What Is a Stroke and Why Does It Happen?

A‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ stroke is a major shock that happens out of the blue when the brain does not get the blood and oxygen it needs. Brain cells start to die in a matter of minutes from lack of blood, which can result in the affected person being permanently disabled or even in danger of death.

Knowing what a stroke is and how it comes about is very important since time intervention can still keep a person alive and also make the recuperation less stressful. More understanding of a stroke makes more people able to detect the signs of the disease and thus they can rush to the hospital without delay which is the only way to stop the damage from getting ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌worse.

What Happens During a Stroke

A‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ stroke is the result of an interruption in the blood flow to a certain area of the brain. As a consequence of this interruption, oxygen and nutrients are not delivered to brain tissue, so the cells are destroyed very quickly. The reason why the effects of a stroke are so different from one case to another is that the brain is composed of various areas that control different functions, hence the variability of the effects depending on the location of the clot or haemorrhage.

There are two main types of stroke, and each happens for a different reason.

Ischemic Stroke: The Most Common Type

An‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ ischemic stroke happens when one of the blood vessels that provide the brain with blood becomes blocked. This type of stroke is the leading cause of stroke cases globally.

The most common reasons for a blockage are:

• Clots that form in the blood vessels which may result from high cholesterol, plaque accumulation, or injury to the artery walls.
• Clots that detach and travel from other areas of the body Embolism is a situation wherein a clot is formed in a different location, usually the heart, and moves to the brain.

If the blood flow is stopped even for a short time brain cells will start to fail and the patient will have the symptoms of sudden weakness, confusion, or slurred speech among ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌others.

Hemorrhagic Stroke: When a Blood Vessel Bursts

When‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ a blood vessel that is either weak or damaged ruptures and bleeds into the brain tissue that surrounds it, that is what is called a hemorrhagic stroke. It is a less frequent type of stroke, but it is usually of a higher severity.

Why bleeding happens: 

• Uncontrolled hypertension over a long period of time greatly contributes to high blood pressure inside blood vessels and this is what made them fragile and they can burst.
• Aneurysms are the areas of the blood vessel walls that have become thin and may therefore expand or rupture.
• If there is any trauma or structural abnormality in the blood vessels, the risk will also be increased.

The bleeding not only interferes with the normal functioning of the brain but also the pressure inside the skull is elevated which causes the onset of a sudden, severe ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌symptom.

Why Do Strokes Happen? Understanding the Root Causes

It‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ takes a combination of factors before a stroke can develop. Some factors are related to lifestyle, some are medical, and some are long term vascular changes.

Major risk contributors include: 

• High blood pressure It is the main reason for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, as it makes the blood vessel walls wear.
• Diabetes changes the vessels that carry blood and makes the formation of clots more frequent.
• High cholesterol is the main factor for plaque buildup, which narrows arteries and lowers blood flow.
• Heart diseases like atrial fibrillation can make it happen that clots are formed and later they move to the brain.
• Bad habits that include smoking, physical inactivity, and heavy alcohol use increase the risk of stroke with time.
• Even changes in age and family history can have an effect on the likelihood of getting the disease, particularly if other risk factors are present.

Strokes come from a mixture of these factors, that is why it is very important to have regular health checks and take the necessary interventions on ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌time.

Recognising the Warning Signs Early

Strokes‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ typically happen abruptly. Their symptoms may come up fast, and every minute of delay can result in a larger area of brain damage. The best way to tell a stroke is by recognizing changes in a person’s speech, movement, or level of consciousness that have occurred suddenly.

Common symptoms of stroke include: 

• Sudden weakness of one side of the body
• Facial drooping
• Speaking difficulties or inability to understand speech
• Vision loss
• Severe headache without known cause
• Dizziness or unsteadiness

If a person suffering from a stroke is taken to the hospital immediately, it is still possible that early intervention can help to save and even restore brain function as well as minimise long-term ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌complications.

A‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ stroke is a serious situation when the brain stops getting the blood and oxygen supply it needs. Most of the time a blocked vessel is the cause, but if it is due to bleeding inside the brain, the damage starts in a few minutes, and therefore, early action is the most important step in saving the brain from further damage. Recognising symptoms quickly, understanding personal risk factors, and seeking immediate medical help can significantly enhance the situation. In case you, or someone close to you, display warning signs, getting checked without delay is the only way out. Our expert neurology team at Sugam Hospital is equipped to offer complete diagnostics, the fastest treatment, and the continued support as the best neurologist in Chennai, patients can recover in a safe and confident ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌manner.