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Understanding Brain Stroke Types, Causes, Symptoms and Lifesaving Prevention Tips

Published: October 22, 2024
Understanding Brain Stroke Types, Causes, Symptoms and Lifesaving Prevention Tips

A brain stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or blocked. As a result, the brain tissues are deprived of oxygen, which results in the death of healthy brain cells.  Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, which requires immediate medical attention. Timely precautions can minimise brain damage and improve the chances of recovery.

In this blog, we will explore the types of brain stroke, its symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and preventive strategies.

What is a Brain Stroke?

A stroke is a medical disorder where the blood supply to the brain stops, either because a blood vessel bursts (leading in a hemorrhagic stroke) or gets blocked (resulting in an intellectual stroke). Within minutes of the blood supply being cut off, brain cells begin to die and if treatment is delayed, this might result in permanent brain damage or even death in worse situations.

Stroke affects millions of people each year and is among the leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide.

Types of Brain Stroke

There are three main types of brain stroke:

  • Ischemic Stroke: This stroke can be caused by blood clots that form in the brain's blood vessels (thrombotic stroke) or by clots that form elsewhere in the body and travel to the brain (embolic stroke).
  • Haemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding inside or around the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes can result from conditions such as high blood pressure, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The two types of hemorrhagic strokes are:
  1. Intracerebral haemorrhage: Bleeding occurs within the brain tissue.
  2. Subarachnoid haemorrhage: Bleeding occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it.
  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): It is referred to as a "mini-stroke.” This occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a full stroke, but they are temporary and typically resolve within minutes to hours.

Causes of Brain Stroke

There are various causes of stroke that  are typically related to factors that affect the brain's blood vessels and circulation.

Causes of Ischemic Stroke:

  • Atherosclerosis: Fat deposits in the blood vessels can lead to the formation of blood clots that block blood flow to the brain.
  • Embolism: A blood clot that forms in another part of the body, such as the heart or neck arteries, and travels to the brain.
  • Cardiovascular disease: Conditions such as atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) increase the risk of clots forming and causing an ischemic stroke.

Causes of Hemorrhagic Stroke:

  • High blood pressure: Uncontrolled hypertension can weaken blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of rupture.
  • Aneurysms: Weakness in the walls of blood vessels can cause them to bulge and eventually burst.
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain can rupture, leading to hemorrhagic strokes.
  • Trauma: Head injuries may lead to bleeding in the brain.

Symptoms of Brain Stroke

Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke is critical, as early treatment can save lives and reduce the risk of long term disability. Common symptoms of a stroke include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness: Especially in the face, arm, or leg, typically on one side of the body.
  • Confusion or trouble speaking: Difficulty in understanding speech or slurred speech.
  • Vision problems: Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, or blurred vision.
  • Difficulty walking: Sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, or trouble walking.
  • Severe headache: A sudden, intense headache with no known cause, often accompanied by vomiting or altered consciousness, which is more common in hemorrhagic strokes.

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Risk Factors for Brain Stroke

Several risk factors can increase the chances of a stroke. Some risk factors are controllable, while others, such as age and family history, are not. Major risk factors include:

  • Age: The risk of stroke increases with age, especially after 55.
  • High blood pressure: Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke.
  • Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and raises the risk of stroke.
  • Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes can contribute to stroke by increasing atherosclerosis and damaging blood vessels.
  • Heart disease: Conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart valve defects can increase stroke risk.
  • High cholesterol: Elevated levels of cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries.
  • Physical inactivity and obesity: Sedentary lifestyles and excess weight increase the risk of stroke.
  • Alcohol and drug use: Excessive consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs (e.g., cocaine) can raise stroke risk.
  • Family history: A family history of stroke increases your risk.
  • Gender: Men are at a higher risk of stroke, though women tend to have more severe outcomes.

Diagnosis of Brain Stroke

When a stroke is suspected, medical professionals perform certain tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of stroke. Diagnostic methods include:

  • Physical examination: A physician will test speech, vision, coordination, and reflexes in addition to checking symptoms.
  • Imaging tests:
  1. CT scan: A computerised tomography (CT) scan can quickly detect bleeding in the brain or other stroke related abnormalities.
  2. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed images of the brain and can detect ischemic stroke early.
  • Blood tests: Blood tests help determine blood clotting status, blood sugar levels, and infection markers.
  • Carotid ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to detect plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
  • Echocardiogram: This test examines the heart and can detect potential sources of blood clots.

Treatment for Brain Stroke

The treatment for a stroke depends on the type, the severity, and the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms. Immediate medical care is essential to minimise brain damage and improve outcomes.

Treatment for Ischemic Stroke:

  • Clot-busting drugs: Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) can dissolve clots if administered within a few hours of symptom onset. It is the gold standard for treating ischemic stroke.
  • Mechanical thrombectomy: In some cases, doctors may use specialised devices to remove the clot from the brain's arteries.
  • Anticoagulants: These medications, such as aspirin, help prevent new clots from forming.

Treatment for Hemorrhagic Stroke:

Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be required to stop the bleeding and relieve pressure on the brain.

