What kinds of strokes are there? What kinds are most typical? And what details about each type are important to know? Important information and details await you in the following article.
Let's learn more about the various stroke types in the following:
Types of stroke: an important introduction
Although ischemic stroke is a different term for stroke in common usage, some medical explanations are required in this case.
Only some types of stroke are covered by the term "thrombosis," which is frequently used in medical contexts where a blood vessel in the body becomes blocked as a result of a thrombus (clot) lodged there. Examples of these stroke types include:
- Some types of ischemic stroke .
- Mini stroke.
In keeping with the standard nomenclature of the condition, we will deal with the idea of a stroke as an alternative name for the condition.
The main types of stroke
There are two main types of stroke:
1. Hemorrhagic stroke
This type results from a blood vessel rupture in the brain, and this rupture may happen particularly in regions where the cerebral blood vessels have thinned.
When compared to the ischemic stroke, which we will talk about later, hemorrhagic stroke is a rare form of the disease.
A hemorrhagic stroke can be very dangerous. When one of the cerebral vessels ruptures, the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain is cut off, and the brain tissues may swell and blood may begin to collect inside the head, which may impose increasing pressure on the brain tissues and the rest of the blood vessels in it, and this pressure may cause severe damage to the brain. severe brain injury.
Hemorrhagic stroke is classified into several types as follows:
- Stroke caused by bleeding inside the brain
This kind develops when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, potentially resulting in swift internal bleeding.
This kind of stroke is potentially dangerous and severe, may occur suddenly, may not be preceded by any warning signs, and may result in coma or death.
Patients with high blood pressure are more vulnerable to this kind of stroke.
- Stroke caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage
This type arises as a result of bleeding in the vicinity of the brain; particularly in the subarachnoid space separating the brain from the membrane surrounding it (which is known as the meninges). This kind of stroke frequently results in a sudden, excruciating headache and may make a popping sound.
Some people are more prone to this type of hemorrhagic stroke for a variety of reasons, including using blood thinners, receiving a direct head injury, having a bleeding disorder, and having an aneurysm.
2. Ischemic stroke
This type of stroke develops when blood cannot reach the brain due to a blood vessel blockage, which can be brought on by a number of factors, including blood clots or the buildup of fatty deposits and cholesterol.
When blood flow to the brain is stopped, the supply of oxygen and other vital nutrients to brain tissues is interrupted, which may trigger the beginning of these tissues' demise within minutes.
One of the most prevalent types of stroke is an ischemic stroke. 80-90% of medically documented stroke cases are ischemic strokes.
Ischemic stroke is classified into several types as follows:
- Thrombotic stroke
This type arises as a result of the formation of a blood clot in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, and these clots are often formed as a result of a defect in the cerebral artery in particular. It is important to note that thromboembolic strokes account for nearly half of all stroke cases.
Thromboembolism is more common among the elderly, especially those with certain medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis or diabetes.
- embolic stroke;
An embolic stroke develops when a blood clot, an accumulation of fat and cholesterol, or both block a blood vessel in the brain. However, unlike the previous type, the substances that cause the blockage are often formed outside the periphery of the brain, to be transported with the bloodstream to the brain .
This kind of stroke is more common in people who have had heart surgery in the past or who have a medical condition related to the heart. Symptoms of an embolic stroke often appear immediately on the patient, as this type of stroke tends to worsen at an accelerated rate without warning.
Other types of stroke
There are additional types of stroke besides those already mentioned, including the following:
1. Mini stroke
This type, also referred to as a transient ischemic attack, happens when a blood clot momentarily prevents blood flow to the brain.
It is advised to seek medical attention right away if you experience any mini-stroke symptoms because they are frequently an early sign that the patient is about to experience a full-blown stroke.
The symptoms of a mini-stroke are the same as the symptoms of other types of stroke, but they frequently go away within minutes or hours, and they may do so at such a rate that the patient may not even be aware that he ever had a stroke.
2. Silent stroke
This type is known as a silent stroke due to the difficulty of monitoring and distinguishing its symptoms, in addition to the fact that the patient may not remember that he had it in the first place. Brain damage from a silent stroke frequently lasts a lifetime.
By taking a medical image of the brain, it is possible to keep track of the brain damage brought on by a silent stroke. If the silent stroke occurs again, the patient might start to have trouble remembering things and thinking clearly. A silent stroke can pave the way for more severe and dangerous strokes in the future.
3. Stroke in the brainstem
This type of stroke arises as a result of a defect that may affect the brainstem area located at the root of the brain and which is responsible for exchanging information between the brain and the body. Numerous factors, such as bleeding or blood clots, may contribute to this defect.
Since the symptoms of this type may not initially include physical weakness, it may be challenging to keep an eye on them. A brain stem stroke can make it difficult for the patient to control both sides of his body. So that the only part that the patient can move in his body is the eyes only.