Stroke of the brain stem - signs, diagnosis, treatment

Brain stem stroke - symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Brain stem stroke is a sudden and unexpected disruption of the blood supply to the specified area of the brain. In almost all cases, it leads to the loss of function of delicate brain cells, in critical cases - to their irreversible death.

Classification, risk factors

Paying attention to the causes, the following types of brain strokes are distinguished:

Ischemic - a lack of blood supply, due to which blood does not flow to the brain tissues - as a result, the cells "starve" and die.
Hemorrhagic - damage to brain structures due to hemorrhage.

Hemorrhagic stroke, if statistics are to be believed, happens less often, but it is much more dangerous.

Ischemic stroke of the brain stem can be caused by the following factors:

Increased blood viscosity (with congenital pathologies of blood clotting, excessive use of certain medications).
Narrowing of blood vessels in people with hypertension.
Vascular narrowing in smokers with experience.
Cholesterol accumulation on the inner lining of blood vessels.
Clogging of blood vessels with blood clots, which are "born" in the cavities of the heart due to atrial fibrillation, and then "escape" through the bloodstream to the brain.

The development of a hemorrhagic stroke is expected due to the following reasons:

Sharp jumps in blood pressure.
Overdose of anticoagulant drugs.
Long-term chronic pathologies of cerebral vessels (arteritis, aneurysms).

If the changes in the cerebral vessels are not very pronounced, a microstroke develops, the rehabilitation and therapy of which give faster and more effective results.

Risk factors for disease occurrence

There are certain factors that increase the risk of brain stem stroke:

Male gender.
Age over 50 years old (applies equally to men and women).
Jumps in stock prices over many years.
Increase in body weight.
Diabetes of any type.
Cholesterol accumulation on the membrane that covers the cerebral vessels from the inside.
Smoking experience.
The presence of strokes in the family.

Detailed answers to questions about risk factors, manifestations of the disease, how hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke of the brain differ, treatment of these two types of pathology, etc., can be found on the pages of our website: Dobrobut.com.

Symptomatology of types of pathology

Symptoms of a stroke are varied. They depend largely on which part of the brain is affected.

The most frequent symptoms:

Disruption of movements of the trunk, arms, legs (from a decrease in strength to a complete cessation of movements).
Reduction of any sensitivity.
Distortion of speech - the patient's speech is slow and indecipherable.
Violation of statics - the patient is unable to stand independently.
Disruption of consciousness: constant drowsiness, "dullness", loss of consciousness.

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease

To confirm the diagnosis, a biochemical blood test, a general urinalysis, a coagulogram, an EKG, an ultrasound Doppler of the vessels of the neck and head, a CT scan are performed, and in the case of an unclear diagnosis, a lumbar puncture.

Treatment of a brain stroke should definitely be carried out in a hospital under the supervision of an experienced doctor. It is necessary to clearly understand that a stroke is a very complex pathology. Even with mild symptoms, treatment at home will not give results, moreover, the patient's condition may worsen, even to the point of death.

Treatment of ischemic brain stroke is not as complicated and unpredictable as hemorrhagic stroke.

In case of a stroke, the final result depends on the responsiveness of the medical staff. Monitor the most important functions of the patient's organs and systems. Conservative therapy is aimed at restoring normal blood flow to the "robbed" segment of the brain as soon as possible. For this purpose, first of all, drugs are used that reduce blood viscosity (anticoagulants are used) and drugs that can protect brain cells from destruction and accelerate cell recovery (for example, nootropics).

The consequences of a brain stroke depend on how quickly diagnostic and treatment measures were performed. In severe cases, a person who has suffered this disease remains bedridden, his life expectancy is shortened. In more favorable situations, it recovers step by step, but the consequences will remain in the form of changes in speech, sensitivity, and movements. There is no question of full-time employment, patients are forced to register for the disability group. But if you turn to a skilled specialist, firmly follow his daily instructions, then the chance of returning to a full-fledged life is very, very high.