One Strike and Your Out

As I said in an earlier post, my life changed 'in the blink of an eye'. These posts in my blog, are me, trying to tell the uninitiated, what it is like to have a stroke and to live with one afterward, so, the time has come for me to let you in to my medical world.

This article comes from bettermedicine.com web site in the US but it is a pretty good one, so, here we go....My principal diagnosis was as follows: (L) Basal Ganglia Haematoma with (R) dense Hemiplegia - subsequent right-sided weakness and global dysphasia.

What is stroke?

Stroke, also called brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Disruption in blood flow is caused when either a blood clot blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain (ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues (hemorrhagic stroke).* The sort that I had.

The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Even a brief interruption in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. The area of dead cells in tissues is called an infarct. Due to both the physical and chemical changes that occur in the brain with stroke, damage can continue to occur for several days. This is called a stroke-in-evolution.

A loss of brain function occurs with brain cell death. This may include impaired ability with movement, speech, thinking and memory, bowel and bladder, eating, emotional control, and other vital body functions. Recovery from stroke and the specific ability affected depends on the size and location of the stroke.* A small stroke may result in problems such as weakness in an arm or leg. Larger strokes may cause paralysis (inability to move part of the body), loss of speech, or even death.* What I had in the beginning. 

   What are the different types of stroke?
Strokes can be classified into two main categories:

• 87 percent are ischemic strokes - strokes caused by blockage of an artery.
• 13 percent are hemorrhagic strokes - strokes caused by bleeding.*My type
  

  What is a hemorrhagic stroke?

  Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel that supplies the brain ruptures and bleeds. When an artery bleeds into the brain, brain cells and tissues do not receive oxygen and nutrients. In addition, pressure builds up in surrounding tissues and irritation and swelling occur. About 13 percent of strokes are caused by hemorrhage. Hemorrhagic strokes are divided into two main categories, including the following:

• intracerebral hemorrhage - bleeding from the blood vessels within the brain.
• subarachnoid hemorrhage - bleeding in the subarachnoid space (the space between the brain and the membranes that cover the brain).*The type that I had
  What is asubarachnoid hemorrhage 
  Subarachnoid hemorrhage results when bleeding occurs between the brain and the meninges (the membrane that covers the brain) in the subarachnoid space. This type of hemorrhage is often due to an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
  
  
  An aneurysm is a weakened, ballooned area on an artery wall and has a risk for rupturing. Aneurysms may be congenital (present at birth), or may develop later in life due to such factors as hypertensionor atherosclerosis.
  
  
  An AVM is a congenital disorder that consists of a disorderly tangled web of arteries and veins. The cause of AVM is unknown.
  • http:/www.bettermedicine.com/topic/stroke
    *Thank you to the 'bettermedicine' website.