Understanding Stroke

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Recommended: Physiotheraputic management of a stroke

Understanding Stroke

Diagnosis and Clinical Features of Stroke

Several researchers have attempted to determine the general public's knowledge about stroke risk factors and warning signs. The most commonly cited risk factors were hypertension and stress; the most frequently identified warning signs were dizziness, severe headaches, and unspecified weakness. Knowledge about warning signs may prompt early recognition of strokes and, hence increase the speed and aggressiveness with which people seek medical attention. The five stroke warning signs identified by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke include: (a) sudden weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; (b) sudden dimness or loss of vision particularly in one eye; (c) sudden difficulty speaking or trouble understanding speech; (d)sudden severe headache with no known cause; and (e) unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls. These symptoms are seen especially in conjunction with other warning signs.

Facts about Stroke

Strokes are the most common cause of disability and leading cause of death in the United States. Estimates of the number of stroke survivors in the United States exceed 3 million, and nearly 150,000 Americans died from stroke in 1995. The frequency with which strokes occur and the devastating effects they can have on survivors and their families make provision of general information about prevention and management an essential element of public health education. Previous researchers have found that between 14% and 40% of adults cannot name a single risk factor associated with stroke. This is reason for concern among the medical community.

Neuropathology/Neurochemically speaking

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...rain. Glutamate antagonists have been successful in treating various animal models of epilepsy and by effectively protecting against epilepsy brain damage.

Works Cited

Albers, MD, Gregory W. (1997). Rationale for Early Intervention in Acute Stroke. The American Journal of Cardiology. 80:4(3); 4D-10D.

Atkinson, R. P.; & DeLemos, C. (2000). Acute Ischemic Stroke Management. Thrombosis Research. 98:3; 97-111.

Koroshetz, W. J.; & Moskowitz, M. A. (1996). Emerging treatments for stroke in humans. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 17:6 (Jun); 227-233.

Lees, K.R. (1991). Therapeutic interventions in acute stroke. Brit J Clin Pharmacol. 34; 486-493.

Rothman, S.M.; & Olney, J.W. (1986). Glutamate and the pathophysiology of Hypoxic-Ischemic brain damage. Ann Neurol. 19; 105-111.

For information Stroke: http://www.caregiver.org/factsheets/stroke.html

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