Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Tips for Stroke

Stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs due to disruption of blood flow to the brain, causing damage to brain tissue. Stroke is one of the main causes of death and disability in the world, including in Indonesia. Understanding stroke, its symptoms, and how to treat it is very important to prevent further complications.

Types of Strokes
Strokes are divided into:

Ischemic Stroke
Occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain are blocked by blood clots or plaque. This is the most common type of stroke.

Hemorrhagic Stroke
Caused by the rupture of blood vessels in the brain, which results in bleeding in the brain tissue.


Stroke Symptoms
Stroke symptoms appear suddenly and can include:

Weakness or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body.
Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
Visual disturbances in one or both eyes.
Dizziness, loss of balance or body coordination.
Severe headache for no apparent reason.

Stroke Risk Factors
Some risk factors for stroke include:
Hypertension
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Smoke
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle

Tips on How to Treat Stroke
Stroke treatment depends on the type of stroke the patient is experiencing. Here are some common approaches:

Medical Treatment

Ischemic Stroke: Initial treatment involves administering thrombolytic drugs such as alteplase or tenecteplase to dissolve the blood clot. Endovascular procedures such as thrombectomy may also be performed.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: Treatment involves blood pressure control and, if necessary, surgery to stop the bleeding or reduce pressure on the brain.

Stroke Rehabilitation
Once the patient's condition is stable, rehabilitation therapy is very important to restore body function. This program includes:

Physiotherapy to restore motor skills.
Speech Therapy to help patients overcome communication problems.
Occupational Therapy to retrain daily skills.

Lifestyle Changes: 
Maintain a healthy diet low in saturated fat and salt.
Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day.
Risk Factor Management
Regularly control blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol to prevent repeated strokes.

Stroke Prevention
Preventing stroke is much more effective than treating it. Some preventive steps include:

Maintain ideal body weight.
Consume balanced nutritious food.
Avoid excessive stress.
Carry out routine health checks.
Conclusion
Stroke is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications. With proper treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes, stroke patients have a greater chance of recovery. Prevention through a healthy lifestyle is also very important to reduce the risk of stroke in the future.

 

Referensi
Benjamin, E. J., Virani, S. S., Callaway, C. W., et al. (2018). "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association." Circulation, 137(12), e67-e492. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558.
Donkor, E. S. (2018). "Stroke in the 21st Century: A Snapshot of the Burden, Epidemiology, and Quality of Life." Stroke Research and Treatment, 2018, Article ID 3238165. doi:10.1155/2018/3238165.
Hankey, G. J. (2017). "Stroke." The Lancet, 389(10069), 641-654. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30962-X.