Stroke Treatment

Stroke Treatment Specialist Q&A

If you notice the signs of stroke in yourself or someone you care about, don’t hesitate to come to an emergency room immediately, like Houston Medical ER, for essential medical care. Call us today for more information. We have convenient locations to serve you in Houston TX, and Spring TX.

Stroke is a medical condition that requires emergency care to prevent irreversible brain damage or worse from occurring. Moreover, stroke is most treatable when caught early on, so be sure that you seek medical treatment at the first signs of stroke. Our medical doctors specialize in emergency medical care at Houston Medical ER and can provide you with life-saving care if you or someone you care for experiences a stroke.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is reduced, interrupted, or excessive blood flow to one part of the brain, which either prevents that part of the brain from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function correctly and survive or puts too much pressure on the brain cells. Consequently, brain cells begin to die within minutes when a stroke occurs, which is why a stroke is considered a life-threatening medical emergency. A stroke can lead to irreversible brain damage, death, and various other complications.

There are three main types of stroke: ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, accounting for approximately 87 percent of all strokes, and involve reduced or blocked blood flow in the artery that supplies the oxygen-rich blood to the area of the brain experiencing the stroke.

In contrast, hemorrhagic strokes are much less common and occur when arteries in the brain rupture, causing excessive blood flow to the surrounding brain tissues.

A TIA stroke, also known as a mini-stroke, involves a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, usually occurring for approximately five minutes. As such, TIA strokes are typically regarded as warning signs that an ischemic stroke could be imminent and therefore require immediate medical attention.

What causes a stroke?

Since ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes occur differently, they also have different causes. With that in mind, the causes of an ischemic stroke often include any of the following:

• Atherosclerosis, which is a condition that involves the gradual narrowing of your arteries
• Blood clots, which have several attributable causes, such as arrhythmia, myocarditis, and others
• High cholesterol, which is the buildup of fatty deposits in your blood cells
• Hypotension, which is low blood pressure

Concerning hemorrhagic strokes, they can occur due to any of the following causes:

• Aneurysms
• Anticoagulant medications, particularly when they are over-prescribed
• Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which causes protein deposits that weaken blood vessel walls
• Head trauma
• Uncontrolled hypertension, which is high blood pressure

In some cases, a hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by an initial ischemic stroke.

What are the risk factors for stroke?

Various conditions, lifestyles, and habits qualify as risk factors for stroke, including the following:

• Age, particular for those aged 55 and older
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Lack of physical activity and exercise
• Obesity
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Recreational drug use, such as cocaine or methamphetamine
• Tobacco use
• Use of hormone therapies

What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?

Most of the signs and symptoms of a stroke occur suddenly. With that in mind, the signs and symptoms of a stroke are as follows:

• Confusion or trouble comprehending what others are saying
• Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
• Dizziness, difficulty walking, as well as loss of balance or coordination
• Numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, affecting the arms, face, or leg
• Severe headache
• Visual problems in either one or both eyes

Please feel free to call us for more information or visit one of our ER clinics in Houston and Spring, Texas, for a walk-in appointment. We serve patients from Houston TX, Spring TX, North Houston TX, The Woodlands TX, Humble TX, Heights TX, Downtown Houston TX, Northwest Houston TX, Northeast Houston TX, Conroe TX, Willis TX, Tomball TX, Cypress TX, and Memorial City TX.