STROKE

Stroke is popularly believed by people to be any form of breakdown the body system suffers especially where paralysis occur but Medically, stroke refers to the sudden onset of a group of systems that follows an attack on the nervous (brain) system which eventually affects the sensation, movements, speech, vision and some other activities of some part of the body, it often times affects an entire side of the body from face down to the leg. It occurs due to factors that affect the blood or may be due to a diseased or degenerated blood vessel which finally gives way and releases blood all over the brain tissue.

Sometimes it is caused by sudden damage of the brain blood vessel often due to an internal or external force or pressure from a tumuor or growth within the brain.

A rare type of stroke occur due to exposure to severe or extreme heat on the brain from the sun, this is known as Sun-Stroke.

Stroke can be categorised into different types depending on the severity of the attack, the origin or cause, the site of the brain affected and the general health condition of the person involved. 

TYPE I: This may just be a temporal transient attack of weakness and numbness of the muscles which lasts for a few minutes to some hours in which case the person may ignore it even though it could be a warning sign of existing damage or danger.
TYPE II: This has the same symptoms as above but they last longer into days, the person may gradually recovers normal strength with little medical management.
TYPE III: Progressive symptoms of partial paralysis which lingers on for a longer period and responds well to proper management rehabilitation approach, if detected and handled promptly.
TYPE IV: In this case the person comes down with complete stroke and complete loss of sensation of one side of the body including the face with loss of speech, drooping eyes and inability to move the limbs and sometimes with accompanying loss of consciousness.

Some predisposing factors or health disorders that encourages the risk of stroke include -

• Severe and uncontrolled high blood pressure (Hypertension) 
• Fat deposits in the blood vessels (Arteriosclerosis)
• Various kinds of heart diseases
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking habits etc.

These conditions weakens the blood vessels and subjects them to damage when they are under pressure or vibration.
The onset of stroke comes with symptoms of headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion and lack of coordination which may drift into distorted speech, convulsion movements, loss of sensation, unconsciousness and paralysis of either side of the body which may linger for days, weeks, months or even years. Sudden death is not common with attack of stroke but the condition can be very alarming, distressing and demanding to both the patient and all those concerned with care and management. Acute and emergency care is required from the onset of the attack to ensure the victim does not degenerate into more dangerous situations. Competent medical attention is therefore very necessary until the person is out of the very acute stage, then other rehabilitation management is introduced. Family members have to be educated and encourage on their required role in the continuous care of the victim when out of the hospital as it may demand a lot of patient and co-operation. Passive exercise will help to reactivate the nerves, as with every other health disorder, early detention of predisposing factors and their signs is very important. Periodic health check-ups for adults from the age of 40 - 45 years is necessary to detect and treat any degenerating condition that could lead to stroke. 

Never ignore warning signs and keep yourself informed. go for regular blood and pressure check. STAY HEALTHY. 

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