerous infectious diseases;
- DIC.
Since the child's nervous system is able to recover, with proper timely treatment, you can achieve normalization of well-being and brain function.
Main symptoms
The first signs of a stroke are very dependent on the location and size of the lesion. It is worth noting that the symptoms of hemorrhage can be more pronounced, and with an extensive lesion, the death of the patient usually occurs. In a person who feels unwell, vascular disorders can be assumed by signs such as:
- numbness of some body parts;
- loss of control;
- headache;
- double vision and blurred vision;
- sensory and motorviolations;
- vomiting, dizziness, nausea.
All these symptoms can only be recognized by the patient himself, provided that he is conscious. However, often acute cerebrovascular accident causes a fainting state from which the patient cannot get out.
Be sure to know what are the causes and symptoms of a stroke, so that you can provide timely medical assistance to the victim. It is worth remembering that a person in this state should not be shaken, trying to seat, as such actions will only aggravate well-being.
In the acute period of any type of stroke, neurologists distinguish cerebral and neurological disorders. The development of cerebral signs is based on hypoxia caused by ischemia or increased pressure and hemorrhage. Among the main symptoms are:
- severe headaches;
- impaired consciousness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- convulsions.
Neurological manifestations indicate damage to a certain area of the brain. Among the main symptoms can be identified such as:
- violation or complete loss of motor functions;
- violation of sensitivity on the opposite side of the lesion;
- changing eye position;
- drooping corners of the mouth;
- speech disorder;
- appearance of pathological reflexes.
All these signs are very important in terms of prognosis, as well as determining which part of the brain is affected.
If the lesion affected the subarachnoidspace, then this is followed by:
- severe headache;
- pronounced cerebral symptoms;
- appearance of a coma.
Neurologists consider damage to the brain stem to be a dangerous condition, since the most important nerve centers that ensure the vital activity of the body are concentrated in this area. In this case, a stroke becomes the cause of death of the patient, since a very strong hemorrhage occurs. Among the main symptoms it is necessary to highlight:
- loss of consciousness and coma;
- bilateral paralysis;
- sensitivity disorder;
- swallowing disorder;
- deterioration of breathing and cardiac activity.
Extensive cerebral ventricular hemorrhage poses a very serious threat to the patient's life. Among the main signs, it is necessary to highlight a sharp impairment of consciousness and a coma.
Hemorrhage in the region of the cerebellum threatens with a very rapid development of edema, which leads to the death of the patient. Among the main signs of such a condition, it is necessary to highlight:
- severe headache in the back of the head;
- vomit;
- dizziness;
- discoordination;
- speech disorder.
Since the frontal lobes are responsible for many functions that determine the personality, their defeat leads to mental disorders, as well as convulsive seizures. Human behavior changes very dramatically almost beyond recognition, however, paralysis, motor and speech disorders are also observed.
When defeatedtemporal region, there are signs such as:
- hearing impairment;
- loss of ability to perceive sounds;
- formation of temporal lobe epilepsy;
- hallucinations.
It is imperative to know what the main causes of a stroke and the symptoms of a violation can be, as this will allow timely assistance to the patient, which increases his chances of recovery.
Diagnostics
The causes of a brain stroke can be very different, as well as its symptoms. However, it is very important to conduct a timely comprehensive diagnosis in order to detect the disease. The sooner it can be diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient and the greater the chance of recovery. Diagnosis includes:
- physical and neurological examination;
- examination of the patient's medical history;
- laboratory testing;
- display tests.
Many of these procedures are done to assess the risk of major strokes in the future. For patients whose lesions are very severe, first of all, it is necessary to determine the type of course of the disease, since drug therapy is prescribed based on the data obtained and some drugs are most effective only in the first 3-4 hours after the lesion. However, if the disease was caused by bleeding, then these drugs will only increase it, which will lead to the death of the patient.
For diagnostics, such methods are used,like:
- doppler;
- tomography;
- angiography;
- electrocardiogram;
- echocardiography.
Dopplerography allows you to study the blood circulation in the veins and arteries through the use of ultrasound. This study allows you to determine the presence of blood clots, impaired blood flow, as well as many other problems. High-frequency sound waves are directed to the desired area of the brain.
Tomography allows you to distinguish between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Angiography is an invasive procedure that penetrates deeply into the patient's body. It can be used in case of need for surgery, and also allows you to detect an aneurysm.
Electrocardiogram evaluates the activity of the heart muscle and its characteristics, which is important for the examination of the patient. Echocardiography is used to look at the valves and chambers of the heart. This will determine if there are blood clots or risk factors for blood clots.
First Aid
Regardless of the cause of a stroke, first aid must be provided in a timely and correct manner. The most important thing is to immediately call an ambulance, and before the doctor arrives, you need to remove all excess clothing, unfasten your belt. Then lay the victim on a pillow so that his head is above the level of the bed.
Provide fresh air to the room, and periodically measure the pressure so that the doctor understands the peculiarity of the condition. If the pressure is elevated, then it is worth giving the patient a drug thathe used to accept for his downgrade. If there are no required medicines in the house, then you just need to dip the patient's legs in hot water.
With nausea, all measures must be taken so that the vomit does not enter the respiratory tract. A stroke patient is transported strictly in the supine position.
Providing treatment
The causes and treatment of a stroke can be very different, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, as well as the type of disease. The most important thing is to take action in the first 6 hours after an attack. Treatment begins with correcting the problem with the heart and respiratory system. Normalization of cerebral circulation, as well as stabilization of blood composition is important.
