With the improvement in science and technology the standard of living is improving. The wave of new style and trend has changed the eating habits too. Fast and quick food eating habits are being imbibed in life to save time. However eating fast food exposes human body to risks like obesity. A very fatal problem like a brain stroke can be a result of increasing obesity. Though obesity can cause disorders like stroke, there are also several other reasons also. Read on to know more about symptoms, causes, types and treatments for brain stroke.

What is stroke?

Stroke is also known as cerebrovascular accident. It is caused as a result of deficiency of blood supply to the brain. This disruption in blood supply causes harm to brain cells. This also results into a disturbed supply of oxygen and glucose tothe brain. It can affect any part of the brain and interrupt its functions.

It can affect brain because of the blood clot or bleeding in brain. In most of the patients it is the first case that is blocked arteries of brain due to blood clot. This clot is caused as a result of cholesterol accumulating in brain arteries. In the second case stroke is caused due to bleeding in brain, it is known as hemorrhage. In such disorder the blood spreads to adjacent areas of brain tissue.

Symptoms of stroke

Here is list of symptoms of stroke which will help in early diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms may differ in each case depending on the affected area of brain. However such symptoms can also be observed in case of other disorders or over-dose of medicines. You should consult your doctor immediately after observing such symptoms, to avoid further complications.

• Lack of sensation in leg or arm
  
  
• Difficulty in breathing
  
  
• One part of body becoming weak or paralysed
  
  
• Difficulty in speaking
  
  
• Drooling caused due to weakness in face muscles
  
  
• Unconsciousness or numbness

• Increased level of cholesterol
  
  
• Hypertension
  
  
• High blood sugar
  
  
• Excessive smoking
  
  
• Excessive intake of alcoholic drinks

Types of stroke

Cerebral hemorrhage

In this type of stroke the blood vessels in brain break causing blood to circulate in adjacent parts of brain tissue. Because of cerebral hemorrhage brain is unable to get oxygen and blood. It causes swelling in brain tissues which is known as cerebral edema. Accumulation of blood in the surrounding of brain tissue and edema can cause fatal complications in brain.

Embolic stroke

Embolic stroke is caused when the cholesterol deposits break and circulates in brain arteries. These deposits distract the supply of oxygen and blood to brain causing stroke. Such deposits of cholesterol or calcium are formed mainly in heart which travels tothe brain.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

This disorder is caused due to the accumulation of blood in arachnoids membranes lining brain. The outflow of blood is caused in abnormal blood vessels causing clotting. It is responsible for severe headaches and some neck problems. Late diagnosis and treatment of such disorder can result in risks like numbness of brain or coma.

Treatments for stroke

Stroke is required to be treated according to its type, age of the patient and health status. Research is still in progress to find new and improved methods for treating stroke. However it is necessary to have knowledge about the currently available treatments to cope with stroke. Have a quick look at possible ways to treat stroke.

• Surgeries for treating stroke include carotid endarterectomy, carotid angioplasty and stenting, hemicraniectomy, extracranial-intracranial bypass etc. Such types of surgeries are helpful for restoring the damaged blood vessels, removing blood which gets accumulated after stroke, removing deposits of cholesterol or calcium inside carotid artery.
  
  
• Medications like oral drugs are also helpful to cope with strokes. Some prescribed medicines are useful as anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting in brain. Some medicines are also helpful to dissolve the clots of blood in brain. However medicines should be taken strictly under doctor's prescription.
  
  
• Other remedies like change in diet pattern, exercise for paralysed part of the body, massaging the paralysed part, yoga etc. are helpful for treating some of the symptoms of stroke.