Did you know that having another stroke is associated with severe disability? Severe stroke is a serious and dangerous medical condition that occurs because blood flow to the brain is interrupted or stops suddenly. You need to know the main cause, the impact on the sufferer, and how to treat it. Even though a severe stroke can be called a chronic disease, there is no need to worry because with proper treatment it can cure a severe stroke completely. Therefore, ignoring or not immediately treating a serious stroke can have serious consequences, such as more severe damage to the brain and body functions, even leading to death. Through the following article, you will be exposed to the many classifications for preventing and treating severe strokes properly, of course in accordance with medical recommendations and regular doctor consultations.
Causes of Severe Stroke
The main causes of severe stroke include:
- Ischemic stroke: Disorders of heart rhythm or valves, plaque in the carotid arteries that narrows and ruptures.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: uncontrolled HT, aneurysm or bulging of the blood vessel wall, blood vessel deformity (vascular malformation)
- Classic risk factors associated with stroke: Several risk factors can increase a person's risk of having a major stroke. These include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, as well as a family history of stroke.
- Consumption of certain medicines: Certain medicines, especially those used to treat conditions such as blood clots, can increase the risk of bleeding and stroke, such as metafamin, cocaine and cough and cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine.
It is important to remember that most of the risk factors associated with severe stroke can be modified through healthy lifestyle changes and management of underlying medical conditions. Prevention of severe stroke involves controlling risk factors, such as maintaining normal blood pressure, managing diabetes, stopping smoking, maintaining a balanced body weight, adopting a healthy diet and carrying out medical check-ups on the heart and carotid neck blood vessels.
Impact of Severe Stroke
Severe stroke can have a serious impact on the sufferer, both in the short and long term. The following are some of the common impacts of a major stroke:
- Loss of motor function , such as paralysis and weakness of body functions. Loss of ability to perform basic tasks related to daily self-care
- Difficulty speaking and communicating
- Vision problems , such as double vision or functioning in only one eye.
- Emotional and psychological problems , this will greatly impact the sufferer's emotional well-being. Depression, anxiety, mood changes, and other psychological problems often occur after a stroke.
- Risk of recurrent stroke : Severe stroke sufferers have a higher risk of experiencing recurrent stroke, especially if the risk factors are not yet known or have not been adequately controlled.
Treatment of Severe Stroke
Recovery from a major stroke is a long process and often requires medical support, rehabilitation and social support. It is better to recognize stroke symptoms early, immediately go to the hospital to get help. The quicker the help, the quicker the cerebral blood flow returns, the fewer nerve cells die, which of course will determine how good the ability to be functionally independent (taking care of oneself, eating, drinking, bathing, dressing). Several important benefits from immediately recognizing a severe stroke and implementing severe stroke treatment can aim to stop further brain damage, facilitate the recovery of lost function, and prevent complications that can occur.
Here we present treatments that you or your friends who have experienced a serious stroke can apply:
- Emergency medical care : When someone experiences symptoms of a severe stroke, emergency medical care is the top priority. This includes rapid assessment in the emergency department, monitoring vital signs (such as blood pressure), and providing medical care as needed.
- Intensive care : Severe stroke sufferers may require intensive care in an intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and management of serious medical conditions such as compromised breathing or unstable blood pressure.
- Rehabilitation : Rehabilitation therapy is important in recovering from severe stroke. It involves physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy designed to improve the sufferer's motor function, independence, and ability to speak and communicate. This is done individually according to routine needs.
- Risk factor management : Treatment and management of underlying risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disorders, is critical to preventing recurrent stroke.
- Psychological support : Severe stroke sufferers often experience psychological problems such as depression or anxiety. Psychological support from medical professionals or counselors can help them cope with emotional changes that may occur.
- Lifestyle changes : After recovery, healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.
In fact, serious strokes can be treated and cured immediately, again depending on the treatment time factor. Delaying treatment can have a more significant subsequent impact, therefore, immediately consult your medical needs via EMC Healthcare's Online Appointment service to make doctor's appointments easier and faster.
Article written by dr. Kevin, Sp.N (Neurology / Neurology Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).