Know what happens during a stroke, and you'll be ready to recognize the symptoms and get immediate medical care. Prompt treatment is essential, because there's a narrow three-hour window after a stroke begins when declotting agents can be used to treat some types of strokes. Prompt treatment can also reduce swelling that could lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Types of Strokes
There are two types of strokes. Both cause damage to brain cells, which may or may not result in permanent damage to brain function. Having a stroke, even a small stroke, leaves a person susceptible to further strokes, complications, illnesses and physical disability.
Ischemic strokes are caused by a buildup of plaque in brain arteries, or by a blood clot or calcium deposit that lodges in a blood vessel, preventing the flow of blood. If given within three hours, blood thinners and medications that dissolve clots can provide immediate relief for these strokes, potentially reducing damage to the brain and speeding recovery.
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain or the brain lining ruptures. This stops the flow of blood to the brain and floods the area with blood, which puts pressure on the brain. This is a very severe type of stroke that often leads to permanent brain injury or death. Surgery is required to relieve swelling and to repair the broken blood vessel. While the prognosis for this type of stroke can be grim, getting immediate treatment offers the best hope for survival and recovery.
Symptoms of a Stroke
The symptoms of a stroke include the following:
The faster someone with these symptoms gets emergency medical attention, the more likely that the person can be helped. Even quick episodes of these symptoms that clear up on their own are cause for immediate concern, as it could be a warning that a major stroke is soon to follow.
Recovery and Ongoing Issues
The prognosis for recovery depends on which parts of the brain were damaged, and how severely they were damaged. The first few months after a stroke are a crucial time for therapy to regain mental and physical skills.
Half of the victims of a stroke will have an ongoing disability six months later. Damage to speech function usually has the longest recovery time. A patient may also suffer from emotional problems, memory loss, weakened immune function and loss of motor skills. Statistics show that 14% of those who have had a stroke or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) will have another stroke within a year. Rehabilitation and proper care can help the patient recover lost functions and reduce the risk of future strokes.
 | While the major signs of a stroke for a woman are the same as those for a man, there are some symptoms that commonly appear in women that you should know. |
 | Symptoms of a massive stroke can strike without warning, and immediate medical treatment could mean the difference between life and death. |
Knowing the early warning signs of a stroke can help you save someone from death or permanent brain damage. |
Mild stroke symptoms should never be dismissed, because they could be a warning that a major stroke is imminent. Learn what to look for and what to do if these symptoms occur. |
Mini stroke symptoms are similar to those of a major stroke, but because they pass quickly, they might be ignored. Find out why medical treatment is essential, even if the person recovers quickly. |
