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A stroke or brain attack occurs when the blood supply to the brain stops. Cells in the brain begin to die within only a few minutes of no oxygen supply. This can hamper various body functions and basic movements such as:

1. Movement
2. Eating
3. Speaking
4. Thinking or remembering things
5. Control over your bowel or bladder
6. Control over your emotions
7. Control other vital body functions.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time of any age bracket. To understand what it is and the stroke risk factors, it is also necessary to understand the types of strokes that can occur:

●      Ischemic stroke: One of the most common types of strokes that occur. Usually caused by clots in the blood vessels. These clots can be formed either by a blood clot, cholesterol or fatty deposits called plaque.

●      Hemorrhagic stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel bursts in your brain adding pressure to the overall brain and nearby tissues. This causes more tension and irritation.

Symptoms of Stroke:

Understanding the symptoms is as crucial as knowing what a stroke is. Moving on, let's learn about the various symptoms one experiences during a stroke. As mentioned earlier, a stroke occurs when there is a blood clot or blockage in the blood vessels that prevent oxygen supply to reach the brain. This leads to brain cells dying and lack of control over basic body functions.

Few symptoms of brain stroke are as follows:

●      Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg (usually observed on one side of the body)

●      Having trouble speaking or understanding basic instructions

●      Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both the eyes.

●      Dizziness or difficulty with balance and coordination

●      Problems with basic movements such as walking or raising hands

●      Fainting (loss of consciousness) or seizure

●      Severe headaches with no known cause, especially if they happen suddenly

Few rare symptoms that may occur are:

●      Sudden nausea or vomiting ( not caused by any present illness)

●      Brief loss or change of consciousness, such as fainting, confusion, seizures, or coma

●      Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA), called mini-strokes

Stroke risk factors:

Before moving forward, it is important to note that strokes can happen to anyone at any age. Some risk factors can be managed while some cannot. The best neurologist in Bangalore who work at Trust-in Hospital, a multispeciality hospital in Bangalore agree upon the following stroke risk factors:

Risk factors that can be managed, treated or changed medically :

●      High Blood Pressure - High BP can increase the pressure of the blood being pumped through vessels.

●      Heart Disease - Blockages in the heart valves can lead to stroke.

●      Diabetes - Those with diabetes are at a higher risk of getting a stroke as compared to those who don’t have diabetes.

●      Smoking - As all are aware of the disastrous effects smoking has on our lungs, it can create massive blocks as well.

●      History of TIAs- TIAs are minor strokes which have similar symptoms as a stroke, but don’t last as long. If one has a history of TIAs, there is a possibility of them getting it again.

●      High Red Blood Cells Count - This is because higher count can lead to blood clots in the vessels which lead to blockages and ultimately stroke.

●      High Cholesterol Levels and Lipids- Maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol and lipid profiles can aid in reducing your chances of getting a stroke.

Stroke risk factors that cannot be avoided: 

●      Age - Old age is among the few factors that aid in causing a stroke which cannot be avoided. Those above the age of 65, increase their chances with every passing decade.

●      History of prior stroke- If one has a history of prior strokes, they are almost likely to get another one.

●      Heredity or Genetics - If someone in the family has had a history of it, it is likely you might be prone to the same.

Treatment:

The first course of treatment for any symptoms of stroke observed in self or a loved one is to immediately call the ambulance. The ideal team of doctors who can aid this path of recovery work at one of the best hospital in Bangalore - Trust-in Hospital. It is a multispeciality hospital with over 15+ departments and a highly skilled team of neurologist in Bangalore. They provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all under one roof. With their skilled team, they offer a complete patient-centric service that allows the patient to be stress-free through any procedure with complete trust on their doctors.

Keeping in mind the critical situation of patients who come in with symptoms of stroke, the first few steps taken by doctors are:

●      CT Scan of the brain

●      MRI

●      CTA (Computed Tomographic Angiography)

●      MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)

●      Doppler sonography (Carotid Ultrasound)

Based on the results of the above tests, neurologist in Bangalore will draft a treatment plan best suitable for you based on the following factors:

1. Your age, overall health, and past health
2. The type of stroke you experienced
3. Severity of your stroke
4. Where the stroke originated
5. Cause of your stroke
6. How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
7. What course you prefer or is better suitable for you.

Conclusion:

Covering all points of stroke, it is essential to understand the critical aspect of this disease. The faster one acts upon them, higher are the chances of survival. Another factor is a good team of doctors who attend to you during this difficult time. As mentioned earlier, if you observe any symptoms of stroke in someone closeby, contact Trust-in Hospital, the best hospital in Bangalore for their quick response and hassle-free ambulance service at +91-80-45174949.

Author Profile: 

Trust-in Hospital is a major multi-specialty medical hospital in Bangalore. Its mission is to provide high-quality, personalized healthcare to patients. The best and most skilled specialists work at this cutting-edge hospital. It integrates advanced medical technologies and modern infrastructure to provide comprehensive and cost-effective care to both outpatients and inpatients using a multidisciplinary approach.