Cerebrovascular diseases are among the most common causes of death and disability in the world and include strokes, cerebral hemorrhage, and vessel occlusions. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and early treatment options of cerebrovascular diseases can save lives and improve quality of life.
What are cerebrovascular diseases?
Stroke is a group of diseases that affect the blood vessels in the brain, leading to a disruption in blood flow to the brain tissue, which can cause temporary or permanent damage to brain function, and even death in severe cases.
Strokes fall under the classification of cerebrovascular diseases, where they are mainly divided into:
- Hemorrhagic strokes: Caused by the rupture of a vessel in the brain, leading to bleeding in and around the brain tissue.
- Ischemic strokes: Accounting for about 80% of strokes, ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot or fatty deposits blocking one of the arteries feeding the brain.
Both types of strokes are considered an emergency situation that requires immediate medical intervention, as they can be fatal and are among the most critical forms of cerebrovascular diseases.
What are the causes of cerebrovascular diseases?
They can be caused by one or more causes, the most important of which are:
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis
- Blood clotting disorders
- Heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation
- Genetic and lifestyle factors
The most common types of cerebrovascular diseases
They have many types, but the most important and well-known among people are:
- Ischemic stroke
- Hemorrhagic stroke
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Aneurysm
What are the symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases?
The symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases appear quickly and suddenly, as the patient feels sudden weakness in the limbs with difficulty speaking and understanding speech, in addition to loss of balance or dizziness, and the patient’s vision is blurred, and he develops a sudden severe headache, and these symptoms indicate an attack of cerebrovascular diseases, and the patient must be transferred to the hospital immediately.
Treatment options for cerebrovascular diseases
Cerebrovascular disease treatment methods and conditions vary, as the type of treatment depends on the severity and seriousness of the disease. In addition, some diseases may tolerate a short delay in treatment, while others require emergency and immediate intervention.
Emergency Stroke Treatment
In cases of acute strokes, such as ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, clot-dissolving drugs (TPA) or cerebral catheterization are used to remove clots, and in hemorrhagic cases, an attempt is made to control and stop the bleeding.
Drug therapy after injury
It aims to prevent the recurrence of the disease, improve blood circulation, and protect the brain from further damage, and uses anticoagulants (such as aspirin and warfarin), as well as cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-lowering medications.
Surgery in advanced cases
There are some cerebrovascular diseases that require surgical intervention exclusively, such as arterial stenosis in the carotid artery or aneurysms, where the aneurysm is surgically repaired and the arteries are repositioned.
Post-treatment: Rehabilitation and follow-up
After the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, the rehabilitation and follow-up phase begins to help the patient regain as much of the lost functions as possible, prevent complications or recurrence of these seizures, and rehabilitation begins with physical and occupational therapy, which includes programs that improve the patient’s muscle strength and help him regain walking, prevent muscle cramps and spasms, and train the patient to perform his daily tasks such as eating, dressing and bathing. In some cases, the patient may lose the ability to speak, so the patient is helped to regain the ability to speak and understand speech, in addition to treating swallowing difficulties to prevent choking.
The patient should see a neurologist regularly to assess recovery and adjust medications, monitor blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels regularly, and perform imaging tests from time to time to prevent future seizures.
Preventing cerebrovascular diseases
After the commitment to see a doctor on a regular basis, it is important to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, which not only prevents cerebrovascular diseases but also improves blood circulation and keeps the body healthy against various diseases.
Healthy lifestyle
It is by following a daily or almost daily exercise program, in addition to committing to eating healthy food, and trying to quit smoking, because smoking may be one of the main causes of cerebrovascular diseases in some cases.
Controlling chronic diseases
Blood sugar levels must be controlled because high blood sugar predisposes to these diseases. Blood pressure must be treated, as it is a risk factor, and blood fats must be monitored, since their accumulation may block the vessels, leading to a form of stroke.
Cerebrovascular diseases are a serious medical condition, but early treatment can be life-changing. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and seeing a doctor immediately at the onset of any symptoms, you can minimize your risk of cerebrovascular diseases and improve the chances of a full recovery.
Sources:
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2023). Cerebrovascular disease.
- American Stroke Association. (2022). Hemorrhagic stroke (bleeds).
