CVA or STROKE Symptoms-Causes-Treatment
What are the treatments?
There are different medications that will treat a variety of the causes of stroke.
Physical Therapy can be used for improving strength and walking.
Occupational Therapy can be used for regaining dexterity of the arms and hands.
Speech Therapy can be used to relearn talking and swallowing.
Orthopedic bracing can be used to treat foot drop, knee weakness or instability and contractures or tightness of the feet and wrists.
- What is CVA or Stroke?
CVA (Cerebrovascular accident) or stroke is the sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of stroke depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases, a person may not even be aware that he or she has had a stroke.
Symptoms usually develop suddenly and without warning, or they may occur on and off for the first day or two. Symptoms are usually most severe when the stroke first happens, but they may slowly get worse.
A headache may occur, especially if the stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. The headache starts suddenly and may be severe, occurs when lying flat, wakes you up from sleep, gets worse when you change positions or when you bend, strain, or cough.
Other symptoms depend on the severity of the stroke and what part of the brain is affected.
Symptoms may include: - Muscle weakness in the face, arm, or leg (usually just one side)
- Numbness or tingling on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking
- Problems with eyesight, including decreased vision, double vision, or total loss of vision
- Sensation changes that affect touch and the ability to feel pain, pressure, different temperatures, or other stimuli
- Changes in hearing
- Change in alertness (including sleepiness, unconsciousness, and coma)
- Personality, mood, or emotional changes
- Confusion or loss of memory
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty writing or reading
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of balance
- Clumsiness
- Trouble walking
- Dizziness or abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo)
- Lack of control over the bladder or bowels
What are the treatments?
There are different medications that will treat a variety of the causes of stroke.
Physical Therapy can be used for improving strength and walking.
Occupational Therapy can be used for regaining dexterity of the arms and hands.
Speech Therapy can be used to relearn talking and swallowing.
Orthopedic bracing can be used to treat foot drop, knee weakness or instability and contractures or tightness of the feet and wrists.