Brain Basics: Understand Stroke - Know the Signs - Act in Time

Dealing entirely and specifically with America's third leading cause of death--stroke--http://www.StrokeAide.com provides hundreds of resources and a wealth of information about stroke, its symptoms, risk factors, possible prevention advice, treatments, rehabilitation therapies, clinical trials, possible disabilities, survival rates, and so much more. Learn how to recognize a stroke and what to do about it. Search for the best hospitals, the most competent doctors and read the countless articles to get advice and tips about dealing with stroke.

(PRWEB) March 13, 2005 -- Nearly 2,500 years ago the father of medicine, Hippocrates, recognized and described a stroke--the sudden onset of paralysis. Until recently, modern medicine had very little control over this particular ailment, but the world of stroke medicine is rapidly changing and new and more advanced therapies are being developed every day. Today, some people who suffer a stroke, can literally walk away the attack with no or very few disabilities--if they are treated promptly. Doctors are beginning to offer stroke patients and their families the one thing that until now has been so difficult to give--HOPE.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding the brain cells. In the same way that a person suffering a loss of blood flow to the heart is said to having a heart attack, a person with a loss of blood to the brain or sudden bleeding in the brain can be said to be having a "brain attack." The symptoms of a stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness(especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion or difficulty in speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; difficulty in walking, dizziness or loss of balance; or severe sudden headache with no known cause.

There are two major kinds of stroke. The first, and most common, is called an ischemic stroke and is caused by a blood clot or something which plugs a blood vessel in the brain. Approximately 80 of all strokes are of this type. The second, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds in to brain itself. These strokes account for about 20 percent of all stroke cases.

If you need information, resources or advice about stroke or answers to your stroke questions, visit http://www.strokeaide.com Remember, there are no "dumb" questions when you are fighting a battle of survival.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body. The effects of a stroke range from mild to severe and include paralysis, problems with thinking, difficulty with speaking, chronic pain, and emotional problems like depression.

The length of time to recover from a stroke depends, of course, on its severity. Fifty to 70 percent of stroke survivors regain functional independence, but 15 to 30 percent are permanently disabled. Four million Americans are currently living with the effects of a stroke, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that 700,000 Americans will suffer a stroke each year. In addition to the lives that are drastically changed, stroke places a tremendous health burden on our society in terms of economic costs. The National Stroke Association estimates stroke costs the U.S. $43 billion a year.

The best treatment for stroke is prevention. There are several risk factors that increase your chance of suffering a stroke. High blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and family history of strokes. If you smoke--quit! If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or high cholesterol, getting them under control--and keeping them at safe levels--will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.

If you or someone you know has already suffered a stroke, it is important to understand that many therapy options and medications are available to provide for a faster and more thorough recovery. The best start is to gain as much knowledge as possible about the condition and the treatments. Do your own research and obtain the information you need. As has been said many times, "Knowledge is Power." To find the stroke information you need in an easy-to-use format visit http://www.strokeaide.com.

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