Neurology, Neuro Surgery
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Diseases/Conditions
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About Stroke...
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In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death, after cardiovascular disease and cancer, disabling more adults than any other condition. Every year, about 700,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke and about 160,000 of them die as a result. |
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A stroke is a life-threatening event that occurs when part of the brain is not receiving enough oxygen. This may be caused by either a prolonged lack of oxygen-rich blood to the brain (cerebral ischemia) or bleeding into or around the brain (cerebral hemorrhage).
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or becomes blocked. Once a stroke occurs, part of the brain does not receive enough blood and the brain cells die due to the lack of blood. The damage caused by a stroke can result in permanent brain damage or even death. However, damaged brain cells do not die immediately. They can stay alive in a compromised state for several hours, therefore with timely treatment, these cells may be saved.
For many stroke victims, prompt treatment and follow-up care may protect these brain cells and help them lead healthier, more productive lives. To minimize the damage of a stroke, victims must seek treatment immediately. It is vital that treatment be administered within six (6) hours from the onset of a stroke. It is a challenge for medical personnel to treat the patient as quickly as possible to avoid permanent tissue damage or death, while racing against the clock to re-establish blood flow to the brain.
Immediate treatment after the onset of a stroke can result in little visible damage, but a stroke left untreated for too long can result in neurological and tissue damage (such as paralysis or permanent loss of speech) or death.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a regional stroke center that treats stroke patients from diagnosis to treatment, and follow-up care.
*See the Community Health Calendar
for upcoming events/lectures. |
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Brain Aneurysm... |
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Throughout the brain there are arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If an artery wall becomes weakened, an abnormal bulge can form. This weakness has often been likened to a bulge that forms on an inner tube. The bulge that forms is called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm.
Unfortunately, most brain aneurysms go undetected until they rupture and blood leaks into the space around the brain (called the subarachnoid space), which causes a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Depending on the location and severity of the bleeding, the results can range from a severe headache, to brain damage or even death. |
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Studies have shown that approximately 3% to 5% of the population of the United States has a brain aneurysm. The chance of a person suffering an aneurysm rupture is 12/100,000. This results in approximately 30,000 people a year.
The outcome of suffering a ruptured aneurysm is poor. Approximately half of the people who rupture an intracranial aneurysm will die within minutes. Of the 50% who survive, half will suffer a delayed death. Of the 25% who remain, their long term deficits range from very mild to severe.
 
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). . .
The term AVM is an acronym for Arteriovenous Malformation. An AVM is an abnormal, tangled web of blood vessels (arteries and veins) in the brain, brainstem or spinal cord. The difference between an artery and a vein is simple: arteries take blood away from the heart and veins take blood into the heart. Arteries have thick walls that allow blood to flow through at a high pressure. Veins have thin walls that allow blood to flow through at a much lower pressure.
When an AVM is present usually one or more of the tangled arteries is directly connected to one or more veins, which can cause many problems. The most serious problem when a high pressure artery is directly connected to a low pressure vein is that blood flows through the vein at a higher pressure than the vein can handle. Veins cannot handle high pressure blood flow for an extended period of time, the walls of a vein are too weak to support high pressure blood flow from the artery that is connected to it. This abnormal connection between an artery and a vein create an AVM, which can rupture and bleed into the brain.
It is estimated that 0.6% of people are born with an AVM located in their brain or spinal cord. Roughly 300,000 people in the U.S. have AVMs in the brain, brain stem or spinal cord. An AVM is a congenital problem, meaning patients that have an AVM are born with this problem. However, AVMs are not hereditary and cannot be passed onto the children of the patient.
- About 71% of AVMs become apparent in patients who are usually under 40 years old
- Roughly 24% of AVMs become apparent when they cause seizures
- 5% of AVMs can cause headaches
Disclaimer: The information provided on www.smh.com is intended for general knowledge only. Any information contained in this website will not substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult a healthcare provider immediately if you have questions or comments.
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