A stroke occurs when reduced bloodflow to the brain causes brain cell death. Some strokes result in permanent disability, whereas others are so mild that they go unnoticed.

What are the different Types of Stroke?

A stroke is an interruption in blood supply to the brain that causes brain cell
death. Some strokes result in permanent disability, whereas others are so mild
that they go unnoticed. Depending on where a stroke occurs in the brain and the
severity of the stroke, one or more body systems may be affected. For these
reasons, it is safe to say that stroke does not always look the same from person
to person.

The Two Major Types of Stroke:
 1. Ischemic stroke
 2. Hemorrhagic stroke



Ischemic Stroke
Over 80% of strokes are ischemic strokes, resulting when a vessel within the
brain is blocked by a blood clot or other bodily matter. This blockage reduces
oxygen-delivering blood flow and causes progressive brain tissue death. A drug
known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be given within the first few
hours of stroke to help dissolve a blood clot and restore blood flow, thereby
improving outcomes. As it may be hard to recognize the signs of a stroke
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-are-early-warning-signs-of-stroke], may
individuals miss the “window” for tPA and are treated via other means.

Hemorrhagic Stroke
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, resulting from bleeding within the brain
and skull. Blood vessels altered by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), brain
aneurysm, or a disease process may be more likely to rupture and bleed. A
ruptured vessel can cause blood to accumulate within the brain, compressing its
tissues and causing a dangerous increase in pressure, leading to cell death.
Hemorrhagic strokes may be treated by reducing pressure within the skull and
administering drugs to stop the bleeding.

What is a mini-stroke?
The term “mini-stroke”
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/ministroke-and-stroke-what-should-we-do] is
often used to describe a mild stroke-like episode from which someone recovers
quickly. This type of stroke is known as a transient ischemic attack or TIA.
Like an ischemic stroke, a TIA is caused by reduced bloodflow to the brain;
however, the symptoms of a TIA resolve within an hour. Despite the fact that a
TIA may seem like a passing event, this type of mini-stroke is usually a warning
sign of a future, bigger stroke. Over 30% of individuals who have a TIA will
have a larger stroke within the year. Therefore, it is important to discuss any
experience of stroke-like symptoms with your doctor.

If you have had a stroke and are looking for an effective solution for your
rehabilitation needs, please look into the Neofect
[https://www.neofect.com/us/for-home] line of Smart Rehabilitation products
[https://shop.neofect.com/]. Our neurorehabilitation products include support
from occupational therapists [https://www.neofect.com/us/therapist] to maximize
functional gains. Please call (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984] or email us at 
info@neofect.com for further inquiry.



--
*References:

 1. American Stroke Association. Types of Stroke. 2019, 
    https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke.
    
    
 2. Mayo Clinic. Stroke: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Foundation for Medical
    Education and Research, 5 Sept. 2019, 
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113
    .
    
    

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the Neofect website is solely at your
own risk.

Stroke Recovery

What are the Different Types of Stroke?

A brain aneurysm is when one has a bulge in a blood vessel located in the brain.  A brain aneurysm can burst or leak which can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. 

What is a Brain Aneurysm?


A brain aneurysm is when one has a bulge in a blood vessel located in the brain.
A brain aneurysm can burst or leak and when that happens it can cause a 
hemorrhagic stroke
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/can-stress-cause-a-stroke-the-answer-may-shock-you]
. When an aneurysm bursts it requires immediate medical attention and can be
life threatening if not treated quickly. Although aneurysms can burst or leak
many never cause any problems.

Many people have aneurysms and don't know it until they are being testing for
other conditions. Once an aneurysm is found a doctor may decide to go ahead and
perform some sort of treatment to prevent it from bursting or they may choose to
just monitor it.

What are the Symptoms of a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm?

 * Sudden and very severe headache (many people say its the worst headache they
   have ever had in their life)
 * Nausea and vomiting
 * drowsiness
 * Stiff neck
 * Loss of balance with walking or loss of coordination
 * Blurred or double vision
 * Dilated pupils
 * Sensitivity to light
 * Seizure
 * A drooping eyelid
 * Loss of consciousness
 * Confusion



What are the Symptoms of a Leaking Brain Aneurysm?

 * Sudden and very severe headache (many people say its the worst headache they
   have ever had in their life)
   *it is very important not to ignore a very severe headache as a leaking brain
   aneurysm can lead to a ruptured brain aneurysm.