With cerebral ischemia, a drug such as Actilyse is used. In addition, anticoagulants are required, for example, Fragmin, Heparin, neurophrotics - Glycine, Piracetam. Since the patient may have blood clots, then blood thinners are required, for example, Cardiomagnyl, antiplatelet agents - Ticlid, vasoactive agents - Sermion, Trental.
Since the causes of a hemorrhagic type of cerebral stroke are associated with vascular rupture, it is more severe than ischemic. In the presence of a hemorrhage, a consultation with a neurosurgeon is required, as well as an operation to remove a blood clot or clamp a vessel.
It is worth remembering that there are no effective drugs for the treatment of this disease. Drug therapy is prescribed only to prevent complications and preventre-stroke.
Stroke rehabilitation
Regardless of the causes of stroke in men and women, as well as their age, after treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation is required. Violation of cerebral circulation leads to the formation of a pathological focus in the brain, and the cells around it are in a state of reduced activity or complete inhibition. Timely medical measures will help to restore their activity.
It is necessary to start carrying out rehabilitation measures even during the patient's stay in the hospital. Much depends on the psychological state of the patient. All ongoing recovery activities are monitored by a neurologist or a rehabilitation specialist. Rehab includes:
- drugs;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- psychotherapy;
- physiotherapy exercises.
It is also important to educate the patient in lost or impaired skills. In patients who have had a microstroke, they recover literally within a month.
It is very important to clearly and systematically perform all the exercises recommended by the doctor, without missing a single day. The peculiarity of physiotherapy exercises must be agreed with the attending doctor.
With a long recovery period and a tendency to spasms, massage has a good effect. Its correct implementation significantly improves blood circulation in the tissues and helps to reduce congestion. In addition, massage helps to regulate muscletone.
For the treatment of speech disorders, the help of a speech therapist-aphasiologist is required. By performing training exercises according to special techniques, the patient can begin to pronounce words much faster, and then whole sentences. Memory recovery is also required. It is very important to provide psychological comfort for the patient, as this will contribute to a faster recovery.
Consequences of a stroke
The causes and consequences of a stroke must be taken into account in the first place in order to prevent deterioration of he alth and quickly recover. The consequences depend on a variety of factors, in particular such as:
- degree of injury;
- localization;
- speed of care.
Some effects may be temporary and the patient recovers quickly. More severe brain damage provokes various complications. As a result, the patient's movements become difficult or impossible to perform. Changes in gait may require additional support. In addition, the disease manifests itself in the asymmetry of the face. This affects the cheeks, mouth and lips. This causes very severe discomfort when eating or drinking, and also leads to a visible cosmetic defect.
Very often in a person, after a stroke, there is a violation of sensitivity, which is characterized by a lack of ability to feel heat, cold, pain, or even the very part of the body. In addition, the consequences can manifest themselves in the development of pain syndrome, which can be different inintensity and localization.
How long do people live after a stroke
Regardless of the cause of stroke in women and men, no one can say for sure how long they live after the disease. Each case is individual, as is the person affected by this violation. According to statistics, 35% of deaths occur in the first month after treatment, 50% occur in the first year. Sometimes death occurs almost immediately, and in some cases a person can live for a very long time and recover almost completely.
The most common causes that lead to patient death are:
- tobacco smoking;
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- heart disease.
When two or more factors are combined, the risk of death is greatly increased. To increase life expectancy, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures and lead a he althy lifestyle. All these recommendations must be followed especially carefully in the first months after brain damage, since during this period there is a high probability of relapse.
Possible Complications
There are a variety of causes of stroke in men and women, which lead to very dangerous complications, which is why in order to normalize well-being, you must strictly follow all the recommendations of your doctor. Complications after a previous stroke are mainly associated not with the violation itself, but with the patient's prolonged stay in the supine position.
As a result of this, there are oftenbedsores. Their development begins with the formation of blue-red areas and gradually tissue necrosis occurs. This is a very painful process and difficult to treat.
In addition, pneumonia is considered another dangerous complication. Its development is due to the fact that the process of expectoration of sputum is disturbed. Due to stagnation, it accumulates and subsequently becomes infected.
Thrombosis in bedridden patients is often hidden under edema of paralyzed limbs, which greatly exacerbates the situation. When a blood clot breaks off, the consequences can be very dangerous. The lack of movement often leads to a deterioration in intestinal motility, which can lead to the development of an inflammatory process, as well as intestinal obstruction.
Coma is a common complication of stroke. The prognosis for this condition can be different and strictly individual, however, it is worth preparing for a long rehabilitation period and making every effort to recover.
Prevention
Since the causes of stroke at a young age and in the elderly can be very different, it is important to carry out comprehensive prevention in order to prevent the development of such a condition. This disease is much easier to prevent than to treat for a long time. Preventive measures include:
- correct organization of work and rest;
- sleep regulation;
- good nutrition;
- stress prevention;
- restriction of s alt in the diet;
- timely treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The best way to avoid a stroke is to prevent atherosclerosis and other heart diseases. Controlling blood pressure and testing for diabetes is very important. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe drugs that normalize the microcirculation of cerebral vessels, and it is also possible to take medications that prevent the development of hypoxia.
After a stroke, it is important to prevent its recurrence. The risk is significantly increased with hypertension, valvular disease, arrhythmias, diabetes, and heart failure. Prevention must continue for at least 4 years and a he althy lifestyle must be maintained.
