A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a part of the brain does not have adequate blood flow. Bleeding in the brain or a blocked artery are the two causes of a stroke. When there is insufficient and uninterrupted blood flow, the brain cells in the area begin to die due to a scarcity of vital oxygen. As per CDC, stroke is one of the biggest causes of death in the country.

Symptoms

• Speech and comprehension challenges that may lead to confusion
• A headache can occur alongside vomiting
• Partial or complete numbness and paralysis may affect the leg, arm, or face, usually on one
• Vision abnormalities that can manifest in one or both eyes
• Walking difficulties, accompanied by dizziness and impaired coordination

Stroke can result in long-term health issues. Depending on the pace of treatment and diagnosis, a person may endure permanent or temporary disabilities after a stroke.
In some people, stroke may also result in the following signs:

• Bowel or bladder control problems
• Weakness or paralysis in one or both sides of the body
• Inability to control or express the emotions
• Depression

The stroke symptoms usually vary from person to person and range in severity. Getting acquainted with the acronym ‘FAST’ is an excellent method to memorize stroke signs. Knowledge of the symptoms can help you get immediate treatment. FAST implies:

• Face drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to act: You must immediately contact emergency services if you notice these symptoms.

The results and recovery depend on how promptly one receives the treatment. Immediate care implies less probability of experiencing death or permanent brain damage.

Causes
Broadly, there are two types of stroke, and the causes depend on –

• Ischaemic stroke is when the blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked because of blood clots. It is the most prevalent stroke type.

Ischaemic strokes can be classified into:

• Thrombotic stroke – When a blockage or clot develops in the brain’s blood vessel.
• Embolic stroke – When a blood clot develops in any other body part, usually the heart, and goes on to block the blood vessel that takes blood to your brain.
• Hemorrhagic stroke – This is when the blood vessel walls in the brain break down suddenly, resulting in bleeding in the brain. Consequently, the brain fails to get the necessary nutrients and oxygen. Cerebral aneurysm is one of the top causes of this stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes can be classified into:

• Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when the artery bursts and bleeds in the brain.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage is when the bleeding occurs in the region surrounding the brain.

Treatment options
Doctors will advise the treatment depending on the stroke type. The most common treatment for ischemic stroke is the tPA, a clot buster, or alteplase. It dissolves or breaks the blood clots curtailing the blood flow to the brain.
In ischemic stroke, doctors may advise an endovascular catheter-based procedure, wherein a narrow, long tube is inserted via a blood vessel into the brain to eliminate the blood clot.
For hemorrhagic stroke, treatments involve ceasing any prescription treatments that trigger bleeding and controlling blood pressure. You may also get a blood transfusion with blood clotting factors to end the bleeding. Beyond this, you may also need surgery or an endovascular procedure to curtail and prevent further bleeding.