It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the topic that illuminates the consequences of such a terrible ailment as an extensive stroke. The chances of surviving with such a diagnosis cannot be called high. But even if a fatal outcome can be avoided, such a brain lesion will definitely affect the life of the patient. Therefore, you should know what this pathology is and what its symptoms are.
What is meant by an extensive stroke
This problem can be defined as quite serious, since it affects the brain. This disease is common and begins to occur more often in middle-aged people, while earlier such diagnoses were mainly fixed among citizens who had long celebrated their fiftieth birthday.
It is worth noting that only with a doctor’s high qualifications and access to the necessary medications does it make sense to talk about the effective treatment of such a disease as an extensive brain stroke. The consequences of the disease are more than serious, and if you do not provide timely assistance, then a fatal outcome is possible . Therefore, do not hesitate in case of signs of hemorrhage in the brain.
Ischemic stroke
In fact, a similar diagnosis can have two main directions. We are talking about ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (the most serious degree of damage).
Initially, it is worth touching the mild form, which is a consequence of the narrowing of the vessels of the brain. During this process, brain cells die off due to a lack of oxygen, which must come with blood. Such a disease develops rapidly and has an extensive character (there is a lesion of the artery or a whole group of vessels).
In this case, the ischemic stroke itself can have several varieties:
- Lacunar. It leads to the formation of lacunae (cavities) in the brain.
- Micro-inclusive. In this case, there is a violation of the mechanism, which ensures optimal blood flow (hemostasis).
- Cardioembolic. The artery is blocked, but partially.
- Hemodynamic. A sudden jump in blood pressure can lead to this type of stroke. When blood pressure decreases significantly, vasoconstriction occurs, which, in turn, leads to a sharp outflow of blood.
- Stem. Such a diagnosis is used to determine damage to the brainstem. This is a very dangerous form of extensive stroke, since in this case there is a defeat of vital centers. Such a state in the vast majority of cases ends in instant death.
- Aterothrombotic. In this case, the cause of the blood supply disturbance is due to a blood clot that has come off the vessel wall, or due to atherosclerosis.
As you can see, an extensive cerebral stroke prognosis is far from reassuring, since the degree of damage is too high.
Hemorrhagic form
This type of stroke is characterized by such a dangerous feature as cerebral hemorrhage. There are two options for the development of events:
- Intracerebral stroke, which was caused by a sudden surge in pressure. It is diagnosed mainly in the elderly.
- Subarachnoid extensive cerebral stroke with hemorrhage. In this case, it is a rupture of an artery. Such an outcome is most often recorded in those who are overweight or who practice bad habits.
Causes
As mentioned above, the essence of an extensive stroke is that there is a blockage or rupture of a group of cerebral vessels or one large artery. It follows from this that any factors that have a negative effect on blood vessels and the state of blood flow in particular can be considered as causes of hemorrhage.
More specifically, it is worth paying attention to such a threat as an atherosclerotic plaque and those blood clots that can form on it. It is she who often provokes an extensive stroke of the brain. The causes of these plaques are a separate issue, but those who are loyal to being overweight often fall into the risk group.
Often a violation of blood supply in the brain can be a consequence of the development of other diseases in the body. Thus, people with the following diagnoses are at risk:
- hypertension, especially in advanced condition;
- heart pathology, since it creates conditions for emboli and blood clots (congenital and acquired defects, atrial fibrillation, heart valves that have been prosthetized);
- asymptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis of the carotid arteries;
- obesity as a result of an inactive lifestyle;
- diabetes mellitus (blood fluidity worsens, blood clots form);
- cerebral atherosclerosis and high blood cholesterol;
- a history of transient ischemic attack .
Symptomatology
In order to quickly respond to a stroke, you need to know its key symptoms. This will help to correctly determine the condition of the patient and immediately call an ambulance.
It is important to study the topic of symptoms before dealing with the consequences of an extensive stroke. The chances of survival in the case of a particular patient directly depend on whether medical care will be provided in a timely manner.
It is important to note the fact that there are concomitant signs that indicate the occurrence of an extensive stroke. They can occur before the hemorrhage occurs. Sometimes such symptoms make themselves felt a few weeks before the problem worsens. The following manifestations can be attributed to them:
- headache;
- dizziness;
- short-term memory loss;
- darkening in the eyes during sudden movements;
- temporary loss of orientation in space.
Such a problem as an extensive stroke of the brain, the symptoms may have a slightly different kind if significant volumes of the substance were affected. They look as follows:
- drowsiness;
- Strong headache;
- temperature rise;
- loss of consciousness (even a coma is possible);
- speech becomes incoherent;
- memory loss is observed;
- sweating;
- cramps;
- a feeling of dryness in the oral cavity;
- a feeling of intense heat suddenly arising;
- pain in the eye area;
- the patient ceases to understand what is happening to him and where he is, although he is still conscious (state of being stunned).
