Acute ischemic stroke
Acute Ischemic Stroke
The Acute Ischemic Stroke (pronunciation: a-kyoot is-ke-mik strohk) is a medical condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is obstructed, typically by a blood clot. This lack of blood flow results in cell death and can lead to permanent neurological damage or death.
Etymology
The term "Acute Ischemic Stroke" is derived from the Greek words "akutos" (meaning sharp or sudden), "iskhaimos" (meaning to restrain blood), and the Old English "stryccan" (meaning to strike).
Related Terms
- Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood.
- Embolism: The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus, typically a blood clot or an air bubble.
- Infarction: Tissue death due to inadequate blood supply to the affected area.
- Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system.
- Cerebrovascular Accident: Another term for stroke, often used interchangeably with Acute Ischemic Stroke.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an Acute Ischemic Stroke may include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Treatment
Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke typically involves medications to prevent and dissolve clots, reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. In some cases, procedures may be required to remove or bypass blockages and reduce the risk of recurrent strokes.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for Acute Ischemic Stroke include controlling high blood pressure, quitting tobacco use, managing diabetes, and maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.