What are the Different Types of Stroke and Their Treatments?

Types of Brain Stroke and How They’re Treated

Stroke is a critical medical condition that occurs when there is a sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain, leading to irreversible damage. The restoration of blood flow is essential for replenishing oxygen and nutrients in brain tissues and promoting overall recovery.  

Without immediate intervention, the consequences can be severe, resulting in organ failure, permanent disability, or even death. A comprehensive understanding of the types of brain stroke, its causes, symptoms, and prevention tips enhances the ability to minimize its damage and improve patient outcomes.

Keep on reading for more details!  

What is the Medical Meaning of Brain Stroke?

Another term used to describe stroke is cerebrovascular accident, which is an acute and life-threatening health complication. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. It can result in lasting brain damage, long-term disability, and, in severe cases, death.

Stroke treatment typically involves medication and surgical interventions. Neurologists specializing in stroke care and neuroendovascular procedures are the primary care providers who deal with stroke patients.

What are the Different Types of Brain Stroke?

One in four people may have a stroke in their lifetime. Associated with some cerebrovascular disorders, a stroke primarily occurs due to two reasons. One is the reduction of blood flow to the brain, referred to as ischaemic. The second is due to internal bleeding in the brain, also termed hemorrhagic stroke.

The following is a detailed overview:

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Also termed as a mild or mini stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) refers to a condition leading to neurological dysfunction. This results from a lack of blood flow in the brain, spinal cord, or retina. However, TIA does not lead to any permanent impairment or infarction.

This condition is a medical emergency that closely mimics an ischemic stroke.

Ischemic Stroke

The majority of strokes (around 75% to 85%) are due to occlusion of blood vessels in the brain, which is called a blood clot stroke or Ischemic stroke.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

The second type is less common, though equally as deadly as the ischemic type, which is when an artery in the brain leaks or bursts, also called a hemorrhagic stroke. Ruptured blood vessels in the brain can lead to bleeding either within the brain itself (intracerebral haemorrhage) or on the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage).

What is the Cause of a Brain Stroke?

Find a detailed overview of the causes of a brain stroke below:

• The cause of stroke can be narrowed down to one reason: a blood clot. It forms within an artery, which is narrowed down due to cholesterol plaque.
• Alternatively, it can also travel from the heart, specifically when it’s not beating correctly (heart pumping chaotically or an irregular heartbeat) or during a heart valve complication.
• When any of these blood vessels in the brain gets obstructed or ruptured, a stroke is bound to happen.
• The lack of oxygen, as well as blood supply, results in immediate microstructural changes in the brain cells and stops their functioning.
• This results in changes that directly affect the processes in the body parts, resulting in stroke symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of a Brain Stroke?

Identification of stroke warning signs is extremely crucial to allow for the most effective possible treatment. If a stroke is detected early within the golden period or the window period, the treatment provided will improve the outcome, and the patients can recover.

The symptoms of a brain stroke are:

• Loss of arm or leg power  
• Change in speech to an incomprehensible format  
• Face drooping

Through the acronym FAST (Face deviation/Arm weakness/Speech difficulty/time), these symptoms can be memorized, and individuals can take timely action.

How to Prevent a Brain Stroke?

With the aid of adopting healthy behaviours and monitoring any existing health issues, people can prevent brain strokes. The following measures are meant to help in the prevention of cerebrovascular accidents:

• Adopting a Healthy Diet: Eating foods that are low in cholesterol, trans fats, and saturated fats while being high in fibre can help reduce the risk of a stroke.
• Regular Physical Activity: Maintaining a routine of physical activity, such as a brisk walk for approximately two and a half hours per week, significantly decreases the chances of having a stroke.
• Avoiding Alcoholism:Strokes are more common in individuals who have high blood pressure, which can be caused by drinking too much alcohol. Therefore, avoiding alcohol altogether decreases the chance of having a stroke.
• Being Overweight or Obese: Studies suggest individuals who are obese or overweight tend to be more susceptible to having strokes.
• Controlling Cholesterol:Stroke occurrences significantly increase with poor cholesterol levels, making it vital to maintain good cholesterol levels.
• Controlling Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure:The risk of stroke is lower in individuals who maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The same applies to blood pressure, where a low intake of salt helps proper management.

What are the Treatment Options for Brain Stroke?

Patients suffering from strokes require immediate help. Due to this, time is of the essence in diagnosing and assessing the individual in order to aid the recovery of the brain. The following are the treatment options for brain stroke:

Treatment for Ischemic Stroke:

1 Medications

• Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): A clot-busting drug that helps restore blood flow when administered within a specific time window.
• Anticoagulants and Blood Thinners: These are used to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.

2 Interventional Procedures

• Thrombectomy: A minimally invasive procedure to remove a blood clot from a blocked artery in the brain.
• Angioplasty and Stenting: Involves widening narrowed arteries and inserting a stent to keep the artery open.

3 Surgical Treatment

• Carotid Endarterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove plaque buildup from the carotid artery to improve blood flow to the brain.

Treatment for Hemorrhagic Stroke

1 Medical Management

• Antihypertensive Medications: Used to control high blood pressure and prevent further bleeding.
• Intravenous (IV) Fluids: Help stabilize the patient and support brain function.
• Medications to Reduce Brain Swelling: Aim to manage intracranial pressure and protect brain tissue.

2 Surgical Interventions

• Clipping of Aneurysms: A surgical procedure to block blood flow into an aneurysm.
• Coil Embolization: A less invasive procedure to fill an aneurysm with coils and prevent rupture.
• Surgical Drainage: Removal of accumulated blood to relieve pressure on the brain.
• Craniotomy: Surgical removal of part of the skull to relieve swelling and pressure.
• Treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): This may include surgical removal, non-invasive radiosurgery, or embolization to reduce or eliminate the AVM.
• Blood Transfusion: Administered if there is significant blood loss.

Brain Stroke Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation plays a central role in brain stroke recovery. It includes:  

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Psychiatric therapy

Timely identification and management of a stroke certainly improve the quality of recovery and long-term health. Also, proper rehabilitation and healthy living are vital steps toward avoiding complications.

Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that you have a health insurance plan which covers brain strokes. It will help you access quality treatment without any delay, ensuring timely treatment and positive outcomes.

Check out the Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy for comprehensive coverage for brain stroke and several other critical diseases.

Call us today for further details!