Types of cerebral strokes and how they differ

In this article, we consider the types of cerebral stroke and the consequences.

Stroke in medical practice is called a variety of conditions and mechanisms that lead to acute impairment of blood flow in the arterial and venous vessels of the brain. In a patient with such failures, focal neurological disorders are observed.

Types of cerebral strokes are classified depending on the localization, severity and prevalence of the process, and each of them is characterized by specific deviations in the functioning of the nervous system (vomiting, depression of consciousness, darkening in the eyes).

Varieties of Strokes

To assist the patient, it is necessary to accurately determine the type of stroke of the brain. In clinical practice, they are divided into two main types, which have a different origin and require the use of different treatment regimens:

1. Ischemic (cerebral infarction), which occurs due to the influence of factors that do not allow blood to freely pass through the vessels and supply brain cells with oxygen. Its development is possible after blockage, steady and sharp spasm and narrowing of the lumen and occurs in about 85% of cases.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke, which develops as a result of the exit of blood from a vessel, the wall of which ruptures (not due to trauma) and compresses the tissues, leading to their gradual death.

By the severity of manifestations and the type of course, strokes are classified into:

1. Initial degree (minor stroke). Symptoms in this case are manifested in the form of neurological disorders and are expressed moderately or slightly. She disappears in a few weeks. It is noted in 13% of patients with a proven diagnosis.
2. Light or medium degree. Signs of disturbance are affected by drugs. Symptoms of cerebral edema are absent.
3. Severe, which is noted by serious disorders of the functioning of the central nervous system. With such a deviation, the patient is most often unconscious and has extensive damage to all parts of the brain and edema. Types of ischemic stroke of the brain are most common.
   

If the violations last no more than a few hours, then the phenomenon is called a transient ischemic attack. This anomaly is considered a precursor to the possible development of more severe conditions. Its occurrence indicates the need for full-fledged therapy and prevention.

The difference between stroke and ischemic attack

A stroke differs from transient ischemia in that during it the symptoms last for a day, and sometimes even more, and the violation that has arisen often leads to death.

In children, a type of disturbance of blood circulation in the brain of an innate nature occurs. Children's neurologists consider this a certain type of stroke, calling it metabolic. The main cause of this pathology is some diseases that occur in violation of metabolic processes. In this case, the symptoms of the underlying disease come first.

So, let's take a closer look at the types of cerebral strokes.

Ischemic stroke

A similar pathology is most often observed in people in old age, especially in the presence of some chronic diseases associated with impaired vascular structure.

The risk group also includes people who have:

• diabetes;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• bad habits;
• myocardial infarction;
• metabolic disorders;
• coronary artery disease;
• rheumatism;
• hypertension
• atherosclerosis;
• heart disease;
• thrombophlebitis.

Violation of blood circulation with an ischemic type of stroke leads to a cessation of the flow of nutrients and oxygen to brain cells. As a result of this, irreversible changes begin to occur in the nerve tissue of the brain.

Types of ischemic stroke of the brain I know almost everything. But there are others. About it further.

Thrombotic stroke

Violation of blood flow through the vessels with this variant of the development of pathology occurs due to the development of certain atherosclerotic changes, which are characterized by the appearance of a plaque. In this case, a stroke develops in a few minutes or hours, and often appears at night.

The thrombotic type of this disease may be preceded by an acute attack of transient attack. The symptomatology of the pathology depends on the vastness of the affected areas, and the attack itself - on the caliber of the occluded vessel.

A condition is distinguished in which multiple thrombosis of the arteries of the brain is observed as a result of the appearance of disorders from the coagulant blood system. For such an anomaly, minimal neurological symptoms are characteristic in combination with multiple microcirculation disorders.

We continue to analyze the types of cerebral strokes and their differences.

Cardioembolic Stroke

The occurrence of cardioembolic ischemia occurs with occlusion of the lumen of the vessel by a thrombus, which can form elsewhere in the body, but with the flow of blood it enters the cerebral sections. Most often, its formation occurs in the cavity of the heart. The occurrence of a thrombus can be triggered by the presence of valvular defects, infectious endocarditis, the development of paroxysmal types of tachyarrhythmias.

A similar pathology develops abruptly and suddenly and is characterized by rapidly occurring neurological disorders during the patient's wakefulness. Lesions can be extensive or moderate.

Often, a brain stroke in the elderly happens. What kind is he?

Lacunar stroke

A similar disease manifests itself in the form of a malfunction of the small arteries with the formation of cavities (gaps) located in the subcortical part of the brain. As a rule, the focus is small and usually does not exceed 2 cm. The formation of a lacuna is accompanied by mild symptoms. The main reason for this condition is an increase in pressure in the vessels.

Among the main types of cerebral strokes, lacunar stroke is considered the most common and occurs in almost every fourth patient with a similar diagnosis.

The main danger of this pathology is the tendency to relapse. Re-development of circulatory disorders occurs in approximately 12% of cases of vascular accidents. This form of stroke is most often diagnosed in the elderly and in most cases provokes the onset of death.

What other types of brain strokes are there?

Hemodynamic stroke

This type of cerebral stroke in most cases occurs with loss of consciousness. The mechanism of the pathological process starts with a sharp decrease in pressure, which is often observed in people suffering from heart failure. At this point, the supply of food and oxygen to the brain suddenly stops.

Some clinicians speak of this form of pathology as a migraine stroke. It is accompanied, as a rule, by focal symptoms, which can disappear and reappear.

