CVA (stroke)

another relative had cerebrovascular accident (CVA) this month, his third stroke actually. he died of kidney failure a few days after that. four months ago,  a close cousin also had his first stroke while driving on his way home which led to his tragic death. inasmuch as CVA is a life-threatening disease, i decided to post some important facts about the said disease hoping to help us all recognize the early signs of stroke and thus save the lives of our loved ones.

what is CVA?

cerebrovascular accident (CVA),  also commonly known as brain attack or stroke, is the sudden death of some brain cells due to a lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain which would cause irreversible brain damage. it is one of the leading causes of death in many countries of the world.

signs & symptoms:

symptoms of a stroke depend on the area of the brain affected. the most common symptom is weakness or paralysis of one side of the body with partial or complete loss of voluntary movement or sensation in a leg or arm. there can be speech problems and weak face muscles, causing drooling, as well as a sudden severe headache often described as “the worst headache of my life” .  numbness or tingling is very common. a stroke involving the base of the brain can affect balance, vision, swallowing, breathing and even unconsciousness.

a bystander without medical training can also help to identify someone who is having a stroke, but remember that while many individuals with stroke may find the following tasks difficult, not all stroke symptoms can be encompassed in the following tasks:

• S — Ask the individual to smile.

• T — Ask the individual to raise both arms and keep them raised.

• R — Ask the individual to speak a simple sentence (coherently). For example, "It is sunny out today."

  note:   also ask the person to “stick” out their tongue . if the tongue is “crooked”, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

risk factors:

the risk of stroke is determined by both genetic and environmental influences. a number of specific risk factors include a family history of stroke in first-degree relatives, older age, male sex, hypertension, smoking, diabetes and heart disease.

prevention:

the risk of stroke can be reduced through the following lifestyle changes:

• stop smoking;

• control blood pressure; 

• get regular exercise; 

• keep body weight down;

• avoid excessive alcohol consumption; and

• get regular checkups and follow the doctor's advice regarding diet and medicines.

treatment:

it is important to identify a stroke as early as possible because patients who are treated earlier are more likely to survive and have better recoveries. if one catches it too late (s)he can die. as many doctors note, "time lost is brain lost."

damage from stroke may be significantly reduced through emergency treatment. knowing the symptoms of stroke is as important as knowing those of a heart attack. patients with stroke symptoms should seek emergency treatment without delay, which may mean calling an ambulance instead of calling his/her doctor,  even if the symptoms have dissipated or apparently resolved. receiving hospital treatment within 3 hours of the attack may avoid irreversible brain damage.