What are the Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm That Have Not Ruptured or Leaked?
Most small aneurysms will not exhibit any symptoms however larger aneurysms may
put pressure on the brain tissue and nerves and present with the following
symptoms:

 * Pain above and or behind one eye
 * Severe headache
 * Dropping eye lid
 * Issues with speech
 * A dilated pupil
 * Change in vision or double vision
 * Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
   If you present with any of these symptoms it is important to seek medical
   attention quickly to prevent the aneurysm from leaking or rupturing.

What causes a Brain Aneurysm?

Brain aneurysms begin to develop as a result of thinning artery walls. Aneurysms
tend to form where the arteries branch because those sections of the vessel are
weaker. An aneurysm can form anywhere in the brain however they are most
commonly found at the base of the brain.

Scientists are not sure exactly what causes an aneurysm however they were able
to narrow down some risk factors:

 * More common in adults over the age of 40
 * More common in woman
 * More common in older ager
 * More common if you smoke cigarettes
 * More common if you utilize recreational drugs
 * More common if you drink exessive amounts of alcohol
 * More common if you have high blood pressure
 * More common if you have had a brain injury
 * More common if you have a blood disease
 * More common if you have cancer of the head brain or neck
 * More common if you have an infection
 * More common if you were born with a tangled blood vessel in your brain
 * More common if you have a family history of an aneurysm

How Can a Surgeon Repair a Brain Aneurysm in Order to Prevent a Bleed or Leak?
If your doctor discovers an aneurysm in your brain there are a few ways they can
go about repairing it based on its location, size, shape and some other factors.
2 main procedures are:

 1. Clipping - this is when your surgeon creates a small hole in you skull and
    places a metal clip at the base of the aneurysm to prevent it from leaking
    or rupturing.
 2. Endovascular repair - this is when your surgeon puts a small wire into an
    artery in your groin area and guides it through that artery to your brain
    aneurysm. This wire has a catheter attached to it which will allow your
    surgeon to insert a few thin metal wires into your aneurysm. These wires
    will cause a blood clot to form which will in turn prevent the aneurysm from
    rupturing.



What are Some Complications That may Develop After a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm?

 * A repeat bleed: If an aneurysm has ruptured or leaked there is always the
   chance it may begin to bleed again. Another bleed can cause more damage to
   your brain cells.
 * Hydrocephalus: A ruptured aneurysm can cause blood to gather in the space
   between your brain and the tissue around the brain. When blood pools in this
   space it can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This excess blood can begin to
   block circulation of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord.
   This will eventually cause a build up of cerebrospinal fluid and increase the
   amount of pressure being put on the brain. This pressure can damage tissue in
   the brain.
 * Vasospasm: When a brain aneurysm ruptures it can cause some blood vessels in
   your brain to narrow which will in turn restrict the amount of blood flow to
   your brain cells. This will cause cell damage and cell death resulting in an
   ischemic stroke.
 * Hyponatremia: A ruptured aneurysm can cause the balance of sodium in your
   blood to become imbalanced and cause the sodium levels to drop. A drop in
   blood sodium levels can cause brain cells to swell causing damage.

Brain aneurysms if ruptured can cause my complications, therefore it is
important to know and understand all signs and symptoms and make sure to quickly
seek medical attention if you notice you or a loved one exhibiting these
symptoms.

If you have had a stroke and are looking for an effective solution for your 
stroke rehab [https://www.neofect.com/us/smart-glove] needs, please look into
the NEOFECT [https://www.neofect.com/en] line of Smart Rehabilitation Solutions,
which include support from occupational therapists to maximize your
rehabilitation, please call (866) 534-4989 or email contactus@neofect.com.

For more information on brain aneurysm:
Mayo Clinic - Brain Aneurysm
[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483]
Healthline - Brain Aneurysm
[https://www.healthline.com/health/aneurysm-in-the-brain]
WebMD - What is a Brain Aneurysm [https://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-aneurysm#1]

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the NEOFECT website is solely at your
own risk.

brain aneurysm

Stroke is a disease caused by the abrupt stoppage of blood flow to the brain. When the blood vessel providing oxygen and nutrients is disrupted, your brain is cut-off from the supply of those critical components, and causing your brain cells to quickly die. 

What causes stroke?


Stroke is a disease caused by the abrupt stoppage of blood flow to the brain.
When the blood vessel providing oxygen and nutrients is disrupted, your brain is
cut-off from the supply of those critical components, causing your brain cells
to quickly die. When a stroke causes restricted blood flow to a particular
region of the brain, that region’s performance is altered.

