Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. In the United States, it is the fourth highest cause of death and the leading cause of disability. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die.
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can’t reach the region that controls a particular body function, then that part of the body won’t work as it should.
There are three different types of stroke. When the blood flow is blocked by a clot it is called an ischemic stroke – 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. When a blood vessel ruptures and blood flow to a portion of the brain is interrupted it is called a hemorrhagic stroke. The last type of stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini stroke. TIAs are caused by a temporary clot. These mini strokes should be taken very seriously as they are a symptom a bigger stroke may be around the corner.
The effects of a stroke depend on the location of the blockage and the amount of brain tissue affected. Because one side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, a stroke affecting one side of the brain will result in limited activity on the opposite side of body. If a stroke happens in one of the following areas, some or all of these problems might occur:
· Right Brain: Paralysis on the left side of the body; vision problems; quick, inquisitive behavioral style; and memory loss.
· Left Brain: Paralysis on the right side of the body; speech and/or language problems; slow, cautious behavioral style; and memory loss.
· Brain Stem: Affect both sides of the body and can cause coordination difficulties.
Some of the risk factors associated with a stroke that can’t be changed include:
· Age: The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55.
· Heredity (family history): The stroke risk is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister or brother had a stroke.
· Race: African-Americans have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than Caucasians. This is partly because this group tends to have higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
· Gender: Stroke is more common in men than in women.
· Prior stroke, TIA or heart attack: The risk of stroke for someone who already had a stroke is many times than that of a person who has not.
Stroke risk factors that can be changed or decreased:
- Monitoring and controlling high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.
- Tobacco use.
- Weight loss.
- Eating habits.
If you or someone you know has had a stroke, help and support are available. Speech language pathologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists have the training and skills to help stroke patients live life to the fullest. For more information on treatment options for stroke patients or FMC’s new stroke support group, call 928-773-2125 or visit FlagstaffMedicalCenter.com/OurServices/Therapy Services. FBN
Kim Allen, M.S., C.C.C.-S.L.P., is the lead speech language pathologist in Flagstaff Medical Center’s Therapy Services. She specializes in voice and swallowing conditions and her treatment philosophy is to educate, motivate and provide the patient with the tools for recovery.