With a migraine stroke, there is a violation of blood circulation in a certain part of the brain, and the consequences can manifest themselves in the form of the formation of ischemic cysts at the lesion site, which are determined even during the period of complete well-being.

What kind of brain stroke do athletes have?

Hemorrhagic type of stroke

This type of stroke is much less common than ischemic, and people of a younger age - from 40 years old, suffer from it. The main reasons for the development of such a pathology are atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, as well as some diseases associated with a change in the structure of the vascular walls.

A high probability of developing this type of stroke is observed in people who abuse alcohol and drugs. Often diagnosed with a stroke when using high doses of anticoagulants.

This type of pathology is characterized by a sudden onset with the rapid development of serious disorders. It can cause stressful situations, a sharp increase in pressure. A brain lesion is accompanied by meningeal symptoms.

With a hemorrhagic form of stroke, in most cases coma occurs, and among patients with a similar diagnosis, the highest mortality rate is noted.

With localization of hemorrhages in the arachnoid, a fatal outcome occurs in 38% of cases even when qualified care is received, and patients who survived become disabled.

What types of cerebral strokes exist, we examined.

Clinical signs of all types of strokes

All the symptoms in this pathology are divided into three main groups. At the same time, they differ:

1. Meningeal symptoms, similar to those that develop with inflammation of the meninges. The patient cannot tilt his head due to the strong tension of the neck muscles. When lying down, the leg may not bend at the knee (Kernig symptom).
2. Cerebral symptoms, which include the occurrence of headache, vomiting and severe nausea, impaired consciousness (from light fogging to deep coma). 15% of patients have a seizure similar to an epileptic seizure.
3. Focal symptoms, manifested in the form of hyperkinesis and paresis of varying degrees. At the same time, speech is disturbed, temperature, pain and tactile sensitivity changes . Hallucinations, impaired coordination, amnesia may appear.

The difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic type

With an ischemic type of stroke, focal symptoms are in the first place. At the same time, symptoms of cerebral abnormalities are expressed insignificantly, and meningeal symptoms are almost always absent.

With the hemorrhagic type of hemorrhage, cerebral disturbances become more significant. Meningeal complex is observed, first of all, during subarachnoid hemorrhages.

Both types of stroke are accompanied by specific symptoms characteristic of each of them, by which a specialist can immediately determine what type of stroke occurs in a particular case.

How to prevent a brain stroke? To do this, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms in a timely manner.

The clinical picture with widespread brain damage

When the disorders affect a large part of the brain cells, a particularly severe degree of pathology develops. In a patient, regardless of the type of brain stroke, the following can be observed:

• paralysis;
• loss of consciousness;
• cramps
• hypertonicity of the muscles of the legs and arms;
• signs of cerebral edema;
• speech abnormalities;
• mental disorders, strangeness of behavior;
• trophic failures;
• impaired pupil accommodation;
• autonomic disorders;
• strabismus.

Cerebellar lesion

In cases where a local lesion of the cerebellum is observed , such a condition is considered no less dangerous than that which occurs with an extensive stroke. Pathological symptoms are similar in this case, however, there are some specific manifestations of this pathology:

• impaired gait and coordination;
• nausea;
• change in speech and swallowing;
• deterioration of health when moving the body;
• loss of sensation;
• sunken eyelids;
• loss of consciousness.

Brain damage

It is very difficult and, in most cases, fatal to this type of stroke, in which the stem part of the brain is affected. In this area of ​​the central nervous system there are special centers that are responsible for the most important functions, thanks to which the vital activity of the body is maintained. As a rule, with this kind of pathology, the following symptoms are noted:

• violation of swallowing, asphyxia;
• violation of speech functions;
• lack of the ability to move independently due to a strong violation of coordination of movements.

Not everyone knows what types of cerebral strokes are, and how they differ from each other.

Features of strokes in childhood

Currently, this pathology is increasingly observed in children. In this case, the following subspecies of a stroke are distinguished:

• fertile (during fetal life);
• perinatal (in newborns);
• in children from a year to 18 years.

Hemorrhage, which leads to cerebral ischemia, in 90% of cases ends in death. Children with rheumatism or congenital heart defects are highly likely to develop an ischemic type of stroke.

The ischemic type of stroke in childhood is very rare. The hemorrhagic form of this pathology is of paramount importance, the cause of which is the increased activity and mobility of the child against the background of insufficiently formed vascular walls.

The main signs of the development of this pathology in childhood are the same as in adults. Difficulty in diagnosis occurs in newborns, when some brain disorders appear against the background of immaturity of neurological reactions.

The consequences depend on the type of stroke of the brain.

The danger of strokes

The consequences of a stroke are very serious and they consist in the fact that after prolonged ischemia in the brain cells, irreversible disorders occur, which include cerebral edema, damage to the pulmonary artery, heart failure.

The consequences of a stroke of the left side of the brain (it depends on the type) can be different:

1. Impairment of motor activity due to paralysis.
2. The degree of sensitivity of the hands, feet, face decreases.
3. Cognitive abnormalities.
4. Disorientation in space.
5. Psychical deviations.
6. Difficulty in eating due to swallowing problems.
7. The appearance of epileptic seizures.
8. Decreased vision, the development of hearing loss, impaired speech functions.
9. Involuntary bowel movements, enuresis.

We examined the types of cerebral strokes, and how they differ.