Introduction.
The brain is the engine room that controls all the body's activities, it does that through the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down to the body parts they innervate.
Sroke or cerebrovascular accident is a condition presented when there is loss, reduction or interruption of blood supply to the brain tissues.
Types of stroke
There are basically three types of stroke, viz;
- Haemorrhagic stroke
- Ischaemic stroke
- Transient ischaemic stroke
Haemorrhagic stroke: is a type of stroke condition in which there is a rupture of the blood vessel that supplies the brain. Haemorrhagic stroke is the most dangerous type of stroke.
Here;
- There is reduction in the brain's blood supply.
- There is bleeding in the brain causing increased intracranial pressure.
Ischaemic stroke: this type of stroke is due to obstruction kf blood supply to the brain caused by the formation if thrombosis or narrowing of the blood vessel that supplies the brain.
Transient ischaemic stroke: this is a temporal blockage of the blood vessel that supplies the brain and it resolves on its own within 24 hours.
Signs and Sympthoms of stroke
- Muscle paralysis of the affected side.
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty in speaking
- Slurred speech
- Loss of touch sensation
- Loss of balance
- Loss of cordination
Causes of stroke
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
Risk factors of stroke
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
- Lack of exercise
- Overweight
- High body cholesterol
- Age
- Artrul fibrillation (irregular heart beat)
Prevention of stroke
- Regularly check your blood pressure and know your numbers
- Maintain healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Choose a low-fat, and high-fibre diet
- Reduce salt from your diet
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Take antihypertensive medications if you are hypertensive.