What is a Stroke?
Stroke is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted or reduced due to blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke).
Without blood supply, the brain will not receive oxygen and nutrients, so cells in some areas of the brain will die.
This condition causes the part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain to not function properly.
Stroke is an emergency condition that needs to be treated immediately because brain cells can die in just a matter of minutes.
Quick and appropriate treatment can minimize the level of brain damage and prevent possible complications.
Symptoms of Stroke Disease
Each part of the brain is responsible for controlling different parts of the body, so stroke symptoms depend on which part of the brain is affected and the extent of the damage.
That is why stroke symptoms can vary from person to person. However, strokes usually occur suddenly.
At least, there are three main symptoms of stroke that are easy to recognize, namely:
- One side of the face will appear to droop and the sufferer will be unable to smile because the mouth or eyes appear to droop.
- The sufferer is unable to lift one arm because it feels weak or numb. Not only the arm, the leg on the same side as the arm also experiences weakness.
- Speech becomes unclear, confused, or even unable to speak at all even though the sufferer appears conscious.
Meanwhile, other symptoms and signs of stroke are:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Severe headache that comes suddenly, accompanied by stiffness in the neck and dizziness as if spinning (vertigo).
- Experiencing decreased consciousness.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) resulting in choking.
- Having problems with balance and coordination.
- Experiencing sudden loss of vision or double vision.
Risk Factors for Stroke Disease
There are three factors that increase a person’s risk of having a stroke, namely health factors, lifestyle, and other factors. In addition to stroke, these factors also increase the risk of heart attack.
The health risk factors include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Heart disease, such as heart failure, congenital heart disease, heart infection, or arrhythmia
- Sleep Apnea
- Have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or heart attack before
Meanwhile, lifestyle risk factors include:
- Smoke.
- Lack of exercise or physical activity.
- Consumption of illegal drugs.
- Alcohol addiction.
Meanwhile, some conditions that are included in other risk factors are:
- Hereditary factors. Someone with a family member who has had a stroke has a higher risk of experiencing the same disease.
- Age factor. As a person gets older, the risk of having a stroke is also higher compared to younger people.
Causes of Stroke
Based on the cause, stroke is divided into two types, namely:
1. Ischemic stroke
Ischemic stroke occurs when the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the brain become narrowed, causing blood flow to the brain to be greatly reduced.
This condition is also called ischemia. Ischemic stroke can be further divided into 2 types, thrombotic stroke and embolic stroke.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke
This stroke condition occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding. Bleeding in the brain can be triggered by several conditions that affect blood vessels.
For example, uncontrolled hypertension, weak blood vessel walls, and undergoing treatment with blood thinners. Hemorrhagic stroke is divided into two types, namely intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Diagnosis of Stroke Disease
In order to determine the right type of treatment for stroke sufferers, the doctor will first evaluate the type of stroke and the area of the brain that experienced the stroke.
As an initial step in diagnosis, the doctor will ask the sufferer or their family members about several things, including:
- Symptoms experienced, when symptoms first appeared, and what the sufferer was doing when the symptoms appeared.
- Types of medications currently being taken.
- Has the sufferer ever had a head injury?
- Check the patient’s and family’s medical history for heart disease, mini-strokes (TIAs), and strokes.
Next, the doctor will perform a complete physical examination of the patient. Usually, the examination begins by checking blood pressure, heart rate, and abnormal noises in the blood vessels of the neck using a stethoscope.
Then, the doctor will also recommend carrying out supporting examinations such as:
1. Blood test
This test is done to check for infection, blood sugar levels, risk of blood clots, and to determine the electrolyte balance in the blood.
2. CT scan
To find out the condition of the brain in more detail. In addition, CT scans also help doctors find out whether or not there is a tumor or bleeding in the brain.
3. MRI
This examination is carried out to obtain a more detailed picture of the sufferer’s brain.
This test can also help doctors find brain tissue that has been damaged by bleeding or ischemic stroke.
4. Electrocardiography
An examination carried out to determine electrical activity in the heart organ.
This test can help doctors find heart rhythm abnormalities, an indication of coronary heart disease that can occur with stroke.
5. Echocardiography
The examination is carried out to detect the source of the clot in the heart and to check the function of the heart pump.
This is because clots can shift from the heart’s blood vessels to the part of the brain that triggers a stroke.
6. Carotid Doppler USG
The examination is carried out by using sound waves to produce a more detailed image of blood flow in the carotid arteries in the neck.
The aim is to detect the presence of plaque or fat buildup and conditions in the bloodstream.
Stroke Treatment
The specific treatment given to stroke sufferers depends on the type of stroke they experience, whether it is an ischemic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke.
1. Treatment of ischemic stroke
Initial treatment will focus on maintaining the airway, controlling blood pressure, and restoring blood flow.
2. Treatment of hemorrhagic stroke
Meanwhile, in cases of hemorrhagic stroke, initial treatment aims to reduce pressure on the brain and control bleeding.
There are several forms of treatment that can be carried out, including taking medication and surgery.
3. TIA Treatment
TIA treatment aims to reduce risk factors that can trigger stroke, so that heart disease can be prevented.
In some cases, a carotid endarterectomy surgical procedure is necessary if there is a buildup of fat in the carotid artery.
Stroke Complications
Stroke can cause a variety of complications, most of which are fatal. Some of the complications that may arise include:
1. Deep vein thrombosis.
Some stroke sufferers will experience blood clots in the legs which can lead to paralysis.
This condition, known as deep vein thrombosis, occurs due to the cessation of leg muscle movement, so that the flow of blood in the leg veins is disrupted. This increases the risk of blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis can be treated with anticoagulant drugs.
2. Hydrocephalus
Some people with hemorrhagic stroke may experience hydrocephalus, which is the accumulation of fluid in the cavities deep in the brain (ventricles).
A neurosurgeon will insert a tube into the brain to drain the accumulated fluid.
3. Problems swallowing (dysphagia)
Damage caused by stroke can interfere with the swallowing reflex or dysphagia. As a result, food and drink are at risk of entering the respiratory tract.
Without treatment, dysphagia can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Stroke Prevention
The main way to prevent stroke is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. In addition, recognize and avoid existing risk factors and follow the doctor’s advice. Various stroke prevention measures include:
1. Maintain a diet
Consuming too much salty and fatty foods can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood and the risk of hypertension which can trigger stroke.
Therefore, avoid foods that contain a lot of salt.
Furthermore, recommended foods are foods that are rich in unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins, and fiber.
All of these nutrients can be obtained from vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and low-fat meats such as skinless chicken breast.
2. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can make your heart and circulatory system work more efficiently. It can also lower cholesterol levels and keep your weight and blood pressure at healthy levels.
3. Stop smoking
Smokers are twice as likely to have a stroke. Because smoking can narrow blood vessels and make blood clot easily.
Not smoking means reducing the risk of various other health problems, such as lung and heart disease.
4. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages contain high calories. If consumed excessively, a person is susceptible to various diseases that trigger strokes, such as diabetes and hypertension.
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can also cause an irregular heartbeat.
5. Avoid using narcotics and psychotropic substances
Some types of narcotics, psychotropic, and addictive substances (NAPZA) can cause narrowing of the arteries and reduce blood flow.