What is stroke?
The condition commonly called 'jungpung' in Korean literally means 'struck by wind', a term likening it to a sudden decline in bodily function. Stroke mainly results from impaired cerebral blood circulation, and can occur when vessels narrow or become blocked so that the blood supply is not smooth.
As a result, paralysis may appear in a particular part of the body or speech may become difficult, and symptoms such as headache, dizziness, gait disturbance and visual field defects may accompany it. Without proper management, the symptoms may also persist.
Stroke requires not only acute treatment but also continuous prevention and management. It is important to improve lifestyle habits and combine regular health screening with rehabilitation, and to establish a treatment plan through consultation with a specialist.
Causes of stroke
Hypertension and atherosclerosis are generally the direct causes. As atherosclerosis and hypertension progress, the arterial walls thicken and the vessels narrow or become blocked; at the same time the vessels weaken, and unable to withstand the high blood pressure, they rupture. Other risk factors include hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, heart disease, medications, a family history of stroke and a previous stroke. Hypertension is the cause in 80% of cases, diabetes in 5% and hyperlipidemia in 40%.
Symptoms of stroke
Depending on where the stroke occurs, various symptoms can appear in part of the body or throughout it.
Severity varies widely: it may be so mild that the person barely notices it, while severe cases can lead to loss of consciousness and death.
-
Aged 40 or over with a history of hypertension or diabetes
-
Families of stroke patients
-
Persistent brain fog and headaches
-
Slurred speech
-
The back of the neck is always stiff
-
Frequent dizziness and nausea
-
Numbness and weakness in the hands and feet
-
A feeling of facial paralysis
-
A ringing sensation in the ear
-
Frequent facial flushing and a rush of heat upward
-
Trouble falling asleep
-
Occasional double or blurred vision
Prevention of stroke
- Blood pressure check
You should check your own blood pressure.
- Quit smoking
When you stop smoking, the risk begins to fall immediately and is halved after one year. After five years the risk drops to about the same level as a non-smoker, which makes quitting highly effective.
- Exercise
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3~4 days a week. Running, brisk walking and cycling are good choices.
- A regular check-up once a year
The risk factors for stroke can be identified easily with basic check-ups and tests. It is best to see a doctor near you once a year to check them.
Treatment of stroke
Within a few hours of a cerebral vessel becoming blocked, the patient must immediately be given a thrombolytic agent to dissolve the clot obstructing the vessel and restore blood flow to the brain. Once cerebral blood flow is cut off, irreversible damage occurs within only a few hours, so it is important not to miss the window and to begin treatment within at least 3 to 6 hours.
Blood clots form on atherosclerotic vessel walls, so antiplatelet drugs must be given to prevent this.
Anticoagulants are used to prevent the blood from clotting in cases such as cerebral embolism due to heart disease, progressively worsening cerebral ischemia, and frequent transient ischemic attacks. Most strokes are intracerebral hemorrhages caused by hypertension. In such cases emergency treatment such as control of blood pressure and intracranial pressure is essential, and surgery to drain the pooled blood is sometimes required. Stroke is the condition that most urgently calls for the patient's own courage to overcome the illness and for constant encouragement and cooperation from the family.
