Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and the number one cause of chronic disability in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 6.2 million people die due to stroke each year, equating to one death every 10 seconds. Due to the high prevalence of many risk factors for stroke, including diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension and inactivityin Qatar’s population– the incidence of stroke is high in the country.
What is a stroke?
For the brain to function it needs a constant supply of blood to deliver vital nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells. A stroke occurs when this supply is impaired or cut off.
There are two main causes of stroke. The most common happens when a blockage forms in a blood vessel (ischemic stroke). This can be due to a number of factors:
• A blood clot forms in a main artery to the brain (sometimes called a cerebral thrombosis)
• A blockage, usually a blood clot from the heart, is carried in the bloodstream to one of the arteries supplying the brain (called a cerebral embolism)
• A blockage forms in the tiny blood vessels deep within the brain (called a lacunar stroke)
The other main type of stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain. This type of stroke is called a haemorrhagic stroke. There are two main causes of haemorrhagic stroke:
• A blood vessel bursts within the brain (an intracerebral haemorrhage)
• A blood vessel on the surface of the brain bursts, causing bleeding into the area between the brain and the skull (called a subarachnoid haemorrhage)
How does a stroke affect the body?
A stroke damages brain cells so they can no longer work properly. As a result, the areas of the body that the brain controls are also affected. The brain is like a computer, sending messages around the body to enable it to function. It is made up of two halves; the left and right hemisphere.
Each part of your brain has a specific job to do. In general, the right half of your brain controls the left side of your body and vice versa. For example, if you have a stroke and your right arm and leg are weak, then the stroke will have damaged the motor area in the left side of your brain. Specific areas of your brain also control your ability to move, speak and write. Other areas control your memory, emotions and vision.
In general, the effects of a stroke will depend on the following issues:
• Which part of the brain has been injured
• How big an area of the brain was damaged
• The person’s general health when the stroke happened
Symptoms
Strokes happen suddenly and cause an immediate effect on the body. A stroke may cause numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. It may cause slurring of speech and difficulty in finding words or understanding speech. Some people lose their sight or have blurred vision, and others become confused or unsteady. The symptoms of ischemic stroke are different depending on which blood vessels in the brain are affected.
Time is brain
The key to successful treatment following a stroke is speed. Fast and specialized medical intervention is the key to successful treatment for stroke patients. The sooner treatment is given to the patient, the better the chance that brain cells can be protected. Thrombolysis is a very effective treatment that can greatly increase a stroke patient’s chances of making a full recovery, but this must be given within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. For this reason, it is extremely important for people to be aware of the symptoms of stroke so they are able to quickly identify the problem and call 999 immediately.
Hamad Medical Corporation’s current awareness campaign uses the internationally-established F.A.S.T. message to highlight the major signs of stroke and reinforce the need to act quickly.
F – Face drooping: Has your face suddenly drooped on one side or do you have difficulty smiling?
A — Arm weakness: Are you unable to raise both arms?
S — Speech problems: Do you have difficulty speaking or being understood by other people?
T — Time is ticking: Call 999 immediately
Contributed by Hamad Medical Corporation
