Hypertension: The main risk factor for bleeding in the brain.
Cerebral aneurysms: Weaknesses in the walls of blood vessels. Head trauma and vascular malformations. Other risk factors include smoking, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Stroke treatment: How does it work?
Treatment for a stroke depends on the type of stroke and how quickly the patient arrives at the hospital. Let’s look at the most common treatments.
Treatment of ischemic stroke
: Thrombolysis: Administration of anticoagulant medications, such as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), to dissolve the clot. This treatment is most effective when started within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Mechanical thrombectomy: A procedure to mechanically remove a blood clot from large arteries, with the greatest success rate up to 24 hours after the first signs appear.
Treatment of hemorrhagic stroke:
Blood pressure control: Essential to limit bleeding.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the accumulated blood or repair the ruptured vessel.
Furthermore, rehabilitation is crucial after a stroke. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help the patient regain motor, cognitive, and speech functions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stroke
1. What can be done to relieve the symptoms of a stroke?
After a stroke, the main focus is rehabilitation, with physical therapy to regain strength and movement, as well as strict control of risk factors such as blood pressure and glucose levels to prevent further strokes.
2. What is the best medication to treat a stroke?
In the case of an ischemic stroke, the drug tPA can dissolve the clot if administered quickly. Anticoagulants such as aspirin and warfarin are used to prevent further strokes. In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, strict blood pressure control is essential.
3. What are the benefits of rehabilitation after a stroke?
Rehabilitation helps restore mobility, speech, and independence. The sooner it begins, the greater the chances of functional recovery.
4. How does hormone replacement therapy work in the treatment of a stroke? Although hormone therapy is not used directly to treat stroke, it is important to control hormonal factors, such as diabetes and hypertension, that can increase the risk of another stroke.
What should you do if you identify symptoms of a stroke?
If you or someone close to you experiences any of these symptoms, it’s essential to act quickly. Follow the steps below:
Call 192 (Emergency Medical Service): Time is crucial. The faster the medical attention, the greater the chances of recovery.
Keep the person calm: Help the person sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Note the time: Record the time when the symptoms started. This is important so that doctors can determine the appropriate treatment.
Do not administer medication: Do not give aspirin or any other medication unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional.
Recognizing the signs of a stroke can save lives. Every minute without treatment increases the risk of permanent damage. Therefore, it is vital that you know and understand these symptoms so that you can act quickly and effectively. Share this information with friends and family so that everyone is prepared to recognize a possible stroke.
With this knowledge, you will be better prepared to handle this medical emergency and help save a life.
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, it is essential to have an assessment by SAMU (Emergency Medical Service), which consists of the following steps:
S (smile): Ask the person to smile. During a stroke, one side of the face may not move correctly, resulting in an asymmetrical smile.
A (hug): Ask the person to raise both arms as if to give you a hug. In the case of a stroke, one of the arms may not move or may fall off.
M (music): Ask the person to sing a song. A stroke can make speech difficult, resulting in slurred speech.
U (urgent): If the person is unable to perform these actions, call SAMU immediately at 192.
People who have suffered a stroke are usually unable to perform these tasks. If this happens, it is vital to place the victim on their side in a safe location and call emergency services (SAMU) at 192. Observe whether the victim continues to breathe normally. If breathing stops, begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Symptoms of a Silent Stroke
The main signs of a silent stroke, or microangiopathy, include progressive memory loss without affecting daily functions, difficulty or inability to walk, and changes in speech. Microangiopathy is a progressive vascular disease caused by small lesions in the brain that affect its functioning.
Stroke Symptoms in Women
In addition to the classic stroke symptoms, stroke in women can present with additional symptoms, such as:
Generalized weakness
, hallucinations, mental confusion, agitation or disorientation,
shortness of breath or hiccups
, seizures,
loss of consciousness or fainting.
If you experience these symptoms, it is essential to go to the emergency room immediately or call the emergency services (SAMU) at 192 to start treatment as quickly as possible.
Possible consequences of a stroke:
The main impacts of a stroke include neurological deficits, difficulty communicating or understanding instructions, problems walking, dressing or eating without help, changes in alertness, or even coma.
The after-effects can be temporary or very serious, varying according to the severity of the stroke, the region of the brain affected, and the type of stroke—ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Ischemic stroke, stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, stroke treatment, post-stroke rehabilitation, stroke symptoms, stroke prevention, causes of stroke
