Prevention of Stroke and Ischaemic Attack - Research Paper Example

?Stroke Introduction Stroke has been a major cause of human death, and as a result, medical practitioners have studied it extensively. The goal of this paper is to discuss the causes, manifestations, impacts, treatments and if it is possible to live a productive life among the patients who suffer from ischemic strokes. Stroke Stroke refers to a condition that affects millions of people in both new and recurrent cases. It is defined as a rapidly developing clinical signs of focal or global disturbance of cerebral function that persists for longer than 24 hours or results in fatalities (Catangui & julia 2012). This is without any other signs that could have perpetuated the condition other than vascular origins. The condition can be aggravated by factors such as unhealthy diet, psychosocial stress, depression, cardiac causes such as fibrillation of the arteries, high cholesterol, reduced physical activity, excessive alcohol intake and high waist-to-hip ratio. Despite knowledge of factors that aggravate stroke or trigger it, the actual cause remains unknown, although there are possible causes that lead to its occurrence. In case of the ischemic stroke, is known to be caused by the occlusion of blood vessels in the cerebral cortex, which then takes responsibility of most of the strokes that occur (Catangui & julia 2012). The other form of stroke is the hemorrhagic stroke, which results from bleeding in the cranium and causes minor strokes. Manifestations Ischemic stroke is often accompanied by reduced mental functionality and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that stroke can bear symptoms such as dementia and, therefore, patients suffering from dementia have an increased risk of suffering from stroke (de Moraes, 2003). Clinical studies have revealed that influences of temperature have a bearing on the occurrence of ischemic strokes. This is based on the fact that low temperatures have a profound on the properties of blood such as viscosity and the ability of blood to clot (Hong et al, 2003). Moreover, stroke affects different people based on demographic variables such as sex, age, height and weight. In some patients, symptoms of stroke involve migraines; moreover, neurologic deficits are characteristic of strokes with minimal capability to resume later productivity. The positive side of this condition is that not all patients who have suffered from stroke require constant care. In addition, lifestyle issues are known to increase the risk of suffering a strokes both first occurrence and recurrence. For example, use of tobacco increases the chance of getting stroke by a significant margin as compared to those who do not smoke. As for nutritional and dietary intake, arteriosclerosis is reduced in order bringing down the risk factor of having an ischemic stroke. This is also the case for salt intake and blood pressure, which is a known aggravator of ischemic stroke. Diagnostic tests In diagnosing and conducting tests on patients suffering from ischemic stroke, there are a number of effective tests and diagnosis. Tests conducted on these patients are used to determine the different categories and subtypes of ischemic stroke. Clinics make use of magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography to create a basis of risk factor profiles (Adams et al, 1993). Blood tests for stroke patients involve a complete blood count (CBC) where the number of blood cells in the blood is determined (Bogousslavsky & Regli, 1987). This method is also use to determine other conditions and, therefore, other tests are run concurrently to rule them out. The most important test is the coagulation test used to determine the coagulation rate of the patients and determine the risk level. Through this test, medical practitioners are able to prescribe preventive measures and even start medication for the patient. This test is used together with thrombolysis to ensure that circulation of blood to the brain is sufficient. The other clinical test that is used to investigate the blood supply to the brain is through the use of MRI and CT scans. Through the use of MRI and CT scans, the blood vessels in the neck are assessed to ensure that there is an adequate blood supply to the brain and detect any possible blockages resulting from arteriosclerosis (de Moraes et al, 2003). In addition, cognitive tests are carried out in the diagnosis of stroke this is because the occurrences of stroke are closely related with cognitive impairment (de Moraes et al, 2003). Administering tests that assess mental impairment determines the risk level that a patient is at, in regard to suffering from ischemic stroke. The tests involve delayed word recall, which is meant to tests the most recent memories that a patient recalls. In addition, there is one test that focuses on word fluency that is meant to determine linguistic impairment (de Moraes et al, 2003). Treatment Stroke has violated numerous efforts by scientists meant to come up with treatment that is effective enough. As a result, the condition has continued to cause deaths of those suffering from it. However, ischemic stroke patients have many ways in which they can receive treatment for their conditions from medical health centers. One treatment is the use of thrombolytic therapy, which holds great potential for treating severe cases of the condition (Catangui & Julia 2012). The treatment, despite holding much promise, only a limited number of patients receive it. Thromboloysis is administered to patients within a maximum of four and half hours from the moment the first symptoms of the condition are detected. This is because the interruption of blood supply to the brain results in dead tissue, which can only last for a limited amount of time without blood supply (Catangui & Julia 2012). The death of this tissue, in turn, results in damage to more neurons of the brain, in this case, thrombolysis