Stroke
Q: My grandfather just recently had a severe stroke. How do I explain to my children what a stroke is and how it could be prevented and treated?
Affinity's medical expert is Dr. Mossadiq Jaffri, a neurologist with Affinity Medical Group in Oshkosh and Menasha.
A: A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, resulting in tissue death. A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack.” There are two types of stroke. Ischemic stroke is the most common and accounts for about 83 percent of all cases. This type of stroke occurs when fatty deposits line the vessel walls. A second major cause of stroke, which accounts for 17 percent of strokes, is called hemorrhagic stroke. It results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain.
Stroke is a medical emergency. Have your loved ones be well aware of warning signs of a stroke. The best way to remember warning signs is by the acronym FAST. This indicates:
Face – Can the person smile or is one side of their face droopy?
Arms – Can they lift both arms up above their head and hold them there?
Speech – Is speech slurred or are they having trouble finding the correct words?
Test – Check all three symptoms
If you notice anyone experiencing these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately! Time lost is brain lost!
There are many ways to reduce or prevent the risk of a stroke. Having a healthy diet can help decrease high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and excess body weight. If you are high risk, your LDL “bad” cholesterol should be lower than 100 mg/dL. Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes on most or all days. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, be sure to monitor your blood pressure on a daily basis. Smoking also increases your chance of a stroke. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant are two effective ways of preventing recurrent strokes.
There are new treatments available at Affinity Health System. An acute treatment of stroke is an actively pursued area of research. Major advances presently include early diagnosis by using state-of-the-art imaging studies, clot busting medication such as TPA, use of intracranial ultrasound for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, hypothermia for neuro protection and stents for vascular patency. Rehabilitation and medical care treatments are provided for post-stroke patients. The community also plays a huge role in helping to prevent and treat a stroke. They offer education and advocacy at local and national levels including education in blood pressure management, treatments of high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking cessation and diet and exercise programs through community based programs.