Read more about understanding your brain and stroke.
[https://blog.neofect.com/understanding-your-brain-and-stroke/]

Types of Strokes:
These disruptions can be caused by one of two things: a blockage or a ruptured
blood vessel. The disturbance of blood flow by a blockage, also referred to as a
clot, results in an ischemic stroke. The latter scenario, lack of blood flow due
to ruptured a blood vessel, is the cause of a hemorrhagic stroke. You may have
also heard of a “mini stroke” or a TIA (transient ischemic attack), which is
caused by a temporary clot.

Learn more about Mini Strokes
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/ministroke-and-stroke-what-should-we-do]

Your brain is divided into two hemispheres, left and right. Each hemisphere
manages its own responsibilities, hence the common myth of being a
“left-brained” or “right-brained” thinker based off of personal strengths.
Right-brained thinkers tend to be analytical and mathematical while left-brained
thinkers are creative and artistic. The two hemispheres explains why a stroke
and its effects will look different depending on which side of the brain it
occurs. This is due to the contralateral relationship between the brain and the
body. This means that when the left side of the body, for example, has been
affected by a stroke, the injury to the brain likely occurred in the right
hemisphere, and vice versa.



You can read more about the symptoms and effects of a stroke on the left or
right side of the brain here.

5 Symptoms of a Stroke on the Right Side of the Brain
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/5-symptoms-right-side-stroke-brain]
5 Symptoms of a Stroke on the Left Side of the Brain
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/5-symptoms-left-side-stroke-brain]

Stroke Causes:


While the exact cause of some strokes is ultimately unknown, there is heavy
research on a number of factors that have been directly linked to the disease.
While not all of the factors are within your control, knowing the high risk
factors is an important part of prevention, especially if you are in an at-risk
group or have already experienced a previous stroke.

Lifestyle risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol use,
illicit drug use, and exposure to cigarette smoke - first and secondhand.

Medically-treatable factors include cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol,
diabetes, and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the most prevalent
cause and more than doubles your risk of having a stroke. Understanding why
maintaining your blood pressure is so important is vital to prevention of first
and recurrent strokes. To learn more check out Why is Maintaining Healthy Blood
Pressure Important?
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/why-maintaining-healthy-blood-pressure-important]

Uncontrollable factors include age, family history, race, gender, and having a
previous stroke. If you have already experienced one stroke, you are at an even
higher risk for having another. Within five years, the likelihood of a secondary
stroke can grow up to 40%. Recurrent strokes are also more likely to be fatal
and cause long term disability. You can read more about recurrent stroke
prevention here
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/how-can-i-prevent-having-another-stoke].

If you appear to have had a stroke, your medical professional will likely
perform tests as confirmation. They may continue to order these specific tests
that provide more insight into the nature of your particular case to monitor
your condition. Learn more about medical tests for diagnosing strokes here
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/medical-tests-for-diagnosing-strokes].

You can also read more in depth about the causes of strokes here. What Causes a
Stroke: 7 Major Stroke Risk Factors
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/7-major-stroke-risk-factors]

Find more resources on stroke management.
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/stroke-management]

Stroke

What causes a stroke?

The resulting stress can lead to some serious problems — one of them being an increased risk of suffering a stroke!

Can Stress Cause A Stroke? The Answer May Shock You!

The pressures of managing an increasingly challenging work-life balance take its
toll on our mental health. And the resulting stress can lead to some serious
problems — one of them being an increased risk of suffering a stroke!

Table of contents

 * How Does Stress Increase Your Chances Of A Stroke?
 * How Does A Stroke Happen?
 * What Exactly Happens During Stress?
 * How To Find Out If You Are Stressed?
 * How To Get Rid Of The Stress?

How Does Stress Increase Your Chances Of A Stroke?
Scientists have found that people who have heightened activity in the amygdala —
the part of the brain commonly linked to stress — are more likely to develop
cardiovascular disease. It contributes to aggravating health risks like 
hypertension, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, heart problems
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/7-major-stroke-risk-factors/], etc. These
health issues are categorized as ‘high risk factors’ for a stroke.

It has been found in a study that stress apparently raises the risk of a Stroke
or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
[http://www.neofect.com/us/blog/ministroke-and-stroke-what-should-we-do/] by
59%. A TIA is a mini-stroke caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the
brain.

Additionally, stress leads to developing harmful habits like smoking, which is
again a well-established risk factor for a stroke.

How Does A Stroke Happen?
There are two kinds of strokes that could happen!

