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- $Unique_ID{BRK02363}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Causes Strokes and What Do They Do?}
- $Subject{stroke blood flow brain clot artery thrombosis wall hemorrhage supply
- blockage atherosclerosis hardening arteries plaque vessels mini-stroke tia
- transient ischemic attack blackout whiteout bruit carotid circulatory system
- cerebrovascular accident accidents strokes clots }
- $Volume{G-1}
- $Log{
- Sclerotic Arteries of the Brain*0002502.scf
- Types of Ischemic Strokes I*0006901.scf
- Types of Ischemic Strokes II*0006902.scf
- Types of Hemorrhagic Strokes*0006903.scf
- Atherosclerosis of Arteries*0009301.scf
- Complications of Atherosclerosis*0009401.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What Causes Strokes and What Do They Do?
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-
- QUESTION: I've just heard a story about a friend who died suddenly from a
- stroke, yet I know many people who survived an episode that was diagnosed as
- stroke without any ill effects. Please clear up my confusion about strokes.
- Just what happens?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Simply put, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off
- or decreased. This can be caused by a blood clot lodging in a brain artery
- (thrombosis), or a break in the artery wall (hemorrhage). Its after effects
- can be as mild as a passing weakness or tingling in a limb or as profound as
- paralysis, coma, and death. You see, brain cells cannot store up the energy
- they make from sugar and oxygen in the blood. If their blood supply stops,
- they die; and the functions they control, such as speech, muscle movement, and
- reason, die with them.
- Nearly two-thirds of all strokes result from blockage due to
- atherosclerosis, also called "hardening of the arteries". Over time, a sticky
- fatty substance (plaque) builds up in the lining of the blood vessels (like
- corrosion in a water pipe) until the pipe either bursts or clogs up.
- About 10% of the time, a mini-stroke called a TIA (transient ischemic
- attack) precedes a major stroke. Among other things, a TIA can cause a brief
- "blackout" or "whiteout" or blurred vision in one eye. And though it doesn't
- last long, one-third of all TIA victims can expect a disabling stroke within
- five years. So it's important to consult with your doctor.
- If atherosclerosis is the culprit, a swishing sound called a "bruit"
- (pronounced brew-ee) may be heard when the stethoscope is applied to the
- carotid arteries, located on each side of the neck. If someone has a lot of
- TIAs, more sophisticated tests will be ordered to pinpoint the narrowed
- vessel. It is possible to clean out these partially clogged arteries using
- special surgical techniques.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-