is used to prevent brain damage and dead tissue. However, it is coupled with increased risk of adverse event that could lead to the death of the patient as a result of cerebral hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is as a result of breaking the clots in the brain that cause the stroke, therefore, the leave an open wound that continues to bleed consistently. Furthermore, treating stroke with thrombolysis is difficult because there are several other conditions that bear the same symptoms as ischemic stroke. These include migraines, brain tumors or cardiovascular events. Thrombolysis also works by neutralizing toxic metabolites that are released from infracted cells in the brain (Wardlaw & Warlow, 1992). Therefore, thrombolysis works with the goal of protecting the remaining undamaged brain cells and sustaining while improving blood supply to the ischemic brain (Wardlaw & Warlow, 1992). Complications from this treatment are quite common; therefore, patients are kept under close observation, in order to monitor changes of their conditions. These complications include possible asphyxia triggered by use of enzyme inhibitors, is at times fatal (Catangui & Julia 2012). In cases for ischemic stroke, there exist preventive treatments that are used to decrease the risk of suffering from the condition. This is done through administering antiplatelet therapy and bringing down the blood pressure of the patient by using angiotensin-converting enzymes in the form of medication (Lawrence et al, 2011). The other treatment option available for patients suffering from ischemic stroke is that of Intra-arterial prourokinase. However, this treatment is in its trial stages and has been used on a limited number of patients. It involves injecting administering intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator to the patient’s (Furlan et al, 1999). This treatment is similar to thrombolysis in that it utilizes heparin to trigger breakdown of clots in the blood. The complications accompanying it are similar to those of thrombolysis in that it can cause severe brain hemorrhage resulting in fatalities. This treatment is also called antithrombotic therapy. Thus, among all the treatments available, thrombolysis is widely the better option as compared to other treatments, as it dissolves all manner of arterial thrombus. This is in spite of the ability of to convert infarcts from other parts of the body into hematoma. Impact Stroke bears a profound impact on its patients depending on the severity level. Ischemic stroke is the cause of most disabilities among elderly people and sometimes middle-aged people with working capabilities (Kim et al, 1999). Ischemic stroke impairments range from residual impairment in physical, psychological and social functionality to the individual. For an ischemic stroke patient, the severity depends on the aspect that is affected in relation to mobility, communication, personality and cognitive deficit that one suffers (Kim et al, 1999). The changes that one experience after suffering a stroke has an effect on one’s quality of life despite the ability of rehabilitation therapy to return physical function, they cannot restore full functionality. In general, stroke patients are labeled as being of ill health following the lack of functional independence. Thus, rehabilitation offers an opportunity for them to live a normal life through implementing procedures that help them to regain their functionality (Kim et al, 1999). This only applies to physical functionality that allows patients to resume productive in the society, and these functions include working capabilities and social responsibilities that they have. However, as mentioned, earlier, other functional aspects do not return fully meaning that rehabilitative therapy should be reviewed (Kim et al, 1999). Despite stroke patients undergoing different treatment options, survival rates are high considering that only, a few of those who successfully go through thrombolysis suffer fatalities (Catangui & Julia 2012). As a result, medical practitioners call for prevention over treatment, as there are better chances of survival and experiencing a long life. In addition, some studies have suggested the likelihood of recurrence of strokes in less than 2 days of the first attack (Lawrence et al, 2011). Conclusion Ischemic stroke is a common condition that leads to many deaths globally and has a significant impact on the patients' life, for example, in terms of impairing his/her physical functionality and cognitive abilities. Consequently, there have been several studies done in order to determine the impact, effects on the body and possible treatments of this disease. Thus, it is advisable for the general populace to be informed of causes and factors that increase the risk of getting stroke to prevent themselves. References Catangui, S & Julia, S. (2012). A Thrombolysis Pathway for Patients Following Acute Ischemic Stroke. Vol. 26 Issue 31, p35-42. Lawrence, et al. (2011). Secondary Prevention of Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack. Vol. 26 Issue 9, p41-46. Hong Chul et al. (2003). Ischemic Stroke Associated with Decrease in Temperature. Vol. 14, No. 4. De Moraes, S et al. (2003). Cognitive Functioning as a Predictor of Ischemic Stroke Incidence. Vol. 14, No. 6. Kim, P. et al (1999). Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors. Vol. 8, No. 4. Wardlaw, J. & Warlow, C. (1992). Rombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Does it Work? Greenville Avenue, Dallas, American Heart Association. Adams, H. et al. (1993). Classification of Subtype of Acute Ischemic Stroke. Definitions for Use in a Multicenter Clinical Trial. Greenville Avenue, Dallas, American Heart Association. Bogousslavsky, J. & Regli, F. (1987). Ischemic Stroke in Adults Younger Than 30 Years of Age. Vol 44. Furlan, A. et al (1999). Intra-arterial Prourokinase for Acute Ischemic Stroke. Vol 282 , No 2. Read More