How to quickly recognize a stroke
In addition to the above symptoms, there are several ways that will help diagnose the condition of a person whose brain is affected due to rupture or clogging of blood vessels.
To do this, perform simple steps:
- Try to talk to the person. If there are failures in the speech and the patient cannot quickly answer simple questions, it is worth dialing the ambulance number.
- You need to ask for a smile if you suspect an extensive brain stroke. The consequences of hemorrhage or lack of oxygen can occur through violation of facial expressions - one of the corners of the mouth during an attempt to smile will fall down.
- Another method for quickly diagnosing a condition is to try to raise two hands up. If the blood supply to the head was disturbed, then there will be no synchronization of movements - one arm will be lower than the other.
In general, it is better to react radically once again than to allow an extensive stroke. The consequences (the photo above clearly shows the picture of the affected brain) may be too serious.
What can you expect after a stroke?
First of all, it is worth noting that a full recovery is unlikely to be possible with such a severe diagnosis. This is due to the fact that after such a stroke, a violation of various vital functions occurs. Considering topics such as extensive stroke, consequences, chances of survival and rehabilitation opportunities, you should pay attention to the following difficulties that are a consequence of brain damage:
- impaired speech. Those who have experienced such a difficult condition can find it extremely difficult to make even the simplest sentences.
- Amnesia. In this case, we are talking about the inability to remember various details associated with everyday life, moreover, the perception of information is much more complicated.
- Violation of concentration, motor skills and speech coordination.
- Paralysis of half of the face, limbs, and in some cases a complete loss of motor functions.
If timely qualified medical assistance is provided, then in about a third of cases, these consequences of an extensive stroke can be returned to the level where the patient will be able to fully live.
Coma as a result of a stroke
This is one of the most difficult outcomes that can occur with brain damage. Directly, coma itself occurs due to rupture of a large cerebral vessel, as well as after massive subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. In this condition, the patient loses consciousness and does not recover.
The longer the coma lasts and the stronger its development, the more massive the damage to neurons. In this case, an extensive cerebral stroke, the consequences after a coma can have very significant consequences, since extremely destructive irreversible changes occur in the brain during an unconscious state.
What happens during a coma
In this condition, the patient is not able to respond to various stimuli. At the same time, the patient's reflexes do not manifest themselves in any way: the pupils do not respond to light and are narrowed, while the pain also does not cause any reactions.
In some cases, arbitrary bowel movements and urination are possible. The only reflexes that persist during a coma are swallowing and breathing. If a coma was the result of a hemorrhagic stroke, then in most cases death occurs within 1-2 days due to cerebral edema.
In general, the degree of risk of death increases with the following factors:
- the process of dying off brain cells is fixed;
- the age of the patient exceeds the mark of 70 years;
- spasms of the limbs are fixed for more than 2-3 days;
- there is no reaction to circulation, pain reactions and sound;
- coma came already at the second stroke.
In order to make a more accurate prognosis, doctors usually use computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Blood tests can also significantly help in the diagnosis process.
Extensive cerebral stroke: treatment
The first thing that can be done in a hospital after the patient has been delivered is to lower blood pressure, connect the patient to an artificial respiration apparatus and increase the degree of blood flow. Moreover, it is important that such assistance is provided in the first three hours after a stroke has occurred.
In order for the recovery process to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to place the patient in a rehabilitation center. The recovery course itself can last from one month to two years. These are the consequences of an extensive brain stroke. Reviews of many relatives of patients affected by this ailment confirm the fact that it is worth tuning in for a long period of rehabilitation and patient care. The only way to achieve his return to a normal lifestyle.
Emergency measures
Emergency treatment can be aimed at correcting heart rhythm and breathing, neutralizing cerebral edema, normalizing blood pressure, stopping seizures, overcoming disorders of homeostasis, fever, vomiting, and other symptoms that are pathological in nature. Moreover, the recovery process itself must be differentiated.
If you have to deal with ischemic stroke, thrombolytic therapy is often carried out, and blood thinners are also used. In some cases, if it is not possible to stop active bleeding in the brain, a neurosurgical operation is performed.
Rehabilitation is possible at home, but at the same time, all actions should be coordinated with the doctor. As for the procedures that must be performed during this period, here is a list of them:
- reflexology;
- magnetotherapy;
- electrical stimulation;
- massage.
Prevention
It is important not to forget about actions that have a preventive effect, since repeated brain damage may no longer leave a chance for recovery. In order to prevent such a development of events, you need to follow proven principles:
- constant exercise;
- the minimum number of stressful situations;
- a complete rejection of bad habits;
- regular use of drugs against high blood pressure prescribed by the doctor;
- the correct diet without harmful fatty foods;
- control of excess weight.
Conclusion
As you can see, in the presence of such a problem as an extensive stroke, the consequences, chances of survival and forecasts in general cannot be unambiguous. A lot depends on how quickly qualified medical care will be provided, as well as on many other factors (state of health as such, age, etc.).