Brain Stroke

What are the different types and causes of brain stroke?

Based on the causes, stroke is broadly classified into three types:

Ischaemic stroke: It is the most common type of stroke and is caused due to a blockade of a blood vessel. It can be further divided into:

• Thrombotic stroke: A blood clot or thrombus, formed due to fatty deposits or plaque or other artery conditions, blocks blood flow to the
• Embolic stroke: A blood clot or bubbles of gas formed in some other part of the body, travels to the brain.
• Transient ischaemic attack (TIA): In this relatively mild type of stroke, there is a temporary obstruction in blood flow to the brain.
  

  Hemorrhagic stroke: It is caused due to leakage or a bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. Such situations may arise due to cerebrovascular diseases like aneurysm, high blood pressure or medications that weaken the walls of the blood vessel etc.

How is brain stroke diagnosed?

The emergency medical team and neurologists can diagnose brain stroke by:

• Physical and neurological examination
• Blood tests
• Imaging
  • CT or MRI scan
  • Carotid ultrasound
  • Cerebral angiogram
  • Echocardiogram

Management of transient ischaemic attack stroke

Once diagnosed,preventive treatment begins within a day of the attack. Though TIA does not cause residual damage, it is still a neurologic emergency as the risk of recurrent strokes is high.

How long does it take to recover from brain stroke? What are the different rehabilitation programmes?

Depending upon the area of the brain affected, severity and time lapse between stroke and emergency treatment, brain stroke may lead to temporary or permanent disabilities. Hence, rehabilitation is required for optimal recovery from stroke. Rehabilitation programs constitute a team of specialists and rehabilitation therapists with focus on:

• Regaining strength
• Recovery of functions like speech, vision, balance, breathing etc
• Return to active living

To know more about brain stroke and its management, you can request a callback and our brain stroke specialist  will call you and answer all your queries.