Cerebrovascular Diseases (Stroke, Paralysis)

It is a common name given to diseases related to the vessels feeding the brain. These diseases can be seen as;

• Cerebral hemorrhage
• Cerebrovascular occlusion
• Cerebrovascular inflammation
• Congenital brain arteriovenous malformation

It is the most common and life-threatening neurological disorder type.

Cerebral Hemorrhage

It is a condition seen after ruptures, caused by various reasons, in the vessels feeding the brain or spinal cord. The cause may vary depending on the age of the patient and the location of the bleeding. Bleeding; can occur in different parts of the brain. Apart from bleeding due to trauma, it can also occur due to high blood pressure and bubbles in the brain.

It can be treated with medication and rest or, if necessary, surgical intervention, considering the location of the bleeding, its size, whether there is edema around it, the age of the patient, other existing diseases, and general condition.

Occlusive Cerebrovascular Disease 

Cerebral vessels can become blocked due to arteriosclerosis, vascular inflammation, or blood clots (embolism) breaking off from different places. It gives different symptoms depending on the clogged vessel and the function of the brain region fed by that vessel.

It is one of the first reasons that come to the mind in the sudden loss of brain, cerebellum, or spinal cord function. If the part of the brain, which commands areas such as the face, arm, or leg is affected during vascular occlusion, patients apply with a disability called “paralysis”. Sometimes, symptoms such as speech disorder, loss of balance, or epileptic seizures may accompany concurrently or alone depending on the affected area of the brain. In all these cases, it is necessary to transport the patient to the emergency room as soon as possible. In eligible patients, clot-dissolving therapy is life-saving and has almost a complete corrective effect on the patient’s paralysis. Ideally, to benefit from this treatment, the patient should be transported to the emergency room within 3 hours.

Vasculitis (Cerebrovascular Inflammation)

Non-microbial inflammations (vasculitis) in the arterial wall, which take part in the cerebral circulation, give symptoms by disrupting or preventing the cerebral circulation. These patients may have all kinds of neurological complaints. The most common complaints are headache and dysfunction of the affected brain region (such as visual impairment, speech disorder, loss of strength, loss of sensation). These conditions are rare but can be life-threatening if undiagnosed.

Arteriovenous Malformation (Tangled Blood Vessels in the Brain)

It is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. They can be explained as abnormal developments in one or more types of vessels during brain development. They can be diagnosed since they give symptoms sometimes as bleeding, sometimes as epileptic seizures, and sometimes as headaches. Depending on the location, type, and risk of the tangle, they can be treated with interventional radiology methods or surgery. In some types, it may be sufficient to follow up without any intervention.

Is it Possible to protect yourself from a stroke?

• Do not smoke.
• If you have a blood pressure problem, keep it under control.
• If you have diabetes, a thorough sugar control is vital.
• If your cholesterol is high, it should be reduced to normal values.
• The nutrients recommended for your heart health are also important for your brain health.
• If you have a weight problem, lose weight.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water.
• If heart attack, stroke or leg vascular occlusion is common in your family, have regular health checks.
• Symptoms such as short-term loss of strength in a part of your body, numbness, slurred speech, epileptic seizures may be a sign of a temporary stroke. Consult a neurologist immediately.
• If you have had a heart attack or have a cardiovascular disease, have your carotid arteries checked for arteriosclerosis with an easily applied and harmless method called Doppler USG.
• If you have had a temporary stroke, do not neglect your regular neurological check-ups, you can be protected from a major stroke.
• If you have had a permanent stroke and your forgetfulness is increasing, consult your doctor for a post-stroke memory loss disease called “vascular dementia”.