- Causes of ischemic stroke
- 1. Smoking and poor diet
- 2. High blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
- 3. Heart or blood vessel defects
- 4. Use of illicit drugs
- 5. Other causes
- Causes of hemorrhagic stroke
- 1. High blood pressure
- 2. Hit on the head
- 3. Cerebral aneurysm
- 4. Use of anticoagulants
- 5. Other causes
- Does stroke have a cure?
Stroke, also known as stroke or stroke, is the interruption of blood flow to some region of the brain, and this can have several reasons, such as accumulations of fatty plaques or the formation of a clot, which give rise to the stroke ischemic, or bleeding from high pressure and even rupture of an aneurysm, giving rise to hemorrhagic stroke.
When this situation happens, the sequelae depend on the severity of the brain injury and the appropriate treatment, and it is common to have weakness on one side of the body or difficulty in speech, for example. Therefore, it is important to focus on rehabilitation therapies, to reduce any type of difficulty that has remained. Learn about the main sequelae and how to treat.
There are several causes for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and it is always possible, for each situation, to adopt behaviors or treatments that, if done correctly, can prevent this situation. The main causes are:
Causes of ischemic stroke
Ischemic stroke is caused by the obstruction of some vessel that takes blood to the brain, which most often happens in people over 50, however, it is also possible to happen in young people. This can happen due to:
1. Smoking and poor diet
Life habits such as smoking, consumption of foods rich in fats, fried foods, salt, carbohydrates and sugars, increase the risk of developing the accumulation of fatty plaques, also called atherosclerosis, in the blood vessels of the brain and in important blood vessels. cerebral circulation. When this happens, the blood cannot pass and the cells in the affected region begin to die from lack of oxygen.
How to avoid: adopt a healthier diet, with a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and lean meat, in addition to practicing physical activity at least 3 times a week and not smoking. Check out our tips for habits to prevent diseases such as stroke and heart attack.
2. High blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
Diseases such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, high triglycerides, obesity or diabetes are the greatest risks for the formation of accumulation of fatty plaques, as well as the development of inflammation in blood vessels and heart disease, being important risks for stroke.
How to avoid: adequately control these diseases, with the treatment indicated by the doctor, in addition to adopting healthy lifestyle habits, to reduce their negative effects on the body.
3. Heart or blood vessel defects
Changes in the heart, such as the presence of an arrhythmia, dilation or changes in the functioning of the heart muscle or its valves, as well as the presence of a tumor or calcification, contribute to the formation of clots, which can reach the brain through the bloodstream.
How to avoid: these types of changes can be detected in routine consultations with the doctor, and, if detected, they will be followed up and, in some cases, the use of medications, such as anticoagulants.
4. Use of illicit drugs
The use of illicit drugs, mainly injectable, such as heroin, for example, favors injury and spasms in blood vessels, which can contribute to the formation of clots and, consequently, stroke.
How to avoid it: in these cases, it is recommended to seek help from a specialized drug center so that the detoxification process can be carried out, thus contributing to the person's quality of life and reducing the chances of stroke.
5. Other causes
Other less common situations for the occurrence of a stroke, which should be suspected, especially when it occurs in young people, are the diseases that cause greater blood clotting, such as lupus, sickle cell anemia or thrombophilia, for example, diseases that they inflame blood vessels, such as vasculitis, or brain spasms, for example, which impede blood flow.
Treatment in a stroke situation, regardless of the cause, should be started as soon as possible, already in the emergency, with the use of medications to assist the return of blood flow, such as ASA, clopidogrel, thrombolysis and blood pressure and blood pressure control. vital data. Find out in more detail how stroke treatment is performed.
Causes of hemorrhagic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when there is bleeding inside the brain or in the meninges, which are films that surround the brain. This type of stroke can happen both in the elderly and in young people, and the main causes are:
1. High blood pressure
Very high pressure can rupture any of the vessels in the brain, which is the main cause of hemorrhagic stroke. It usually happens in people who have very high blood pressure peaks, as they do not treat hypertension.
How to avoid it: it is necessary to have a medical follow-up for check-up exams and to check if you have high blood pressure and, if confirmed, to make an appropriate treatment and control of the disease, preventing its effects on the body.
2. Hit on the head
The traumatic brain injury, which can happen in traffic accidents, is an important cause of stroke, because it can cause bleeding in and around the brain, being a very serious situation that puts the person's life at risk.
How to avoid it: it is important to always be concerned with safety in different situations, such as wearing a seat belt in the car or using personal protective equipment at work, for example.
3. Cerebral aneurysm
The presence of an aneurysm or other blood vessel malformations within the brain increases the risk of rupture and hemorrhage, especially when its size increases with time.
How to avoid it: this type of alteration is most commonly discovered accidentally, when CT scans or MRIs are done for other causes. However, an aneurysm can be suspected in the presence of symptoms such as frequent and gradually worsening headache, seizures, or weakness and tingling in some part of the body, for example.
4. Use of anticoagulants
Anticoagulant remedies are very important in several diseases, such as arrhythmias, thrombosis or diseases of the heart valves, for example, however, if used in the wrong way, or if the person is not careful, as it increases the risk of bleeding, including inside the brain.
How to avoid: have regular medical follow-up to control blood clotting and to do routine tests. Also avoid situations of risk for strokes, such as falls.
5. Other causes
Other less common causes for hemorrhagic stroke can include diseases that hinder blood clotting, such as hemophilia and thrombocythemia, inflammation of the small cerebral vessels, called amyloid angiopathy, due to degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's, use of illicit drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamine, and brain tumor, which increases the risk of bleeding.
A hemorrhagic stroke should also be treated as soon as possible, already in the emergency room, with the control of vital data, and, if necessary, with the performance of surgery, in order to reduce the risk of life and the formation of sequelae.
Does stroke have a cure?
Stroke has no cure, however, it can be prevented in most cases or, when it happens, it is possible to invest in treatments to improve the condition and rehabilitation to leave less sequelae.
In addition, it is possible for the body to recover from a good part, or totally, of the symptoms and difficulties that arise with the stroke, which also depends on a follow-up with a neurologist, and the realization of a rehabilitation, with:
- Physiotherapy, which helps to recover the motor part and develop movements; Occupational therapy, which encourages the preparation of strategies to reduce the effects of stroke sequelae on a daily basis, adaptations of the environment and utensils, in addition to activities to improve reasoning and movement; Physical activity, done, preferably under the guidance of the physical educator, to strengthen the muscles and help the person's independence, balance and well-being; Nutrition, helps to prepare food in the ideal quantity, type and consistency for each person; Speech therapy is important in cases of difficulty swallowing food or communicating, helping to adapt these situations.
In this way, even if the stroke sequelae do not diminish or recover quickly, it is possible to improve the quality of life of the person living with this situation.
