A stroke occurs when there is a blockage in the blood supply to the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds - Photo: T.D.
Stroke is a common cause of death and a leading cause of disability in adults worldwide. From urinary incontinence to cognitive impairment to depression, the effects can be long-lasting if not treated promptly.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when there is a blockage in the blood supply to the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds. This results in a part of the brain being deprived of the blood and oxygen it needs, causing brain cells to die.
From there, stroke symptoms appear in the body parts controlled by the damaged brain areas.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in developed countries, and the leading cause of disability in adults worldwide. People who have had a stroke are four times more likely to have another stroke.
Symptoms of stroke
● Difficulty speaking and understanding what others say.
● Numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, usually affecting only one side of the body.
● Vision problems in one or both eyes, sudden blurred vision, dark circles in one or both eyes, the patient may see double.
● Sudden, severe headache, possibly accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, and altered consciousness.
● Difficulty walking, the patient may stumble, lose balance or lose coordination.
People at risk of stroke
Lifestyle risk factors:
● Overweight or obese
● Sedentary
● Drinking a lot of alcohol, getting drunk often
● Drug use: cocaine, methamphetamine
Disease risk factors:
● High blood pressure
● Smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke
● Increased blood cholesterol
● Diabetes
● Obstructive sleep apnea
● Cardiovascular disease: heart failure, atrial fibrillation, congenital heart disease...
● Family history of stroke
● COVID-19 infection
Long-term complications of stroke
1. Seizures
Occurring in 5-9% of all stroke survivors, most seizures occur within the first year after stroke and are common in patients with hemorrhagic stroke or cortical stroke.
Patients requiring anticonvulsant therapy and prophylactic anticonvulsants should not be used in uncomplicated stroke patients or those without a history of seizures.
2. Urinary incontinence
After a stroke, patients often experience frequent urination, urgency, or incontinence due to neurogenic bladder. 25% of stroke patients have incontinence upon discharge, and 15% still have incontinence after one year.
Patient care and treatment should pay attention to limiting factors that aggravate this condition: urinary tract infections, medications (eg diuretics), constipation...
3. Cognitive impairment
Cerebrovascular disease is increasingly recognized as a common cause of cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly, with 10% of patients experiencing cognitive decline after their first stroke, and 30% after one year.
Risk factors: older age, history of stroke, lacunar infarction, diabetes, and left hemisphere stroke.
4. Musculoskeletal complications after stroke : Musculoskeletal problems are always related to the hemiplegic side.
Medical treatment and rehabilitation are key to minimizing complications, providing opportunities to improve the lives of stroke victims - Photo: T.D.
Spasticity and increased muscle tone: Spasticity is excessive, inappropriate, and involuntary muscle activity leading to muscle stiffness, loss of movement, and pain, commonly occurring in 60% of stroke patients. Over time, patients may develop fixed deformities and pressure ulcers.
Conservative treatment includes physical therapy exercises, splinting to properly position the limbs, combined with local and systemic drug treatment.
Hemiplegia (HSP) : Usually occurs 2 - 3 months after stroke, accounting for 9 - 40% of hemiplegia stroke cases.
HSP is divided into four types: arthralgia due to joint dislocation causing sharp pain with movement, myalgia due to overuse or spasticity, diffuse pain due to altered sensation after a stroke, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy involving the entire limb and shoulder.
HSP can be prevented with physical therapy exercises as early as possible to benefit the patient.
Wrist and hand flexion: The wrist and hand of a hemiplegic person are contracted in a flexed position. This condition hinders the rehabilitation of the hand and can cause pain and loss of aesthetics.
Regular range of motion exercises and a splint are key to managing this condition. The splint should maintain gentle tension on the flexor muscles, keep the wrist at a 20- to 30-degree angle of extension, and not increase spasticity.
5. Post-stroke depression
Very common and often overlooked, treatment has an impact on recovery and quality of life. 70% of patients have depressed mood after stroke, 25 - 30% of patients have symptoms of depression.
Patients need to be treated with specialized examination combined with post-stroke rehabilitation to help patients quickly integrate into life and improve their quality of life.
6. Changes in emotions and moods
Feelings of frustration, anger, apathy, and lack of motivation can be difficult to control.
Stroke is not just a passing "storm" but the beginning of a challenging journey for the patient. Early recognition of risk factors, combined with medical treatment and rehabilitation will be the key to minimizing complications, bringing opportunities to improve the lives of those who have faced this dangerous disease.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bac-si-canh-bao-bien-chung-lau-dai-cua-dot-quy-2025031415273946.htm
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