Stroke

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A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when a portion of the brain is deprived of oxygen due to a clogged artery or burst blood vessel. Without oxygen, the brain tissue and nerve cells can suffer permanent damage. A "mini-stroke," or TIA (transient ischemic attack), has the same symptoms as a stroke but lasts only a few minutes. A TIA is an important warning sign of a possible stroke.

Risk factors for stroke divide into two categories: controllable and uncontrollable. Factors that are controllable include high blood pressure, heart disease, cigarette smoking and diabetes. Uncontrollable risks include a family history of stroke, increasing age and male gender.

If you notice any of the following signs, get emergency medical help immediately:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden mental confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or trouble with walking.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Stroke treatments include:

• Surgery - Blockages in clogged neck arteries can sometimes be removed surgically.
• Medication - "Clot-busting" drugs such as streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may be effective in dissolving blood clots in the brain if treatment is started within a few hours after the stroke has occurred.
• Rehabilitation - Even though most stroke recovery occurs spontaneously in the first 30 days, rehabilitation can help reduce dependence and improve physical ability, even in people who have been severely affected.

• Keep high blood pressure under control.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce your risk factors for heart disease.
• Take aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin) or Ticlid (ticlopidine) to reduce the likelihood of blood clots if your doctor advises or prescribes them.
• Keep your blood sugar within acceptable levels.