Stroke - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

A stroke is an emergency condition where blood flow to the brain is either reduced or blocked or a blood vessel bursts. There is a lack of oxygen flow in the brain during a stroke, which can cause long-term damage over time.

People who suffer from stroke require immediate medical attention. Stroke is a major cause of death, but acting quickly can limit brain damage or prevent death. A stroke can cause temporary or permanent disability, depending on how long blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Let's know its types, symptoms, causes and prevention.

Type of Stroke

There are mainly four types of stroke –

• Ischemic
• Intracerebral Hemorrhage
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
• Mini-stroke

Symptoms of Stroke

Your body may send warning signs to you and those around you that you have a stroke. Generally given below are the major stroke symptoms.

• Sudden confusion
• Sudden numbness or weakness
• Sudden severe headache
• Sudden vision problems
• Sudden trouble walking
• Dizziness and loss of balance

Reasons for Stroke

Common causes of stroke come from blood vessels both outside and inside the brain. Read below the causes of stroke:

High blood pressure - This is the major factor for stroke.

Diabetes - Excess sugar in the blood causes fat deposits to form on the artery walls. This increases the chances of blood clots.

Heart disease - Blood clots can cause a stroke. Heart failure, defects or infections can also be factors.

High cholesterol - This causes fat to accumulate inside blood vessels, leading to blockage.

Lifestyle - Lifestyle habits that increase the risk of stroke include smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, physical inactivity, excessive drinking, obesity, illicit drug use, and an unhealthy diet.

Treatment of Stroke

People of all age groups can get a stroke. Let’s know the necessary stroke treatment and precautions to prevent the disease:

• Get timely diagnosis and treatment.
• Follow healthy living habits and control your other medical conditions.
• Quit smoking and alcohol, eat a healthy diet, and reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.
• Achieve a healthy weight.

'Act FAST'

When a stroke occurs, it is important to 'act fast’ to avoid it. The letters F, A, S and T are important reminders to follow if you think someone has a stroke.

F for face: Ask the person to smile. If the face droops to one side, it is a sign of a stroke.

A for arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. If one falls, it is a sign of a stroke.

S for Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. If speech is slurred or abnormal, it is a sign of a stroke.

T for Time: If you see any of these signs, rush the person to the hospital without wasting a minute.

Along with stroke treatment and precautions, you should also take good health insurance. Care Health Insurance introduces a Critical Illness Mediclaim policy that covers the treatment of critical conditions like stroke. Proceed to lead a healthier life by purchasing Critical Illness Mediclaim today and staying worry-free.

Disclaimer: The fulfilment of stroke claims is subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.