| Education for the prevention of stroke
is another aspect of the Stroke Support Association. We provide
community education through Health Fairs and seminars and printed
educational materials about stroke and prevention. Brochures
listing symptoms and other important information are available
free of charge. A speakers bureau offers education about the
causes, effects, symptoms, prevention, resources and adjustment
to living with stroke. For more information about Stroke Support
Association’s Education program, please contact 562-537-0556 |
What are the types of stroke?
Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of
blood to the brain (called an ischemic
stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood
flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic
stroke). A TIA (transient
ischemic attack), or "mini stroke", is caused
by a temporary clot.
What are the effects of stroke?
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various
body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach
the region that controls a particular body function, that part
of the body won't work as it should. Learn
more
These links will take you to further information provided
by the American Stroke Association
What
risk factors for stoke can't be changed?
What
stroke risk factors can be changed, treated or controlled?
What
are other, less well-documented risk factors?
Stroke in Children
Finding the cause of a stroke is vital to provid¬ing the right
treatment and preventing more injury. Doctors can find a cause
in about two-thirds of the cases.
A common cause of ischemic strokes is that a blood clot forms in the heart
and travels to the brain. This can be caused by
congenital heart problems such as abnormal valves or infections.
In these cases children may need surgery or antibiotics.
Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that’s associated
with ischemic stroke. In sickle cell disease, the blood cell
can’t carry oxygen to the brain, and blood vessels leading
to the brain may have narrowed or closed. About 10 percent
of children with sickle cell disease suffer a stroke1. There
is a high risk of repeat strokes, but this can be reduced
by blood transfusion.
Finally, ischemic strokes can be caused by trauma that injures
large arteries and causes a loss of blood flow. For instance,
a large artery might be injured when a child has a neck injury.
Stroke is relatively rare in children and infants, but that
fact doesn’t matter when you hear that your baby has had a
stroke. Follow this link Stroke
in Infants to an article in the Stroke Connection Magazine which examines initial and ongoing therapy for infants who’ve
experienced stroke as well as emotional development. Read
the story of Oliver, who had his stroke when he was one day
old. |
