Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot, depriving brain cells of oxygen. Without treatment, brain cells quickly begin to die, which can lead to serious disability or death. Signs of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, vision changes, and severe headache. It is critical to seek emergency treatment immediately if someone is experiencing stroke symptoms, as clot-busting drugs must be given within three hours to minimize brain damage. The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot blocking a brain vessel.

1. What Is a Stroke?
Stroke is a medical emergency and a leading cause of
death in the U.S. It occurs when a blood vessel in the
brain bursts or, more commonly, when a blockage
develops. Without treatment, cells in the brain
quickly begin to die. The result can be serious
disability or death. If a loved one is having stroke
symptoms, seek emergency medical attention
without delay.

2. Stroke Symptoms
Signs of a stroke may include:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the body,
especially on one side.
Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes, or
difficulty swallowing.
Sudden, severe headache with unknown
cause.
Sudden problems with dizziness, walking,

3. Stroke: Time = Brain Damage
Every second counts when seeking treatment
for a stroke. When deprived of oxygen, brain
cells begin dying within minutes. There are
clot-busting drugs that can curb brain damage,
but they have to be used within three hours of
the initial stroke symptoms. Once brain tissue
has died, the body parts controlled by that
area won't work properly. This is why stroke is
a top cause of long-term disability.

4. .
Ischemic Stroke
The most common type of stroke is known as
an ischemic stroke. Nearly nine out of 10
strokes fall into this category. The culprit is a
blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel inside
the brain. The clot may develop on the spot or
travel through the blood from elsewhere in the
body.

5. Ischemic Stroke
The most common type of stroke is known as
an ischemic stroke. Nearly nine out of 10
strokes fall into this category. The culprit is a
blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel inside
the brain. The clot may develop on the spot or
travel through the blood from elsewhere in the
body.

6. Mini-Stroke' (TIA)
A transient ischemic attack, often called a
"mini-stroke," is more like a close call. Blood
flow is temporarily impaired to part of the
brain, causing symptoms similar to an actual
stroke. When the blood flows again, the
symptoms disappear. A TIA is a warning sign
that a stroke may happen soon. It's critical to
see your doctor if you think you've had a TIA.
There are therapies to reduce the risk of
stroke.

7. Mini-Stroke' (TIA)
A transient ischemic attack, often called a
"mini-stroke," is more like a close call. Blood
flow is temporarily impaired to part of the
brain, causing symptoms similar to an actual
stroke. When the blood flows again, the
symptoms disappear. A TIA is a warning sign
that a stroke may happen soon. It's critical to
see your doctor if you think you've had a TIA.
There are therapies to reduce the risk of
stroke.

8. Stroke: Emergency Treatment
For an ischemic stroke, emergency treatment
focuses on medicine to restore blood flow. A
clot-busting medication is highly effective at
dissolving clots and minimizing long-term
damage, but it must be given within three
hours of the onset of symptoms. Hemorrhagic
strokes are more difficult to manage.
Treatment usually involves attempting to
control high blood pressure, bleeding, and
brain swelling.

9. Stroke Prevention: Balloon and Stent
Doctors can also treat a clogged carotid artery
without major surgery in some cases. The
procedure, called angioplasty, involves
temporarily inserting a catheter into the artery
and inflating a tiny balloon to widen the area
that is narrowed by plaque. A metal tube,
called a stent, can be inserted and left in place
to keep the artery open.

10. Head Injuries and Your Brain
Your brain is well protected from most
damage. It sits inside a hard, bony skull. Layers
of membranes and fluid provide even more
padding. But even with all of this natural
protection, the brain can still get injured. And
damage to it can affect everything you do,
from thinking to moving. A traumatic brain
injury (TBI) is any blow to the head that's hard
enough to affect the brain's function

11. What is a Concussion?
A concussion is caused by a jolt that shakes
your brain back and forth inside your skull. Any
hard hit to the head or body -- whether it's
from a football tackle or a car accident -- can
lead to a concussion. Although a concussion is
considered a mild brain injury, it can leave
lasting damage if you don't rest long enough to
let your brain fully heal afterward.

12. What Happens During a Relapse?
When you experience a multiple sclerosis
relapse (also known as an exacerbation or
flare-up), it's because new damage in your
brain or spinal cord disrupts nerve signals.
That's why you might notice new symptoms or
the return of old symptoms. A true relapse
lasts more than 24 hours and happens at least
30 days after any previous relapses. Relapses
vary in length, severity, and symptoms. Over
time, your symptoms should improve. Many
people recover from their relapses without
treatment.

13. Weakness
Damage to the protective covering of nerve
fibers interrupts normal signals from your
brain to your body. When those signals are
disrupted, your body doesn't function like it
once did. Things you did easily before can
seem difficult -- like opening a jar or turning a
doorknob. Sudden or worsening weakness that
doesn't go away could mean you're having a
relapse.

14. If your vision is blurred or you're seeing
double, you could be starting to relapse. Some
people also lose their depth or color
perception as the optic nerve becomes
inflamed. Taking a hot shower or bath or
having a viral infection like the flu can
sometimes trigger vision problems, but these
are only temporary and should go away within
a day

15. Feeling lightheaded or unsteady on your feet
can be an unsettling experience, but it's a
common sign of MS relapses. The dizziness is
due to damage in the parts of your brain that
control your equilibrium. A motion sickness
drug can take away that 'room-is-spinning'
feeling in the short term, but if it lasts more
than a day you may need to be treated for an
exacerbation.

16. The skull is pretty tough. But if it's hit hard
enough, it can crack. That's called a skull
fracture. If the sharp edges of a fractured skull
bone press into the brain, they can damage
the delicate tissues and lead to bleeding in the
brain. One sign of a skull fracture is clear fluid
or blood draining from the nose or ears.

17. Your brain can bleed if it's injured and blood
vessels inside it are damaged. The trapped
blood can pool, forming a bump called a
hematoma. If the hematoma puts pressure on
the brain, it can squeeze or cut off blood flow
to the brain -- a medical emergency. Signs of a
hematoma include headaches, vomiting, and
trouble with balance.

18. An injury can also damage parts of your brain
that help you balance and walk. As a result,
you may feel dizzy -- like the room is spinning.
Parts of your brain that help you see clearly
and gauge depth may also be affected.
Physical therapy and other rehabilitation can
improve your balance and movement after a
head injury.