Articles on Stroke

Articles on Stroke

A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, which can lead to the inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, the inability to understand or formulate speech or not being able to see one side of the visual field.  Symptoms typically start suddenly, and depend on the area of the brain affected. The larger the area of brain affected, the more functions that are likely to be lost.

Strokes can be classified into two major categories — ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemia is the interruption of the blood supply, while hemorrhage is the rupture of a blood vessel or an abnormal vascular structure. The majority of strokes are ischemic

03/16/2010 - Articles

Antidepressants help stroke survivors

Antidepressants act on the brain and a new study suggests they help not just with depression, but also after a stroke. While clot-busting drugs can help people survive a stroke, the problem is how to help them regain their cognitive and physical function after the damage that the stroke has done to the brain. Researchers from the University of Iowa now report on a promising new study, involving the antidepressant drug escitalopram. This is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) a widely used class of antidepressants which increases levels of serotonin in the brain. The study involved 129 stroke survivors. Within three months of the stroke, patients received either 5 to 10 mg of escitalopram or placebo a day, or they took part in a problem-solving therapy which had been developed for patients with depression. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/23/2009 - Articles

Keeping Your Mouth Healthy May Help Prevent Stroke

Think the way you care for your teeth and gums affects only your mouth? Think again. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/23/2009 - Articles

Tooth Brushing, Flossing, AND a Mouthwash Can Help Prevent Stroke

A study has shown that adding the right mouthrinse to your regular toothbrush- and flossing-routine can lower your risk of having a stroke. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/23/2009 - Articles

Neurological abnormalities may precede stroke

Subtle neurological abnormalities may be important indicators of serious health issues. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/23/2009 - Articles

How To Spot Caregiver Burnout

The risk of burnout by family caregivers is well known, and it's important to be able to recognize the signs, so that timely help can be given. Here is a list. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/22/2009 - Articles

Diabetes, high blood pressure and mild mental decline

Aggressive treatment to control high blood pressure and diabetes before age 60 can significantly reduce the risk of a decline in mental ability associated with these disorders, according to the results of a recently published large-scale study. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/22/2009 - Articles

A High Level of Triglycerides? (Part I)

Among your blood test readings you have no doubt also seen an item called "triglycerides", and especially if they have been marked as elevated, you will have asked yourself what these substances actually are, what their role in your body is, but, most of all, what excess triglycerides may mean for your health. Read more

5
Your rating: None Average: 5 (1 vote)
12/22/2009 - Articles

Treating Your Raised Cholesterol Level

Many people think they have their cholesterol levels 'under control'. Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/22/2009 - Articles

A 'silent' cause of depression in the elderly

Depression is not uncommon in older persons, and it usually responds to appropriate medical treatment. Not all cases of depression, however, are purely 'psychiatric' in origin . Read more

0
Your rating: None
12/22/2009 - Articles

Secondhand Smoke is Also Lethal

Passive smoking - secondhand smoke - is associated with an increased death rate, and probably with an increased rate of heart attack, as shown by two recent studies. Read more

0
Your rating: None