subject: Prevent Paralysis! Do Not Let It Destroy Your Life!!! [print this page] Cerebrovascular stroke occurs without any warning signs and can shatter the happy life of a patient within a few seconds. Before the patient knows, he is paralyzed and may have to remain bedridden for several months. It is important for patients to know the risk factors of this condition so that they can prevent its occurrence by taking drugs like Plavix.
What is cerebrovascular stroke?
Brain cells require a constant supply of oxygen through the arteries. Cerebrovascular stroke is a condition arising due to obstructed blood supply to the brain.
Causes of stroke
Any condition that can affect the blood supply of the brain can cause a stroke. The common causes of stroke are mentioned beneath:
Block in the cerebral arteries: factors that lead to narrowing of the arteries of the brain can cause cerebrovascular stroke. Some common causes of blockage in the cerebral arteries are given below:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Chronic smoking
Rupture of the cerebral artery: A cerebral hemorrhage can cause bleeding within the brain leading to a sudden attack of cerebrovascular stroke and paralysis.
Embolic stroke: any block in the arteries of the brain, because of emboli passing from the coronary arteries to the brain, can lead to stroke. Emboli are formed due to the clotting of blood or formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Vasculitis
Signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular stroke
Sudden one-sided weakness or numbness of the arm, the leg or the face
Complete or partial loss of voluntary movements and sensations
Tingling sensation in the affected area
Trouble speaking
Loss of balance
Tests that can be used for confirming the diagnosis of stroke are mentioned beneath:
MRI scan
Computerized tomography
Computerized tomography with angiography
Conventional angiogram
Importance of prevention of cerebrovascular stroke
Once patients suffer a stroke, they not only have to bear the cost of its treatment, which is quite expensive, but also have to bear the hidden cost of lost salary due to paralysis. They also lose their freedom to move around at their will. The negative impact of this condition on the quality of life of the patient can not be measured in terms of money.
Prevention of stroke
Patients, who are at a high risk of developing stroke, should remember that it is easier and better to prevent a stroke than to treat it. Plavix is an efficient drug that can help in preventing strokes. The main ingredient of Plavix is Clopidogrel bisulfate. Plavix is an anti-platelet medication, which helps in the prevention of stroke by causing inhibition of the clotting of blood. It works by inhibiting platelets from sticking together. Patients can take this drug in a daily dosage of 75 milligrams.
It should be noted that about 750,000 people get affected by strokes in the United States each year. Stroke is also the third commonest cause of mortality. Use of efficient drugs such as plavix can help in saving many lives by preventing the occurrence of this condition.
