Understanding How Brain Stroke Happens: Causes and Warning Signs

A brain stroke is known to be an emergency that could happen anytime and have a huge influence on the lifestyle of an individual. This disease is one of the main reasons for disability and death in the whole world. It is important to know how brain stroke happens, what causes it, and the signs to look out for to prevent or to seek medical help to avoid disaster.

Neurologist Dr. Sumit Kamble states that the public should be widely aware of this health concern. This blog post will cover the workings, factors, signals, and affirmations to fight brain strokes adequately.

What is a Brain Stroke?

A brain stroke or simply a stroke is defined as the disruption of blood supply to a particular part of the brain. This may result in brain cells not getting the required supply of oxygen and nutrients, and thus they’ll start to die within minutes. Strokes are broadly categorized into two types:

●      Ischemic Stroke: Occurs due to blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, responsible for roughly 87% of stroke cases.

●      Hemorrhagic Stroke: It happens when an artery in the brain becomes blocked and fractured, causing bleeding in or around the brain. 

Each type of stroke comes with the real danger of long-term disability if not attended to in the shortest time possible.

How Does a Brain Stroke Happen?

The brain requires a fresh, oxygenated blood supply to operate properly. When this supply is interrupted, brain cells start to die, and depending on the location of these cells the symptom varies. Here’s how the two main types of strokes occur:

●      Ischemic Stroke: Sometimes, it results from a clot in the brain’s arteries, known as a thrombus. Other times, it is attributed to a build-up of fatty substances, such as atherosclerosis.

●      Hemorrhagic Stroke: Often caused by hypertension, injury, or generalized or localized ballooning or widening of a blood artery. And, it may burst resulting in bleeding within the skull.

The mini-strokes also known as Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), appear when there is only a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain. They do not initiate permanent tissue injury but they alert you of a possible stroke.

Common Causes of Brain Strokes

They are caused by many predisposing illnesses and other lifestyle factors. Some of the most common causes include:

●      High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Known causes of stroke include chronic high blood pressure. In this state, pressure on the blood vessels becomes persistent and causes weakening. Thus, it leaves the vessels vulnerable to both the ischemic and hemorrhagic types.

●      Heart Disease: Diseases such as atrial fibrillation and heart valve diseases become factors leading to blood clots that reach the brain.

●      Diabetes: Diabetes reduces the blood’s ability to circulate as it damages the walls of blood vessels, making them more vulnerable to blocked passages.

●      Smoking: Cigarette smoking also aggravates the atherosclerosis process and enhances the risk of thrombogenesis.

●      High Cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol are likely to cause deposits of plaques on the arterial walls and hamper blood supply to the brain.

●      Obesity: Overweight condition also increases blood pressure, diabetes, and all other possible causes of a stroke.

●      Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity leads to stroke.

Early Warning Signs of a Brain Stroke

Now you know how brain stroke happens, let’s take a look at the early symptoms of a brain stroke. And, that can be extremely helpful for a quick diagnosis of the stroke. The acronym FAST is often used to remember the critical symptoms:

●      F – Face Drooping: It is possible to have slurred speech, face droop on one side, or numbness on the face.

●      A – Arm Weakness: Reduced ability to lift one or both of the arms owing to weakness or paresthesia.

●      S – Speech Difficulty: Difficulty in speaking or articulation, especially in the later period slurred speech is observed.

●      T – Time to Call for Help: Any of the symptoms mentioned should call for immediate medical help from a healthcare facility.

Other warning signs may include:

●      Sudden severe headache.

●      Blurred or double vision.

●      Inability to walk or experience loss of balance.

●      Sudden confusion while talking or understanding someone.

●      Tingling or loss of feeling on half of the face.

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Why Recognizing Warning Signs Early is Crucial

The moment is very critical when handling a brain stroke situation. If treatment is started early, then the severity of the brain damage can be reduced and all the potential benefits of recovery enhanced. Every second counts especially to patients suffering from a stroke as they lose millions of brain cells in a second. Intervention in the first hours reduces the further progression of the disease and blood circulation restoration in the affected area of the brain.

Thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy are the other treatments that can only be given just several hours after a stroke has occurred.

Preventing Brain Strokes

Hypotensive precautions are of great importance after knowing about how brain stroke happens. Incorporation of a healthy lifestyle and managing underlying health conditions can significantly lower your chances of experiencing a stroke. Here are some tips:

●      Control Blood Pressure: Check and control high blood pressure frequently with drugs, proper meal plan, and exercise.

●      Maintain a Healthy Diet: Follow a healthy nutritional plan and include lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Limit consumption of salt sugar and saturated fats.

●      Exercise Regularly: Spend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

●      Quit Smoking: Tobacco control helps to achieve the best effect and prevents strokes and other vascular diseases.

●      Limit Alcohol Consumption: Too much alcohol raises blood pressure levels and the chances of having a stroke.

●      Manage Diabetes: Regulate the blood sugar levels by taking some medicines, following a healthy diet, and having your levels checked often.

●      Stay Active Mentally and Physically: The proper functioning of both your mind and body is crucial. Engaging in activities that give the brain excellent blood circulation also lowers the odds of a stroke.

Conclusion

It is crucial to know how brain stroke happens and what factors are involved to decrease the effect of stroke. Most deaths and profound handicaps are avoidable if the disease is discovered in its initial stages and appropriate treatment is sought. Dr. Sumit Kamble, the best neurologist in Jaipur, emphasizes the importance of educating and informing people about this silent killer. Making efficient lifestyle changes and paying close attention to the early signs of stroke can help society strive toward a future without the menace of stroke attacks.