Download The brain and stroke

SECTION 1
The Brain and Stroke
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The brain and stroke
► How
the brain works
► Understanding stroke
► Stroke risk factors
► Effects of stroke
► Stroke recovery
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Brain functions
– motor functions and the
coordination of movement
► Perception – how we interpret information from
our senses
► Sensation – such as touch
► Vision – how we see
► Cognition – thinking, remembering,
understanding, planning, reasoning and
problem-solving
► Communication – speaking and understanding
► Personality – including emotions and behaviour
► Movement
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The two sides of the brain control different functions
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The brain needs oxygen and nutrients
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Types of stroke
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Understanding stroke
Stroke
► A sudden injury to part of the brain caused when
blood flow in an artery stops.
► The affected area of the brain is deprived of
oxygen and nutrients. This damages the
neurons and the functions they control.
► Neurons that die cannot be replaced or restored.
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Understanding TIA
TIA
► Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
► When an artery has only a temporary blockage,
it is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or
warning stroke.
► The symptoms last only a few minutes to an
hour. It is not sure if TIA leaves permanent brain
damage, but the symptoms should never be
ignored as there is a chance for the person to
have another, more damaging stroke.
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5 warning signs of stroke
Weakness - Sudden loss of strength or sudden
numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.
Trouble speaking - Sudden difficulty speaking or
understanding or sudden confusion, even if
temporary.
Vision problems - Sudden trouble with vision, even if
temporary.
Headache - Sudden severe and unusual headache.
Dizziness - Sudden loss of balance, especially with any
of the above signs.
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Key point
Stroke quickly damages or kills neurons in the
brain. Recognize the signs early and call 911 or
your local emergency number. Without fast
treatment, the chance of reducing stroke damage
decreases fast.
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Risk factors for stroke
► There
are two kinds of risk factors:
► Modifiable risk factors can be controlled by
lifestyle changes, medical treatment, and
medications.
► Non-modifiable risk factors, such as age,
cannot be changed.
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Modifiable risk factors
► Hypertension
(high blood pressure)
► Hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol)
► Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat)
► Diabetes
► Smoking
► Being overweight or obese
► Physical inactivity
► Excessive alcohol consumption
► Stress (not managing stress)
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Non-modifiable risk factors
Age (while strokes can occur at any age, most
occur over age 65)
► Gender (women have a lower risk before
menopause than men. But more women than men
die of stroke)
► Ethnicity (increased risk for persons of Aboriginal,
African or South Asian descent because of higher
rates of high blood pressure and diabetes)
► Family history (if a parent or sibling had a stroke
before age 65)
► Prior stroke or TIA
►
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Key point
Having a stroke or TIA increases the risk of
another stroke. The risk is greatest immediately
after the stroke or TIA and stays high for 5
years. Overall, 30% of stroke survivors have a
second stroke.
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Effects of stroke
The effects of a stroke depend on many things:
► The region of the brain that was affected
► The size of the area that was damaged by the
stroke
► The functions that the area controlled
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Common effects of stroke
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Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
Vision problems
Communication problems
Fatigue
Incontinence (loss of bladder control)
Changes in how a person perceives or interprets the
world
Personality changes
Depression or loss of emotional control
Ability to remember, solve problems, and communicate
with others
Stroke recovery depends on:
► The
type and severity of the stroke
► Age and health
► Family support
► Personal outlook
► Availability of rehab services
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Key point
What is the difference between impairment and
disability?
►Impairment is the change in function caused by
the stroke.
►Disability is the change in ability to meet daily
demands or do things because of an impairment.
Disability can be extremely frustrating for the
survivor.
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You can help stroke survivors to:
► Relearn
routine activities of living
► Regain abilities so they can go back to living like
they used to
► Cope with challenges and frustrations
► Do things they can’t do for themselves yet.
► You
can also support and educate family
members.
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Upon reflection
► Would
you be able to recognize the
signs of a stroke?
► Are
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you at risk for a stroke?