Understanding Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

2023-08-23 23:25:23
Stroke can basically manifest itself in two ways: ischemic or hemorrhagic.

Carlos “La Mona” Jiménez, the historic quartet singer, is facing health complications. According to the information revealed on Wednesday afternoon, the musician was admitted as an emergency to the Model Institute of Cardiology in Córdoba Capital during the morning. People close to the singer mentioned, in dialogue with Teleshow, that while he ate, he suffered dizziness and his mouth turned away. Likewise, according to sources close to the popular Cordovan musician, he could have experienced a stroke.

Although so far there are no official reports or communications from the family, from La Voz del Interior they assured that Natalia, the singer’s daughter, pointed out: “My father only came to the medical center to be checked, he is fine and they had to give him serum. It’s nothing serious, probably tonight they would discharge him. If it were serious, I wouldn’t be here.” While from the family environment they asked his fans and followers for prudence and tranquility, since in the next few hours there could be a medical report on his state of health.

This situation, which caused concern among the followers of the iconic artist and raised doubts about his state of health, puts on the table a pathology that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)annually affects 15 million people in the world, of which 5 million die and 5 million remain permanently with some type of disability.

Lorena, one of Mona Jiménez’s daughters, published a photo weeks ago with the singer after surgery (Instagram)

In that context, what is a stroke? A cerebrovascular accident can occur in two ways, the ischemic one that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving the brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients; and hemorrhagic, which occurs when an artery ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain.

The consequences, in certain cases, can be serious: brain cells begin to die in a matter of minutes. It is, then, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Fortunately, mortality from stroke has decreased in comparison, and effective treatments now exist that can prevent the resulting disability.

“An artery can get clogged due to wear and tear and hardening by cholesterol plaques, that is, its internal surface is rough and rough. This will favor the local formation of a cluster of blood particles and fibers, called thrombus, which will end up occluding it and generating a thrombosis. Sometimes, the thrombi come off dragged by the bloodstream and reach the small cerebral arteries, where they are abruptly embedded and obstruct circulation to generate an embolism,” neurologist Alejandro Andersson, director of the Institute of Neurology Buenos Aires, told Infobae. (INBA).

For signs of a stroke, such as difficulty smiling or raising your arms, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention and provide all relevant information to health personnel (Getty)

A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) manifests itself with a series of symptoms that can vary depending on the person and the region of the brain affected. Slurred speech, feeling numb or crooked in the face, losing strength, or having difficulty moving any part of the body are clear warning signs. Vision problems may also occur, such as blurred or double vision, and a sudden, severe headache. Other less common symptoms include dizziness, loss of balance and coordination, difficulty swallowing, and sudden loss of consciousness.

Prevention is the most powerful tool against stroke. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, overweight and obesity must be controlled. Dr. Yasmín Tenaglia, a family doctor and geriatrician at the Italian Hospital, previously stressed to Infobae “the importance of maintaining blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels in healthy ranges.”

The Italian Hospital specialist also warned that knowing the symptoms of a stroke “is vital, because early detection allows for a quick consultation at the hospital and thus having the option of receiving some treatments that can reduce the sequelae.”

Stroke treatment can range from anticoagulant medications to surgical interventions, depending on the nature and severity of the event (Getty)

Meanwhile, regular physical activity and a balanced diet are essential to reduce the risk of a stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 30 minutes of daily exercise or 150 minutes weekly. Diet also plays a crucial role: the suggestions indicate that half the plate should be made up of vegetables, a quarter by proteins and the other quarter by flours or legumes.

Dr. Andersson added that some of the main risk factors include advanced age, heart disease, smoking and alcoholism, among others. In turn, atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac arrhythmia, can significantly increase the risk of stroke. In this framework, it is essential to be informed and to carry out regular medical check-ups to identify and control these factors. In addition, a family history, recreational drug use, blood clotting disorders, and autoimmune diseases may also increase risk.

Types of stroke. There are two main categories of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. The first occurs when an artery is clogged, preventing blood circulation. Meanwhile, the second results from the rupture of an artery, causing bleeding in the brain. Both types have different causes, symptoms, and treatments, but share the same urgency for medical attention. It is vital to differentiate between the two in order to provide the appropriate treatment.

Post-stroke rehabilitation is a comprehensive process that involves physical, occupational and speech therapy, seeking to return the patient to as normal a life as possible (Getty)

Treatment and rehabilitation: the treatment of stroke seeks to restore blood flow in the case of ischemic patients and to control bleeding in hemorrhagic patients. Anticoagulant medications, such as aspirin, may be helpful in preventing blood clots in people at risk for ischemic stroke. In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the brain or stop the bleeding. Subsequently, rehabilitation is essential to help the patient recover functions and achieve as independent a life as possible. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are key components of this process.

What to do in case of stroke

When a stroke is suspected, it is vital to seek immediate medical attention. A simple test can help: ask the person to smile, raise both arms and repeat a simple phrase. If he shows difficulties, it is essential to call 911. The speed of care can be decisive in the recovery of the patient. In addition, it is essential to inform the medical staff about any medications that the patient is taking and about any pre-existing medical conditions.

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