MEDICAL SURFARI: STROKE IS A BRAIN ATTACK

Stroke is a brain attack -- a medical emergency. It is a sudden loss of brain function that occurs when the vital blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted. Movement, vision, thinking and even consciousness may be impaired depending upon the affected part of the brain.

A blocked or ruptured brain artery causes nearly 550,000 strokes a year in the United States alone. About 150,000 of these people die and the others are often affected for the rest of their lives. Everyone has some stroke risk -- even you! You can reduce your stroke risk. Also, if you do have a stroke, brain damage may be minimized if you recognize the symptoms early and respond quickly. Learning how to change your risk factors for stroke and recognizing the warning signs can help to prevent a stroke.

Reduce your risk

Some stroke risk factors are beyond your control. Age, being male, being an African-American, having diabetes and having a family history of stroke are risk factors that are out of your control. However, others are not. Some medical conditions, if given the proper attention and treatment, can substantially reduce stroke risk.

TIA (transient ischemic attack) is a "mini-stroke." Although symptoms last relatively briefly, a TIA increases stroke risk 10 times. This can often be treated and full, irreversible stroke can be prevented with medication and/or surgery.

High blood pressure increase stroke risk four to six times. High cholesterol levels increase the risk of stroke. Diet, exercise, weight loss and/or medication can often control these problems.

Irregular heart best known as arterial fibrillation or "AF," may cause blood clots to form in the heart and be ejected into the blood vessels of the brain. This may block off blood flow to part of the brain and cause a stroke.

Carotid artery disease (partially or completely blocked arteries in your neck leading to the brain), increases your stroke risk three times.

Smoking increases stroke risk two times by injuring and promoting blood vessel disease.

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with and may cause a stroke.

Know the symptoms of stroke

About 85 percent of strokes occur at home so it is important for you to know the symptoms of stroke so you can respond quickly. Symptoms vary greatly, depending on the cause of the stroke, the part of the brain affected and the amount of damage.

The most common signs and symptoms are:

-- Weakness, numbness, or paralyzed face, arm, or leg -- especially on one side of the body

-- Sudden blurred, decreased or complete loss of vision

-- Loss of balance or coordination when combined with another symptom

-- Intense, sudden headache, often described as "the worst headache of my life.

Stroke -- 911!

In the past, the prevailing treatment for stroke was time -- wait and see if the effects of a stroke would eventually go away or at least improve. The emerging view is to treat stroke as a 'Brain Attack' -- a medical or surgical emergency.

Know the signs and symptoms, call 911 and get to a hospital quickly so measures may be taken to reduce or reverse the effects of a stroke. Treatment is always individualized for each patient.

World Wide Web Resources

National Stroke Association (NSA)

http://www.stroke.org

The NSA website represents an entirely voluntary organization. It is a good, quick source of information on stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research for stroke survivors and their families. This site provides public as well as professional education and it even gives you the opportunity to take a quiz on stroke to find out what you know. This one cuts to the chase -- just the facts, not fluff! Information ranges from statistics, symptoms and risk factors to regional resources and support groups.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

The NINDS website represents an agency of the federal government, the National Institute of Health and the U.S. Public Health Service. It is a leading supporter of biomedical research on disorders of the brain and nervous system and is a solidly good link to other related sites with stroke related information. It is well organized, fast and reliable.

Dr. Gibbs is a faculty member of the Brain Attack Coalition, one of the broadest collaborations among physicians concerned with preventing stroke and caring for stroke patients. You may e-mail your questions about stroke and stroke risk to him at www.sehosp.org/ or write to Dr. Gibbs in care of the Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital, 1701 Lacey St., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.