Strokes (A Cerebrovascular Disease) By: Joe Hing Kwok Chu Two main types of stroke: obstruction or closure of of an artery bleeding due to the breakage of an artery
Definition and clinical diagnosis A stroke is an acute neurological dysfunction caused by interruption of blood supply to the focal brain area(s) because of vessel obstruction or breakage, with a sudden occurrence of sign and symptoms that correspond with areas of the brain. The symptoms can include blurry or double vision (diplopia), difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), loss of balance, speech difficulty, paralyses, and nausea or vomiting. Conditions that can be confused as TIAs or strokes post-epileptic paralysis (Todds's paralysis ) low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) migraine conversion disorder (psychological disorder that causes stiffening of the muscles) brain tumor drug overdose Bell's palsy ear infection
Stroke Warning Signs Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, speech slurred or face droopy Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Risk factors of strokes: .high blood pressure diabetes heart disease TIA obesity platelet hypercoagulability alcohol smoking high lipid levels hyperuricemia, infections genetic factors dropping of estrogen level previous stroke(s) high homocysteine level high blood viscosity stress stiffness of blood vessels
Emergency Handling of Stroke Patients Keep the patient cool. Lower the body temperature by 1~2 oF using ice water and ice pack while getting the patient to the nearest hospital. Lowering of body temperature can minimize brain damage. Qigong Therapy and prevention of strokes Acupuncture Therapy for stroke sequelae Herb Therapy for stroke sequelae Other site for information: Society of Geriatric of Cardiology Sponsors' Ads by Google: |