Stroke is a condition in which the brain can't get enough blood flow. This happens because one or more blood vessels leading to the brain are blocked or have burst.

There are two main causes of stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blocked artery in the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by leaking or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. Some people may have only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA doesn't cause lasting symptoms.  

Symptoms

• Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying - A person having a stroke may be confused, slur words or may not be able to understand speech.
• Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg - This often affects just one side of the body. The person can try to raise both arms over the head. If one arm begins to fall, it may be a sign of a stroke. Also, one side of the mouth may droop when trying to smile.
• Problems seeing in one or both eyes - The person may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes. Or the person may see double.
• Headache -A sudden, severe headache may be a symptom of a stroke. Vomiting, dizziness and a change in consciousness may occur with the headache.
• Trouble walking - Someone having a stroke may stumble or lose balance or coordination.

Ischemic stroke

This is the most common type of stroke. It happens when the brain's blood vessels become narrowed or blocked. This causes reduced blood flow, known as ischemia. Blocked or narrowed blood vessels can be caused by fatty deposits that build up in blood vessels. Or they can be caused by blood clots or other debris that travel through the bloodstream, most often from the heart. An ischemic stroke occurs when fatty deposits, blood clots or other debris become lodged in the blood vessels in the brain. 

Hemorrhagic stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Bleeding inside the brain, known as a brain hemorrhage, can result from many conditions that affect the blood vessels. Factors related to hemorrhagic stroke include:

• High blood pressure that's not under control.
• Overtreatment with blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants.
• Bulges at weak spots in the blood vessel walls, known as aneurysms.
• Head trauma, such as from a car accident.
• Protein deposits in blood vessel walls that lead to weakness in the vessel wall. This is known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
• Ischemic stroke that leads to a brain hemorrhage.

A less common cause of bleeding in the brain is the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). An AVM is an irregular tangle of thin-walled blood vessels.

Transient ischemic attack

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. But a TIA doesn't cause permanent damage. A TIA is caused by a temporary decrease in blood supply to part of the brain. The decrease may last as little as five minutes. A transient ischemic attack is sometimes known as a ministroke.

A TIA occurs when a blood clot or fatty deposit reduces or blocks blood flow to part of the nervous system.

Seek emergency care even if you think you've had a TIA. It's not possible to tell if you're having a stroke or TIA based only on the symptoms. If you've had a TIA, it means you may have a partially blocked or narrowed artery leading to the brain. Having a TIA increases your risk of having a stroke later.

Nerve Health with Stem Cells

Stem cell therapy not only demonstrates safety for stroke patients, as validated by numerous peer-reviewed studies, but also holds immense potential for neurological rehabilitation. 

Neurological disorders encompass a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Prior to the advent of stem cell therapy, these diseases progressed uncontrollably, with symptomatic treatments relying on an array of drugs. Regrettably, the damage sustained by neurons remained irreparable.

Thankfully, stem cells have unveiled extraordinary healing capabilities within the body. Research now illuminates their capacity to mend damaged neurons, mitigate inflammation that triggers symptoms, and even facilitate the regeneration of new nerve cells. Stem cell therapy offers a glimmer of hope where none existed before.