Education for the prevention of stroke is another aspect of the Stroke Support Association. We provide community education through health fairs and seminars in Long Beach and surrounding areas, and online 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 stroke 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 providing 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 stroke. 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.