Causes of massive stroke
A stroke is a condition where the blood flow to an area of
brain is interrupted. The blockage could be because of a blood clot, ruptured
artery or a blood vessel. When the brain is deprived of the vital supply of
oxygen and glucose (via blood), the brain cells begin to die, subsequently
leading to brain damage. The effects of a massive stroke (also called brain
attacks and cerebro-vascular accidents) can be devastating and may result in
body paralysis, impairment of speech, memory loss, coma or even death. There
are two types of massive stroke- ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. While
the former occurs when a clot develops in an artery that supplies blood to the
brain, the latter is caused by bleeding inside the brain.
Causes of massive
stroke-
Blockage of an artery-
The most common cause of stroke is the blockage of a brain artery by a clot
(thrombosis). Generally, blood vessel inside the brain that has already
narrowed is most susceptible to getting blocked by a blood clot (thrombus or
embolus). The various factors that cause narrowing of the vessel include high
blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, smoking, increasing age and
diabetes.
Embolic stroke-
Embolic stroke is caused when either a clot or an atherosclerotic plaque (
deposits of calcium and cholesterol on the inside wall of artery) dislodges and
travels through the blood stream, to finally plug in a brain artery (such as
occurs in atrial fibrillation). Subsequently, the oxygen and blood flow is
hampered leading to embolic stroke.
Cerebral Hemmorhage-
Cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain tissue because of blood vessel
rupture) can result in a stroke due to the loss of oxygen and blood in brain.
Also, the condition further aggravates if the brain tissues get swollen
(cerebral edema). The cause of most cerebral hemorrhage is hypertension. This
is because of the fact that high blood pressure dangerously results in bursting
of the small arteries within the brain and therefore increases pressure on the
brain.
Subarachnoid Hemmorhage-
Brain is lined by a membrane known as the arachnoid
membrane. In this condition, blood from a blood vessel leackage gets
accumulated beneath this membrane. Aneurysm (abnormal blood-filled ballooning
of the walls of the artery) is the most common reason of subarachnoid
hemorrhage. Hypertension increases the chances of aneurysm attack. Serious
neurological consequences can occur if the subarachnoid hemorrhage is not
treated on time.
Vasculitis-
Vasculitis is the inflammation of the blood vessels. It is a rare cause of a
massive stroke.
Migraine headache-
Migraine or vascular headaches are another rare cause of massive stroke. The
mechanism includes narrowing of blood vessels of the brain resulting in
decreased blood and oxygen flow to the brain. This can lead to a situation
similar to a stroke with paralysis of one side of the body. The symptoms are
usually temporary.Genetic heredity-
Homocystinuria is a rare condition in which levels of homocystine in the body are increased. It is an example of genetic predisposition to stroke.
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