Stroke
By Katy Cromwell
Definition...
-Sudden disruption of blood flow to part of the brain.
-Brain cells suddenly die from lack of oxygen.Symptoms...
- SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
- SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.
(What is a TIA?)...
Possible Long Term Effects...
-Paralysis.
-Possible Death.
Causes...
-An artery to the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot.
-High-blood pressure
-High-blood cholesterol
-Obesity
-Smoking
-Excessive use of alcohol
-Physical Inactivity
-Diabetes
Prevention...
-Don't drink a lot
-STOP smoking
-Knowing and controlling your blood pressure
-Managing Stress
-Stay away from drugs
Treatment...
-Surgical blood vessel repair
-Rehab
-Physical, Operational, Speech, and Recreational therapy
Statistics...
-More than 140,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States
-Roughly 795,000 people suffer a stroke every year
-On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds
-More common in men... but, strokes lead to more deaths in women
-Aging increases your risk for a stroke
-Americans paid about $73.7 billion in 2010 for stroke-related medical costs, and disability
-4/5 families will have to deal with stroke at some point in their lifetime
Diagnosis...
-Ultrasound to indicate clotting
-CT Scan to show brain vessels
-MRI to see tissue damage
-Medical History and Physical Exams
-Various Heart Tests