Brain attack is commonly known as a stroke which results because of poor blood flow to the brain. A stroke results in many types of disabilities like impaired vision usually on one side of the body, mobility impairments, and speech & understanding disorders. Brain attacks can occur when the blood flow to the brain suddenly cuts off resulting in damage or death of brain cells. When so happens the area of the body controlled by that particular region of the brain loses it ability. The loss of body functions depends upon the amount of damage caused to the brain cells. A stroke of lesser intensity may cause only small damages such as temporary weakness in the arms or legs. Higher intensity stoke may also lead a person to be paralyzed on one side of their body or to lose their ability to speak. Most of the patients who suffer from a stroke have to live with some or the other kind of disability.
Types of Strokes
Strokes can be classified into two major types:
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: These strokes result from leakage in blood vessels. It is the most severe and the rarest of all kinds of strokes and results mostly in death.
- Ischemic Stroke: This type of stroke results from blockage of a blood vessel forming a clot in the brain.
Signs and Symptoms of Strokes
The symptoms vary by the amount of brain cell damage and region of damage as mentioned earlier. It is seen in most patients that the damage occurs to one part of the body. The symptoms vary from patient to patient. They may include:
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Vision loss or changes
- Confusion
- Changes in the level of consciousness
- Speech impairment
- Trouble comprehending speech
- Vertigo
- Balance problems
While the blood flow to the brain suddenly stops the person may have nausea, headache and vomiting due to bleeding inside the brain.
Aids for Stroke Patients
Stroke can cause several problems in the physical functioning of the body, which in turn causes problems executing daily living activities. We have a wide range of daily living aids to cope with stroke, as well as a wide range of products to manage pain and discomfort.
- Daily Living Aids – Stroke can impair a person’s ability to execute daily chores such as eating, drinking, dressing, using the bathroom, etc. Daily living aids such as bathroom safety aids, dining and drinking aids, dressing aids, household aids, kitchen aids, personal care aids, reading and writing aids, reachers and reaching aids, etc.
- Mobility Aids – Mobility aids can help a stroke patient move around indoors and outdoors with complete independence. Since stroke is known to cause mobility impairments, using mobility aids such as canes, crutches, scooters, wheelchairs, standers, rollators, or walkers, becomes an important part of one’s life.
- Pain Relief – Pain and discomfort can be an irritable symptom that can show up at any moment during the treatment or rehabilitation of stroke. A wide range of pain relief therapies such as hot and cold therapy, massage therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, pain relief ointments, etc. can not only relieve pain & inflammation but also improve blood circulation and enhance muscle health.
Where to Buy Aids for Stroke Patients Online?
At HPFY we provide you a wide range of stroke accessories to manage stroke symptoms at best prices and attractive discounts.
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
A Stroke, also called cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a sudden interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain causing it to stop functioning and thereby damaging brain cells.
Types of Strokes are Ischaemic stroke, Embolic stroke and Haemorrhagic stroke.
Ischaemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, that occurs mostly in elderly people. It occurs when a clot blocks an artery in the brain. The clot usually forms in a small blood vessel inside the brain and has narrowed through high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking.
Embolic strokes occur when a clot of blood or piece of plaque (cholesterol or calcium deposits) on an artery wall breaks loose and travels to the brain. When so happens, the flow of blood to the brain is blocked and tissue is damaged or dies.
Haemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery inside the brain ruptures and leaks blood into the brain causing cerebral haemorrhage. This break of the artery means that certain parts of the brain are deprived of blood and a stroke occurs. Blood irritates the surrounding brain tissue, causing swelling and pressure, which may cause further damage and loss of function. There are two types of heamorrhagic strokes - Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is when blood leaks into the surface of the brain and Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is when there is bleeding into the brain tissue itself.
Common reasons of stroke include family history, heart disease, heart rhythm disorders e.g. atrial fibrillation, smoking, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, use of oral contraceptives, excessive alcohol intake or being overweight.
Symptoms of a stroke include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness in face, arms or legs usually on one side of the body
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Difficulty speaking or understanding what people are saying
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty controlling movements
A stroke may result in permanent loss of function. Which body function will be affected depends on which part of the brain is affected. Common long-term effects include impaired vision or speech, severe weakness or paralysis of limbs on one side of the body, swallowing difficulties, memory loss, depression and mood swings.