The brain is one of the most important vital organs of our body. Its function, regulating the whole nervous system is what allows us to stay alive. Therefore, when a problem, act quickly is the only way that the patient survives.
This is the case stroke, a term which, according to Jose Alvarez, coordinator of Cerebrovascular Diseases Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology, “encompasses all diseases affecting the brain that are due to a circulatory problem.
Like any condition that affects blood circulation, stroke becomes a serious health problem. When we talk about this disease we can refer either to a stroke, “when it blocks an artery and blood well irrigated” or cerebral hemorrhage, which occurs when “the artery tears and blood invades the brain “explains Dr. Alvarez. These conditions are also known as thrombosis and embolism, when a heart attack or stroke to refer to bleeding.
The main reasons point to that age can be a constraint, since, although it can occur in anyone, “is more common with advancing age,” said the expert. To this we must add that if you have some other disease such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or if you have high cholesterol, are also more vulnerable.
Currently being considered figures of around 130,000 cases annually just in Spain, although it is estimated that there may be a million living patients, which is a high survival. However, “Stroke is the leading cause of death in men and the second for women, being also the main cause of disability in the adult,” said Jose Alvarez.
Time, a key factor in healing
When speaking of a heart attack, we all understand that it is an emergency that requires hospital care immediately. The same applies to cases of stroke, being much more hopeful the chances of recovery when treated in the early hours. Therefore, if we be having a stroke, we should “go as soon as possible to a health center there is a neurologist specializing in vascular disease,” says the specialist.
The signals that can make us believe that we suffer are quite similar for both types of stroke, “shows a weak force in the middle, accompanied by a loss of sensitivity and difficulty in speaking and understanding what we are told,” lists Álvarez. Furthermore, it also may be a sudden loss of vision, dizziness or incoordination and general intense headache.
“A third of people who survive a stroke have consequences.” It’s the sad statistic that gives us the doctor, still very common to find paralysis, loss of strength on one side of the body and continued symptoms of fatigue, balance problems and cognitive impairment in patients.
However, as with everything, prevention is cure. Thus, people who are in risk groups, should bear in mind control their health constantly. The expert warns that it is very important that they “know the status of your blood pressure, avoid alcohol and snuff, and lead a healthy life in general, which includes good nutrition and good physical form.”
It should also be borne in mind that people who have suffered a stroke are more likely to relapse, so they should be taken very seriously take more care. Jose Alvarez says it is a preventable disease, so again, good health is in our hands.