The brain is an important organ that functions as the control center for the body’s operations. If any part of the brain malfunctions, it will affect the organs controlled by that part of the brain. One of the brain diseases that is a leading cause of death worldwide and in Thailand, and is increasingly prevalent, is ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke (Stroke) which causes hemiplegia and paralysis. The causes of brain cell death due to lack of blood supply are divided into two groups: ischemic stroke or blockage, and hemorrhagic stroke.
Ischemic Stroke
Occurs due to blockage of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in a lack of blood supply to the brain area where the blockage occurs. It is common in the elderly and those with other diseases such as high blood cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, or caused by inflammation of blood vessels, vascular accidents, certain vascular diseases, and some heart diseases such as myocardial infarction, which can cause blood clots to block blood vessels, leading to ischemic stroke.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Caused by degeneration of blood vessels, which occurs with age and other contributing factors that accelerate vessel degeneration, especially in people with long-term uncontrolled hypertension or those with congenital blood vessel abnormalities.
The condition of stroke patients varies depending on different causes or risk factors, and the size of the brain vessels also varies. Symptoms depend on the disease progression, location, and size of the affected vessels. Common symptoms include numbness, weakness, dizziness, unsteady walking, double vision, language impairment, and loss of balance.
If someone close to you shows these symptoms, they should be taken to a doctor immediately for examination and treatment because this diseasehas a golden time of only 3 hours after symptom onset. If the patient arrives late at the hospital, they may lose the opportunity to receive treatment. The treatment aims to restore blood flow to the ischemic brain tissue, reduce the area of brain tissue that is deprived of blood and dies, to minimize disability from hemiplegia and paralysis, and to monitor and prevent complications in the patient.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Upon arrival at the doctor, the patient will undergo brain imaging with a high-resolution MRI or CT scan to assist in diagnosis. Once diagnosed with stroke, appropriate treatment will be administered, including thrombolytic therapy (R-TPA) for patients who meet the criteria and have no contraindications. Additionally, close monitoring of the patient’s condition and treatment of complications such as hemiplegia and paralysis, which may develop rapidly, will be provided. Patients will receive physical therapy to restore function and management of risk factors to reduce the chance of recurrence.
