Stroke - causes, warning signs & treatment

A stroke is an acute circulatory disorder in the brain - recognise symptoms early and find out more about causes, treatment and long-term prevention.

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Wissenswertes über "Stroke"

A stroke (medical: apoplexy or cerebral insult) is an acute circulatory disorder in the brain in which nerve cells are no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen and nutrients.

In about 80% of cases there is an ischaemic stroke caused by a blood clot or a vascular constriction that blocks an area of the brain. Rarer is the haemorrhagic formin which a vessel in the brain bursts and a bleed occurs. In both cases, every minute counts - quick action is crucial to avoid permanent damage.

Typical warning signs are sudden paralyses, usually unilateral (e.g. B. in the face or arm), speech or visual disturbances, severe dizziness, loss of coordination or an onset, severe headache with no recognisable cause. Many strokes announce themselves with a so-called TIA (transient ischaemic attack) - a short-term, spontaneously regressing circulatory disorder that is already a serious warning signal.

Treatment includes thrombolysis (dissolution of clots) or in certain cases a mechanical thrombectomy, i.e. the removal of the clot. In the case of cerebral haemorrhages, relieving pressure and stopping bleeding is the main focus. In the long term, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and prevention are crucial: These include the control of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, exercise, a healthy diet and giving up smoking. Recognising genetic or structural risks (e.g. atrial fibrillation, carotid stenosis) is also part of follow-up care.

Important facts about stroke:

Causes: vascular occlusion (ischaemic) or cerebral haemorrhage (haemorrhagic)
Symptoms: sudden paralysis, speech disorders, loss of vision, dizziness
diagnosis via CT, MRI and neurological tests
therapy: Thrombolysis, thrombectomy, blood pressure control
prevention through healthy lifestyle and medical prevention

Literature references:

German Stroke Society (DSG). (2023). "Guidelines for acute therapy and secondary prevention."
Feigin, V. L. et al. (2021). "Global burden of stroke." The Lancet Neurology.
Adams, H. P. et al. (2007). "Guidelines for the early management of adults with ischemic stroke." Stroke.