2023-08-30 15:41:21
A stroke is life threatening. It often begins with hemiplegia, speech or vision problems. If the situation is recognized early, however, the worst can usually be prevented. What should you pay attention to? The most important answers in the FAQ:
How common is a stroke?
Almost 270,000 people suffer a stroke in Germany every year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, a stroke is the third most common cause of death in Germany following heart attacks and cancer, accounting for 15 percent of all deaths.
The trend is rising, because researchers from University of Oxford have calculated that the number of stroke patients will increase by 30 percent by 2040. The number of patients is expected to increase, among other things, because people are getting older and the risk of suffering a stroke is increasing. This is also worrying because stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults.
numbness? vision problems? These might be signs of a stroke. Image rights: Colourbox.de
What is the cause of a stroke?
The reason is often a circulatory disorder in the brain, for example due to a narrowed carotid artery. In more than 80 percent of cases, an artery that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by what is called a clot. As a result, the nerve cells in the brain receive too little blood and oxygen.
Bleeding in the brain following a blood vessel ruptures in the brain can also trigger a stroke. That accounts for almost 15 percent of all cases. An aneurysm is the rarest cause of a stroke. This leads to bleeding from a vascular bulge.
Symptoms: Time is Brain – time is brain
According to the German Stroke Society (DSG), the vascular occlusion that triggers a typical stroke kills an average of 1.9 million nerve cells per minute. Time is therefore the most important factor in keeping the consequences of a stroke as low as possible.
These are the typical stroke symptoms:
sudden paralysis or loss of sensation on one side of the body sudden trouble speaking, difficulty understanding the speech of others visual disturbances, for example double vision sudden severe headache sudden severe dizziness
Recognizing a stroke: Take the “FAST” test
The greatest chance of treating a stroke effectively is within the first few hours following the onset of symptoms, hence the saying “time is brain”.
It is therefore particularly important to recognize a stroke and the symptoms. Every minute counts!
The so-called “FAST” test can help
F stands for “Face”you should look at the face to see if it’s paralyzed on one side.
“A” stands for “Armed“You should have the person concerned raise both arms.
“S” stands for Language: One should hear whether the person concerned speaks slurred.
“T” stands for “Time”: One should not waste any time and call the emergency number 112. The FAST method for detecting strokes: F stands for “Face”, you should look at the face to see if it is paralyzed on one side. “A” stands for “arms”, you should let the person raise both arms. “S” stands for language: You should hear whether the person concerned is speaking slurred. “T” stands for “Time”: You shouldn’t waste any time and call the emergency number 112. Image rights: MITTELDEUTSCHER RUNDFUNK
Light stroke
A minor stroke, also known as a transient vascular accident, occurs when a transient blood clot forms in one of the arteries. This can lead to stroke symptoms, which usually resolve within 24 hours and cause no lasting side effects.
However, it can be the first sign of a serious emergency and should therefore always be medically clarified as soon as possible, even if the symptoms have disappeared following a while.
Treatment of an acute stroke
The treatment of an acute stroke depends, among other things, on the type, extent and time of the first onset of the symptoms. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the chance of preventing damage to the brain and other organs.
Patients are treated in so-called stroke units. These are special wards where those affected are treated in the first few days following their stroke. Usually there is one Thrombolysis carried out: Up to 4.5 hours following the appearance of the first symptoms, neurologists can dissolve the blood clot once more using a drug known as lysis. If this time window is exceeded or if the clot is particularly large, an Thrombektomie for use. The clot is mechanically removed with the help of a catheter. In individual cases, this procedure is still possible up to 24 hours following the stroke.
The time window in which stroke patients can benefit from a thrombectomy is therefore significantly larger than previously assumed. Until 2018, damaged tissue might only be saved regarding six to eight hours following a stroke. We now know that there is still hope for a long time to come.
Stroke units are special departments for stroke patients. Image rights: IMAGO / imagebroker
However, do not waste any time!
“That doesn’t mean you should wait long to get help,” emphasizes Dr. Alexander Reinshagen, head of the neurological department at the Sana Klinikum in Borna. Again and once more he experiences that patients lie down once more following the appearance of the first symptoms in order to rest and perhaps to recover on their own. “This is the worst mistake,” warns the brain expert.
It is still the case that brain cells are dying every minute, potentially causing serious irreversible damage to the brain.
Dr. Alexander Reinshagen
Therapy options and chances of recovery significantly improved
But Dr. Reinshagen also encourages: Thanks to modern radiological imaging, the therapy options and chances of recovery have improved significantly today. Some brain cells that were previously thought to be dead can be “awakened” once more. Many patients still benefit from a catheter procedure several hours following a stroke and make a substantial recovery following clot removal and rehabilitation. This is especially important for nocturnal strokes, where it is not known exactly when they actually happened, which is 15 to 20 percent of the time.
How to prevent?
After a first stroke, there is an increased risk of another stroke. Around 70,000 people in Germany have another stroke every year.
But there are several ways to reduce the risk. In consultation with a doctor treating you, medication for high blood pressure and blood thinning, for example, can be taken. But stopping smoking, exercising more and eating a balanced diet can also have a positive effect.
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This topic in the program:The First | BRISANT | May 10, 2023 | 5:15 p.m
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