PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF STROKE
Can Strokes Be Prevented? The main factors responsible for strokes include high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. We do not know how to prevent atherosclerosis, although some evidence suggests that changes in the diet, with a decrease in the amount of animal fat, may play a role as does smoking cessation. However, no one can say that if you stop eating animal fats altogether or stop smoking you will not suffer from strokes. This may be partially true for younger people, but it has not yet been proven.
The reduction of high blood pressure, however, has definitely been shown to reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Anticoagulants have been found to lessen the likelihood of strokes in certain people. Unfortunately, some of these medications may have serious side effects and are used only in certain situations. If you have shown evidence of a transient stroke, your physician may use anticoagulants to try to prevent another stroke. Anticoagulation therapy must be carefully supervised to avoid the risks of bleeding.
Recent evidence indicates that medications such as aspirin and other drugs that affect platelets can decrease the stickiness of the blood and prevent strokes in certain individuals. Some physicians therefore prescribe small doses of aspirin, dipyridamole, and sulfinpyrazone for potential stroke victims. Aspirin appears to be the most effective of these agents. It will take more time and research before it is known for certain whether these platelet-inhibiting drugs are effective. Their risk, however, is less than with anticoagulants.
Under certain circumstances surgery may prevent a stroke. If you have a partial blockage of one of the main arteries going to the brain, this can sometimes be corrected. This treatment is very controversial. An angiogram of these blood vessels is necessary in order to make the diagnosis.
How Are Strokes Treated? If part of the brain is permanently damaged by a stroke, that part will no longer function. However, the rest of the brain continues to operate. At the time of a stroke, one may be at risk of developing pneumonia, so hospitalization is usually required. If the stroke is mild, this may not be necessary. A stroke victim is sometimes placed in a special neurological Intensive Care Unit to prevent complications.
The rest of the treatment is directed to prevent further brain damage and to teach the remaining healthy brain some of the tasks that were previously done by the damaged part. Therefore, although no treatment can reverse the damage, a great deal can often be done to improve the outcome.
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