Stroke Information

Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to stroke information including topics such as stroke symptoms, stroke effects, and recurrent stroke. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.

Description of Articles in Stroke Information

A stroke is a sudden episode in which a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked or ruptures. This eMedTV article explains how a stroke may occur and provides an overview of strokes, including information about symptoms and treatment options.

Twenty-five percent of stroke survivors will have a recurrent stroke within five years. This portion of the eMedTV Web site discusses the risk of experiencing recurrent strokes, which usually decreases over time.

The most common stroke causes involve blood clots blocking the flow of blood to the brain. This eMedTV article describes possible causes of a stroke, which can include an embolism, thrombosis, an aneurysm, head trauma, and a brain tumor.

In the case of stroke, risk factors for the disease can include smoking and having high blood pressure. This eMedTV page discusses risk factors for stroke in detail, including having diabetes, being African American, and drinking to excess.

Stroke symptoms may include sudden confusion and numbness in the arms, legs, or face. This eMedTV resource identifies possible symptoms of a stroke and explains that they usually appear suddenly, often with multiple symptoms present at the same time.

Although they may cause similar symptoms, a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, and stroke are not the same. This eMedTV article explains that a stroke's symptoms last at least 24 hours, while symptoms of a TIA may last less than 30 minutes.

Doctors may use blood tests, CT scans, and MRIs in diagnosing stroke. This eMedTV segment covers the steps involved in making a stroke diagnosis, from the first questions asked at the hospital to tests to determine what caused the stroke.

Stroke tests may include certain blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, and Doppler ultrasounds. This eMedTV resource takes an in-depth look at tests for stroke, which may also include cerebral angiography, carotid arteriography, and an echocardiogram.

For people who have had a stroke, treatment may involve medications (such as clot-busting drugs) or surgery. This eMedTV article discusses treatment for strokes, which also usually involves stroke rehab and making lifestyle changes.

Stroke recovery often involves rehabilitation to relearn skills lost as a result of brain damage. This eMedTV article discusses steps involved in recovering from a stroke, which may include making lifestyle changes to help prevent future strokes.

Stroke rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged. This eMedTV article discusses rehabilitating from a stroke, including information about professionals involved in the rehab process.

Stroke effects may include paralysis and sensory problems (including pain). This eMedTV segment describes possible effects of a stroke, which can also include problems with thinking, attention, learning, judgment, language, and memory.

Stroke and depression are often linked. As explained on this eMedTV Web page, many people who have had a stroke experience depression. This article explains the benefits of diagnosing and treating depression experienced by stroke survivors.

Stroke prevention may involve quitting smoking, losing weight, and controlling blood pressure. This eMedTV resource describes strategies for preventing a stroke, which also may include blood-thinning medications and certain procedures.

One current aspect of stroke research involves a study of the causes of stroke at a cellular level. This eMedTV Web page offers a discussion of other research now under way to better understand, diagnose, and treat strokes.

Stroke statistics indicate that 40 percent of stroke survivors have impairments that require special care. This eMedTV Web page discusses other statistics concerning strokes, including those that help illustrate the economic impact of strokes.

Strokes in women account for about half of all strokes in the U.S. This portion of the eMedTV library discusses risk factors for strokes that are unique to women and explains how symptoms of a stroke in women may differ from those seen in men.

Strokes in children do occur; it's estimated that 3 out of every 100,000 children will have a stroke. This eMedTV resource describes symptoms of a stroke in children and discusses risk factors that may increase a child's chances of having a stroke.

As this eMedTV Web page explains, an ischemic stroke is a type of stroke in which oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood cannot reach the brain. This article discusses ischemic stroke, including its causes, its symptoms, its diagnosis, and its treatment.

Early warning signs of a stroke can include sudden confusion, dizziness, and numbness in the limbs or face. This eMedTV Web page discusses early warning signs of stroke, and explains what to do if you or someone else exhibits such signs.