About this disease
What it concerns
A cerebral stroke occurs when the brain or parts of it are not sufficiently supplied with oxygen due to a circulatory disorder. Depending on the area of the brain affected, this can result in paralysis, speech disorders or other deficits. In extreme cases, these phenomena can lead to permanent impairment.
Types
In addition to the "real" stroke, there are various conditions that present a very similar picture but have completely different causes (epilepsy, severe infections, cerebral hemorrhage, poisoning, etc.). During the initial evaluation in the emergency department, it is particularly important to recognize such causes quickly or to exclude them.
Symptoms and consequences
A stroke can manifest itself in different ways. The most common is paralysis of one half of the body or individual limbs, and speech disorders such as slurred speech, or an inability to use correct verbal expression are also not uncommon. Sensory disturbances or other deficits may also occur. If the symptoms disappear again within a short period of time, it is called a stroke. Unfortunately, however, the symptoms of a cerebral stroke can also remain long-term and lead to permanent physical limitations.
How we can help you
Examination and diagnosis
A stroke is a real emergency, as rapid initiation of therapy is crucial for the prognosis. A new-onset stroke is immediately examined physically in the emergency ward and further clarified as quickly as possible with a computer tomography (CT) scan of the brain. The diagnosis can usually be made based on the patient's history and examination findings. The CT helps to rule out alternative causes and to initiate the appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Within the first few hours after the onset of symptoms, a stroke can be treated with a strong blood thinner (thrombolysis). This is administered intravenously. The less time that has elapsed since the onset of symptoms, the better the prognosis. In special situations, treatment with a vascular catheter (endovascular thrombolysis) is also indicated. This is usually carried out in the stroke center of a major hospital. After this acute phase, the aim is to find the causes of the stroke and, if possible, to treat them.