O stroke (stroke) or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) it is considered the second leading cause of death in the world and the first in Brazil. In addition to being often lethal, stroke is a disease that causes incapacity of various dimensions in the affected person, and is therefore a serious health problem.
Stroke occurs when part of the brain fails to be irrigated, either because of a blockage of a blood vessel or its rupture. It is a disease that mainly affects people of advanced age (over 60 years), however it can affect children and adolescents.
We can classify stroke, according to its cause, in: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is characterized by interruption of blood flow in the brain, usually associated with the presence of clots or atherosclerotic plaque. The hemorrhagic type, on the other hand, occurs due to blood leakage due to a rupture of a blood vessel, which may occur, for example, by the rupture of a aneurysm. The main type of stroke is ischemic, occurring in about 80% of cases.
There is also the AIT, the transient ischemic attack. It is similar to a stroke, but it lasts for a shorter time and does not cause injuries. The patient has symptoms such as numbness and paralysis, which in general do not last longer than an hour. Because the symptoms soon disappear, the doctor is often not consulted. However, researches prove that a true stroke occurs in 30% of cases after up to two days of TIA.
It's important to watch out for some symptoms! If you or someone close to you feels part of your body suddenly paralyzed or numb, difficulty speaking and understanding, pain extremely strong and unexpected head, vision loss or double vision, in addition to memory loss, it is necessary to immediately look for a doctor. Remember that prompt treatment is the key to avoiding potential disability. Doctors claim that care for up to 4 and a half hours after the onset of symptoms increases the chances of getting a good response to the treatments, that is, it reduces the risk of serious injuries.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
Stroke can have different dimensions, in some cases not leaving sequelae and, in others, leading to death. Usually the changes observed after a stroke are related to motor activities, loss of sensitivity of some parts of the body, difficulty in speaking, loss of vision and impairment of memory.
When you get to the doctor with symptoms, tests such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging should be performed. These tests have as main objective to confirm the diagnosis, identify the type of stroke, and check the area affected by the disease.
Treatment differs according to the type of stroke identified. When the stroke is ischemic, medications are used to dissolve the clots or they are removed by catheter. When the stroke is hemorrhagic, usually the treatment is surgical with techniques that remove extravasated blood from the brain.
Some people are more likely to have a stroke because they have some of the risk factors. Among the factors that contribute to stroke, we can highlight: high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, genetic coagulation diseases, advanced age and history of CVA
After the stroke, the patient will need to be monitored by a multidisciplinary team so that the recovery is satisfactory, and the involvement of friends and family is also important. A physiotherapist will be extremely important in cases where there has been impairment of motor functions. An occupational therapist can be helpful in ensuring greater independence for the patient. Speech therapy can help in cases of speech disorders. Finally, a psychologist can help with acceptance and encourage rehabilitation after stroke.
by Vanessa dos Santos
Master in Biology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "Stroke (CVA)"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/acidente-vascular-cerebral.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