1. Hemorrhagic Stroke
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-stroke/]:
Bleeding in the brain causes this kind of stroke. A weak spot in the wall of the
vessel can, in turn, cause an aneurysm (bulging of the vessel wall). The vessels
can become weak also by chronic high blood pressure and sometimes, they break
from the force.

When the vessel breaks, the blood leaks into surrounding tissue. It thereby
hampers the passage of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

2. Ischemic Stroke
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-stroke/]:
This happens because of blocked arteries, which can be caused owing to a buildup
of cholesterol.

It should be noted, that a person who has a comparatively healthy lifestyle and
has the right body weight, will be able to handle periodic high stress, without
much of a problem.

But, if the stress becomes chronic, it can cause a stroke. For people who
already have major health issues, stress can be a highly probable cause for
stroke. A person who is genetically predisposed to hypertension, diabetes,
obesity etc, is also at a higher risk for stroke caused by stress
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/7-major-stroke-risk-factors/].




What Exactly Happens During Stress?
Chronic stress results in continuous high levels of cortisol and other stress
hormones. This can cause retention of salt, which will then increase the bodily
blood pressure. With time, this causes stress on blood vessels.

Stress can also cause blood sugar to increase, due to which the vessels can’t
dilate or contract to control blood flow better.

Disruption in sleep cycles can be a result of increased levels of cortisol. 
Fatigue is the natural progression to this. Thereby, a person might exercise and
eat poorly. This is a vicious cycle that can cause any of the various health
issues that are responsible for strokes.

How To Find Out If You Are Stressed?
People usually ignore stress and don’t take the necessary steps to deal with it.
At the same time, it is impossible to measure the levels of stress — it depends
entirely on the tolerance levels of a person!

Some could be stressed owing to the pressures of a job, or some could be facing
the stress of dealing with difficult relationships. The extent to which one can
handle it determines the severity of stress.

However, you could pay attention to these subtle signs, to know if you are
stressed!

 * Do your family members and close friends keep asking you if you are stressed?
 * Do you find yourself at odds with them, more frequently?
 * Have you stopped doing things that used to make you happy?
 * Do you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, compared to your normal
   patterns?
 * Do you delay getting out of bed, especially if you know the day is going to
   be stressful?
 * Do you find an increase in the number of cigarettes you smoke or has your
   intake of alcohol suddenly increased?

If you find yourself nodding to most or all of these questions, it might be time
to take a step back and look for ways to manage the stress, before it causes
some serious trouble!


How To Get Rid Of The Stress?

Here are some habits you can implement in your day-to-day life to ensure that
you aren’t too stressed!

1. Exercise!
People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety as against
people who don’t. Exercise helps release endorphins, which improve your mood and
act as natural painkillers. Exercising regularly can also help regulate your
sleep patterns, and boost your confidence by improving your overall appearance!

2. Maintain A Healthy Diet!
Make sure your diet includes a healthy mix of green leafy vegetables, water, and
less caffeine. High doses of coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks can
increase anxiety! Test your sensitivity to caffeine before cutting down on it
entirely.

3. Laugh… A Lot!
Laughing can help relieve tension by relaxing the muscles. In the long term too,
laughter can improve your immune system and mood.

A study among people with cancer found that people in the laughter intervention
group experienced more stress relief than those who were simply distracted.

4. Spend Time With Family and Friends!
Having a rich social life can alleviate stress. Spending time with the people
you love releases oxytocin that is a natural stress reliever!

5. Learn To Say No!
Not all factors causing stress are within your control. But, you can always try
to be selective of the responsibilities you take on, especially when it comes to
work. Taking on more than you can handle, and then trying to juggle it all
successfully, can cause a lot of stress.

6. Be Mindful Of Procrastination!
Prioritize your tasks — and stay on top of it! Prepare a to-do list every day,
and give yourself realistic deadlines. This way you can avoid the last-minute
stress of trying to get too much done in a short period!

7. Cultivate Hobbies!
Having hobbies can give you the much-needed break from the routine, and refresh
your mind. Often, distraction is the best remedy for stress. Listening to music,
some light reading, painting, or something you enjoy doing, can work wonders for
your stress levels!

8. Get A Pet!
If you aren’t allergic to fur, you can always think of getting a pet. Pets can
be incredible stress relievers. They keep you active and provide companionship,
which can improve your mood by leaps and bounds!

Do not deprive yourself of anything, but make sure your body and mind do not
fall into the trap of chronic stress. If you feel that the stress you face in
your life is bogging you down, seek help. Pronto. You can lower the risk of
getting a stroke by about 24%!!


--
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*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]