Stroke Patients Questions And Answers With Complete Solutions

ischemia part of the brain that results in death of brain cells; lack of perfusion results in lack of oxygen and nutrients (brain cannot be deprived more than 3-4 minutes before injury occurs) What determines the manifestations of the brain ischemia? effects dependent on location and severity penumbra around the core of ischemia is a border of decreased blood flow; this level of ischemia is potentially reversible; however, you have to work quickly to restore oxygen and nutrients to this area cause of ischemia result from inadequate blood flow to the brain from partial or complete occlusion of an artery types of ischemia 1. thrombotic 2. embolic 3. hemorrhagic (intracerebral and subarachnoid) thrombotic ischemia presence of a blood clot that leads to an occlusion embolic ischemia loose plague, air, long bone fracture (fat embolus) causes ischemia hemorrhagic stroke result from bleeding into the brain tissue or into the subarachnoid space two types of hemorrhagic strokes 1. Intracerebral hemorrhage 2. Subarachnoid hemorrhage signs and symptoms of a stroke -Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body -Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding -Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes -Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination -Sudden, severe headache with no known cause non-modifiable risk factors for strokes 1. age (more commonly seen in those over the age of 65: more plague buildup) 2. gender (more women die from strokes: pregnancy and oral contraceptives put one more at risk) 3. race (African Americans are more at risk) 4. heredity/family history modifiable risk factors for strokes -Hypertension (increased pressure in the vessels) -Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome (thickened blood and stasis) -Heart Disease (faulty perfusion) -Heavy alcohol consumption (changes the composition of cells) -Poor diet -Obesity -Drug abuse