Stroke (apoplexy), brain stem infarction
We have nerves. And high competence in the treatment of neurological emergencies.
In a stroke, in medicine also called Apoplex or Insult, areas of the brain are no longer supplied with sufficient blood. A stroke is a medical emergency. In Germany, stroke, also known as cerebral infarction, is one of the leading causes of death in addition to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Quick help can save lives and ensure as little long-term damage as possible.
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Quick help in specialized stroke unit
In more than 85 percent of all cases, an acute circulatory disorder of the brain caused by a vascular occlusion is the cause of a stroke. To re-oxygenate the brain, it is important to open the clogged vessel as quickly as possible. Otherwise, cell death affects ever larger areas of the brain, sometimes with dramatic consequences. Less often, hemorrhages in the brain are the cause of a stroke.
A brain stem infarction is a stroke that has particularly serious consequences. This is because in the brain stem important functions such as swallowing, breathing or even the state of consciousness are controlled.
A severe brain stem infarction is therefore a life-threatening event for patients.
Patients who are treated promptly in what is known as a stroke unit, a special department for the primary care of stroke patients, have a good chance, that doctors can restore oxygenation in the brain before brain cells die off. This prevents negative consequences and impairments of the people affected.
Which people are at risk?
Risk factors include
- high blood pressure
- overweight
- Dyslipidemia
- Narrowing of the carotid arteries
- atrial fibrillation
- lack of exercise
- diabetes
- Smoke
Lifestyle and nutrition play a major role in prevention. Of course, risk factors include age and, to a lesser extent, heredity.
Stroke Risk Test – after 13 questions you know more!
What is your risk of stroke? With the help of our rapid test, you can make an initial assessment of whether you have an increased risk of stroke.
Which warning signs indicate a stroke?
The symptoms of a stroke occur suddenly and are usually easily recognizable. These include, for example, unilateral paralysis or sensibility, as well as speech, balance and consciousness disorders as well as visual disturbances or double vision.
Stroke Patients may also be unconscious or have a severe headache. Causes of stroke include cerebral hemorrhage and brain thrombosis, where a blood clot closes a blood vessel in the brain.
Even mild symptoms such as a drooping corner of the mouth or a disturbed facial expressions can be signs of a stroke. Concerned, relatives, friends or colleagues should the Take warning signs seriously and act immediately.
Even if symptoms improve quickly, there is no all-clear. Rather, the cause should be clarified quickly.
Stroke warning sign: the FAST test
To quickly recognize the symptoms of a stroke is vital. With the FAST test you can check a stroke suspicion in a short time.
- Face (face): drooping corners of the mouth. Smile not possible anymore.
- Arms (arms): Both arms can not be lifted anymore. An arm sinks or turns.
- Speech (speech): sentences can no longer be spoken or voice sounds washed out.
- Time (time): Immediately dial 112
Warning sign for severe form brain stem infarction
The brainstem is supplied with blood by the two vertebral arteries. These unite to Arteria Basilaris. If one of the two vertebral arteries closes, usually as a result of atherosclerosis, one speaks in medicine of Wallenberg syndrome. The extended spinal cord is then no longer supplied with blood. Symptoms are:
- disturbed movements
- Problems with swallowing and speaking
- dizziness
- nausea
- Vomit
- Hanging eyelid
If the arteria basilaris closes, it is also called a basilaristhrombosis. Locked-in syndrome can occur in this most severe form of brain stem infarction. Patients are completely motionless and can only move their eyes at will.
The TIA – a first warning shot
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA for short, is a short circulatory disorder in the brain with transient effects such as paralysis and speech disorders. Even if the symptoms disappear again after a short time, they should be clarified in any case, because the TIA is the warning shot for a stroke, so a permanent circulatory disorder in the brain with the result of an infarct.
“Every fifth to tenth patient with a TIA will have a stroke within three months.”
Assessment of TIA risk in specialized clinics
Whether it is a true TIA, show certain neurological symptoms such as speech disorder and paralysis, especially when risk factors such as increased blood pressure, a age over 60 years or diabetes mellitus come.
The specialists in our stroke centers are investigating the cause of the circulatory disorder. With the help of a computerized tomogram, they can tell if it is a brain hemorrhage that should not be given aspirin. Narrowing of the carotid arteries makes a special ultrasound technique, Doppler sonography, visible. Cardiac arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, recognizes the ECG.
Atrial fibrillation and a narrowing of the carotid artery (carotid stenosis) mean a particularly high risk of stroke.
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