Blood pressure management: Lowering high blood pressure can help reduce the risk of further bleeding.

Aneurysm repair: Procedures such as clipping or coiling can prevent aneurysms from rupturing again.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

Recovery of the stroke depends on the severity of the brain damage. Rehabilitation is often necessary to regain lost abilities and improve quality of life. Rehabilitation programs may include:

  • Physical therapy

    Physical therapy aims to restore strength, mobility, and coordination in stroke survivors. Muscle weakness, poor balance, and difficulty controlling motions are common issues after a stroke. Physical therapists develop individualised training programs that focus on these areas in partnership with their patients. Exercises like stretching, strengthening, gait training (learning how to walk), and balance drills are often included in these programs.   In addition, physical therapy aims to increase endurance and range of motion, all of which are necessary for performing daily tasks including standing, walking, and climbing stairs. To improve motor skills, therapists use equipment such as stability balls, weights, and resistance bands. A more effective and quick recovery can be achieved by avoiding problems such as muscle loss, joint stiffness, and falls with early and ongoing therapy.
  • Speech therapy

    Language therapy aims to improve communication skills by retraining the brain's functions related to language. Exercises to strengthen speech muscles, enhance speech, and practice sentence formation or word retrieval may all be part of therapy. Speech therapists may also introduce other forms of communication, such sign language or communication devices, in cases of severe disability. Beyond speech, dysphagia (difficulties swallowing) is another prevalent post-stroke condition that can be addressed with this therapy.  Early speech therapy intervention significantly increases the chance of meaningful communication skill improvement, which has a good effect on social interaction and emotional health.
  • Occupational therapy

    Occupational therapy focuses on enabling stroke survivors to perform essential daily tasks independently, enhancing their quality of life and self sufficiency. A stroke may impact a person's ability to manage basic activities such as dressing, bathing, cooking, or using the bathroom. Occupational therapists help patients relearn these skills, often by introducing adaptive techniques or tools to compensate for physical or cognitive limitations.Additionally, occupational therapy addresses cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem solving, which are crucial for managing more complex tasks like managing finances or returning to work. The overall goal is to rebuild the confidence and abilities necessary for the patient to navigate daily life as independently as possible.

Objective of Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

The objective of rehabilitation is to assist the patient regain as much independence and function as possible, improving their quality of life. Rehabilitation mainly focuses on:

  • Restoring Physical Function: Regaining strength, mobility, balance, and coordination through targeted therapies.
  • Improving Cognitive and Communication Skills: Addressing impairments in memory, speech, language, and problem-solving.
  • Relearning Daily Activities: Enabling patients to perform tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, and walking independently.
  • Preventing Complications: Reducing the risk of long-term disabilities, muscle atrophy, or secondary health issues (e.g., falls, infections).
  • Enhancing Emotional and Mental Health: Addressing depression, anxiety, or frustration through psychological support or counselling.

Can Patients Recover and Regain Mobility Like Normal?

The degree of brain damage and the severity of the stroke affect how completely a patient can improve. Sometimes people can achieve great movement and function again with the help of rehabilitation. Some people may recover almost completely and resume normal or almost normal activities with initial and regular therapy. While some people may have permanent dysfunctionality, the goal of rehabilitation is to maximise their functional abilities.

Rehabilitation therapy doesn't always enable patients to return to their pre stroke state, it does help the majority of patients to regain a significant degree of independence and enhance their quality of life.

Preventing Brain Stroke

Many strokes are preventable with lifestyle changes and medical interventions. Key strategies for stroke prevention include:

  • Control high blood pressure: Regular monitoring and medication can help keep blood pressure in check.
  • Quit smoking: Eliminating tobacco use reduces stroke risk significantly.
  • Exercise regularly: Physical activity improves heart health and lowers stroke risk.
  • Maintain a healthy diet: A diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and salt can reduce the risk of stroke.
  • Manage diabetes: Keeping blood sugar levels under control is critical for stroke prevention.
  • Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and increased stroke risk.

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Conclusion

A Brain stroke is a serious medical emergency that can lead to permanent disability or even death if not treated. Understanding the types of strokes, their causes, symptoms, and risk factors is essential for early treatment. Recognizing early signs such as sudden numbness, confusion, vision problems, or difficulty walking can be life-saving, as immediate medical care is crucial in minimising brain damage.

Prevention strategies, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, are key to reducing stroke risk. Managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease also plays a vital role in prevention. In essence, while a brain stroke poses significant risks, many cases are preventable, and early action can greatly influence the outcome, providing hope for recovery and reducing the burden of this life-threatening condition.

Guneet Bindra
Reviewer

Guneet Bhatia is the Founder of HOSPIDIO and an accomplished content reviewer with extensive experience in medical content development, instructional design, and blogging. Passionate about creating impactful content, she excels in ensuring accuracy and clarity in every piece. Guneet enjoys engaging in meaningful conversations with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, enriching her perspective. When she's not working, she cherishes quality time with her family, enjoys good music, and loves brainstorming innovative ideas with her team.