Stroke
About Stroke
A stroke is an acute event where the blood flow to the brain is interrupted; this can be a temporary event, where the symptoms quickly settle or could be permanent leaving the patient with severe disabilities or resulting in death
Symptoms of a Stroke
How a stroke manifests would depend on the part of the brain that has been affected. Common symptoms of a stroke include weakness on one side of the body, drooping of one side of the face, the inability to find the right words, sensory changes in the limbs or the slurring of speech. Other signs of stroke include acute double vision with vertigo and vomiting - if you think you or a loved one may be having a stroke, you must call 999 immediately
Strokes are most often caused by a narrowed blood vessel in the brain or neck becoming blocked suddenly or in a small number of cases, due to a brain haemorrhage - risk factors include having diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, abnormal heart rhythm's, high alcohol intake, obesity, poor diet, history or family history of previous strokes, increasing age, being male, being of Afro-Caribbean descent and having high cholesterol levels
A stroke or a suspected stroke is an emergency and an ambulance should be called immediately - once in hospital the medical or surgical team will arrange imaging to determine the nature of the stroke and the part of the brain and extent to which it is affected; they will then try to ensure restoring the blood flow to the brain or controlling the bleeding depending on the cause
Start feeling better now
Our doctors are available now to help you with stroke or any other medical condition which you would normally see your GP about. Book an appointment now and start feeling better right away.
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