Stroke
When a stroke occurs, brain cells die.
What is a stroke?
Stroke is a general term referring to the many different types of damage that can occur when the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the brain is interrupted. During a stroke, one of the arteries leading to the brain becomes clogged, or may burst, slowing or stopping the flow of blood. As a result, brain cells begin to die and some of the body functions may begin to deteriorate.
Approximately 10% of
ischemic strokes are preceded by a cluster of "warning" symptoms known as a Transient
Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as a "mini stroke". A blood clot temporarily
clogs an artery, reducing blood flow to part of the brain. In TIA, blood flow is
quickly restored and no permanent damage occurs. A patient with a TIA may
experience a temporary loss of vision, numbness or paralysis on one side of the
body, but the symptoms resolve and the patient returns to normal over time.
