Prevention, Quick Treatment Are Keys to Effective Stroke Treatment

Newswise — Each year more than 700,000 people suffer a stroke. Frequently referred to as "brain attack," stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the number one cause of disability, with more than three million people living with permanent physical and mental impairment from brain damage caused by stroke. Stroke prevention and diagnosis are topics of interest during the First Annual Neurosurgery Awareness Week from May 1 to May 6 during the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeon (AANS) in Orlando, Florida.

Educating the public and health care professionals about preventive therapies and the urgency of treatment is the key to reducing stroke's incidence and its disastrous outcomes. If stroke is treated in time, it is possible to lessen its devastating impact.

Stroke is a cerebrovascular problem that is generally characterized by an abrupt disruption in the blood flow in the brain. This disruption can occur in one of two ways—a clot can block a blood vessel, or a blood vessel can burst and bleed inside the skull. The interruption of blood flow prevents oxygen and vital nutrients from reaching the brain, prohibiting the brain cells from functioning properly. When the brain is deprived of essential nutrients, its cells cease functioning, and patients often begin to lose the ability to speak or move. Left untreated, stroke can be severely disabling or may even cause death.

"Every minute that passes reduces the chance for recovery," said Alex Valadka, MD, AANS Public Relations Committee Chair. "In most cases, neurosurgeons only have a few hours to reverse the effects of a stroke."

Stroke symptoms are often easy to dismiss, especially in the case of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). In a TIA, sudden stroke symptoms appear and then disappear within minutes, with no permanent neurologic damage. Symptoms may include visual disturbances, including loss of vision in one eye, blurry vision, or "graying" of light; weakness, numbness, or clumsiness in one arm or hand; language problems, including slurred speech or speaking gibberish; facial droop or weakness; and unusual dizziness or vertigo.

People often ignore a TIA because they think that the problem has gone away. This can be a fatal mistake because what is important is not that the symptoms went away, but that they happened at all. TIA's are associated with strokes. In fact, approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients who have TIAs will suffer a stroke within one year of the first attack.

In terms of prevention, the key is discovering, evaluating and treating stroke risk factors. The four most important risk factors for stroke are hypertension (high blood pressure), cigarette smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol levels. Carotid stenosis (narrowing of the wall of the carotid artery) is also a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. The carotid artery travels up the neck into the brain, providing a substantial portion of its blood supply. If this artery becomes blocked, a stroke occurs. All of these risk factors are easily identifiable and treatable through medication, diet, and exercise. Select patients may also benefit from surgical intervention. The more patients know about stroke and its related warning signs, the better their chances of avoiding a stroke in the first place.

Neurosurgeons have learned a great deal about stroke and have been able to translate that knowledge into a variety of therapies that can prevent, stop, and even reverse the damage of stroke. Today, stroke treatment involves fast-acting drugs, high-tech imaging, surgical intervention and, most importantly, a stopwatch, because some treatments are effective only if given within the first few hours of a stroke. There are a few key points to keep in mind regarding stroke. Stroke is a medical emergency, so be sure to call 911. A stroke robs the brain of its necessary blood flow, causing brain cells to stop functioning and die. The damage done by a stroke is progressive, and early treatment can affect a patient's eventual outcome.

For more information about stroke, visit the public Web site of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons at http://www.NeurosurgeryToday.org.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 6,500 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.