Numerous complications can occur in the body after a cerebrovascular accident (better known as a stroke). These can usually be treated, but can sometimes have an impact on the rest of your life. The length of time that stroke side effects linger depends heavily on the type, severity, and location of the stroke. During the event of a stroke, some brain cells die or become damaged, leading to physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. There are three types of stroke, some more dangerous and more likely to disable a person than others. These include ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes).
Ischemic Stroke
This type of stroke is the most common among the general population. It is usually caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. This leads to a cut-off of blood supply, causing parts of the brain to stop receiving oxygenated blood. Unfortunately, when nerve cells stop receiving oxygen and blood flow, they begin to die and/or become damaged. These damaged parts of the brain are what cause the various disabilities a survivor may experience after the stroke. There are two types of ischemic strokes: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot forms in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. On the other hand, Embolic ischemic strokes occur when a blood clot or other substance travels through the bloodstream to an artery in the brain.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
This type of stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures. The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells and leads to a drastic increase in intracranial pressure. This causes the brain to swell, or hemorrhage, compressing certain cells and causing them to die or become damaged. There are two types of hemorrhagic strokes: intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke is the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke and occurs when an artery in the brain bursts, flooding the surrounding tissue with blood. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a less common type of hemorrhagic stroke and refers to bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
This type of stroke is referred to as a ‘mini-stroke’, as it is generally less dangerous and damaging than the other types of stroke. In this case, blood flow to the brain is blocked only for a short period of time – no more than 5 minutes. This can cause a small amount of damage to occur, but nothing as serious as in the case of an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. A TIA is usually considered a warning sign for future strokes and should not be taken lightly. Although it is not as dangerous as the other two types of stroke, a TIA is your body telling you to start being careful. After experiencing a TIA, your doctor will strongly recommend you to take preventive measures, improve your lifestyle choices, and undergo treatment (if needed). If a TIA is dealt with properly, the chance of having another stroke is drastically reduced.
- Atherosclerosis – a disease in which a fatty substance (plaque) builds up on the inner walls of the arteries, limiting blood flow.
- Carotid Artery Disease – a condition in which plaque builds up in the carotid arteries.
- Blood clot
- Piece of plaque breaks away from the wall of an artery
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Blood disorders
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis
- Trouble with balance and coordination
- Pain, numbness, burning and tingling sensations
- Chronic post-stroke fatigue
- Speech problems, difficulty understanding speech, reading, or writing
- Memory problems, poor attention span, difficulty solving problems
The degree of disability depends on the severity of the stroke
The extent to which someone is disabled after a stroke heavily depends on the type and severity of the stroke. What can also significantly influence recovery from a stroke is the type and not least the time at which it occurred. If you or a loved one have suffered from an ischemic stroke, learn more about CBC Health’s regenerative stem cell stroke treatment. Check out our frequently asked questions regarding stroke treatment and recovery or call our experts today at (855) 818-4886!
