Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the medical term for a stroke. A stroke is when blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either by a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel. There are important signs of a stroke that you should be aware of and watch out for.
symptons
Stroke symptoms include:
- difficulty walking
- dizziness
- loss of balance and coordination
- difficulty speaking or understanding others who are speaking
- numbness or paralysis in the face, leg, or arm, most likely on just one side of the body
- blurred or darkened vision
- a sudden headache, especially when accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
test and technology
- Blood tests: Your healthcare provider may want to test your blood for clotting time, blood sugar levels, or infection. These can all affect the likelihood and progression of a stroke.
- Angiogram: An angiogram, which involves adding a dye to your blood and taking an X-ray of your head, can help your doctor find the blocked or hemorrhaged blood vessel.
- Carotid ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to image the blood vessels in your neck. This test can help your provider determine if there’s abnormal blood flow toward your brain.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan is often performed soon after symptoms of a stroke develop. The test can help your provider find the problem area or other problems that might be associated with stroke.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI can provide a more detailed picture of the brain compared to CT scan
- Echocardiogram: This imaging technique uses sound waves to create a picture of your heart. It can help your provider find the source of blood clots.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): This is an electrical tracing of your heart. This will help your provider determine if an abnormal heart rhythm is the cause of a stroke.
treatment
accidentTreatment for stroke depends on the type of stroke you’ve had. The goal of treatment for ischemic stroke, for instance, is to remove the blockage. Treatments for hemorrhagic stroke are aimed at controlling the bleeding.
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prognosis |
There’s a recovery period after having any kind of stroke, the length of which varies depending on how severe the stroke was. You may need to participate in rehabilitation because of the stroke’s effects on your health, particularly any disabilities it may cause. This can include speech therapy or occupational therapy, or work with a psychiatrist, neurologist, or other healthcare professional.
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Professions
- Neurologists
- Treats nervous system disorders.
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree; clinical residency, often followed by a fellowship in a specialized area
- $197,700
- Neurosurgeon
- Specializes in nervous system disorders
- Bachelor’s degree, medical school, internship
- 395,000
- Primary Care Provider
- c
- Radiologist
- Uses images to diagnose and treat disease within the body.
- completion of a bachelor's degree program, medical school, and a residency
- $259,959
emotions
After a stroke, people often experience emotional and behavioral changes. This is because stroke affects the brain, and our brain controls our behavior and emotions. Injury from a stroke may make a person forgetful, careless, irritable or confused. Stroke survivors may also feel anxiety, anger or depression.