Stroke
Diagnosis
Stroke differs in severity and duration between people. The symptoms of stroke depend on the area of the brain affected by the block in blood flow and the extent of the damage. For example, damage in the brain area concerned with vision will affect eyesight and the resulting symptoms can help to deduce the site of the attack. Symptoms may occur suddenly and include:
- weakness on one side of the body
- an inability to walk and speak
- problems with bladder and bowel control
- difficulty understanding language
- difficulty performing motor activities, such as writing and dressing
- vision disturbances
- judgement difficulties and neglect of one side of the body
- unconsciousness
- severe headache with a sudden onset.
These symptoms may last a few minutes or several hours. If they clear up within 24 hours, the patient has suffered a transient ischaemic attack. If they last for longer than 24 hours, a stroke is present. Some of the different kinds of stroke are shown in the box below.
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Thrombotic stroke
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The formation of a blood clot or a thrombus in an artery feeding the brain - accounts for approximately 30-50% of all strokes
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Embolic stroke
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A blood clot which formed in the body becomes detached and lodged in the brain - accounts for approximately 20-40% of all strokes
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Lacunar stroke
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A small vessel stroke, commonly associated with diabetes and hypertension. These leave permanent brain damage in a small area of the brain. Accounts for 5-10% of all strokes.
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Intracerebral haemorrhage
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A blood vessel deep inside the brain tissue bursts. The pressure on the surrounding tissue due to the leaking blood causes brain damage - accounts for 10% of all strokes.
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Subarachnoid haemorrhage
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Bleeding into the fluid-filled space between the surface of the brain and the skull. It usually occurs when a weak area in the wall of blood vessel bursts - accounts for 5% of all strokes.
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As many as 50% of people who have experienced a stroke will also suffer from a depressive illness.
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