Strokes (A Cerebrovascular Disease)

By: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

Two main types of stroke:

1.  obstruction or closure of of an artery

2.  bleeding due to the breakage of an artery

Definition and clinical diagnosis

A stroke is an acute neurological dysfunction caused by interruption of blood supply to the focal brain area(s) because of  vessel obstruction or breakage, with a sudden occurrence of sign and symptoms  that correspond with areas of the brain. The symptoms can include blurry or double vision (diplopia), difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), loss of  balance, speech difficulty, paralyses, and nausea or vomiting.

Conditions that can be confused as TIAs or strokes

1. post-epileptic paralysis (Todds's paralysis )

2. low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

3. migraine

4. conversion disorder (psychological disorder that

5. causes stiffening of the muscles)

6. brain tumor

7. drug overdose

8. Bell's palsy

9. ear infection

Stroke Warning Signs

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body  

2. Sudden confusion, speech slurred or face droopy  

3. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes

4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

5. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Risk factors of strokes:

1. .high blood pressure

2.  diabetes

3.  heart disease

4. TIA

5. obesity

6. platelet hypercoagulability

7. alcohol

8. smoking

9. high lipid levels

10. hyperuricemia,

11. infections

12. genetic factors

13. dropping of estrogen level

14. previous stroke(s)

15. high homocysteine level

16. high blood viscosity

17. stress

18. stiffness of blood vessels

Emergency Handling of Stroke Patients

Keep the patient cool. Lower the body temperature by 1~2 ^oF using ice water and ice pack while getting the patient to the nearest hospital. Lowering of body temperature can minimize brain damage.

Qigong Therapy and prevention of strokes

Acupuncture Therapy for stroke sequelae

Herb Therapy for stroke sequelae

Other site for information:

Society of Geriatric of Cardiology

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