Cerebrovascular accident
Cerebrovascular Accident
A Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), also known as a stroke, is a medical condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Pronounced as "ser-uh-broh-vas-kyuh-ler ak-si-duhnt", the term is derived from the Latin words 'cerebrum' meaning brain, 'vasculum' meaning little vessel, and 'accidere' meaning to happen.
Causes
Cerebrovascular accidents can be caused by a blockage (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA) that doesn't cause permanent damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Other symptoms can include confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or sudden severe headache.
Treatment
Treatment for cerebrovascular accident depends on whether it's ischemic or hemorrhagic. Treatment for ischemic stroke may include medications to prevent blood clots and strokes, such as aspirin or other antiplatelet drugs. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment may include surgery to repair the bleeding or other treatments to prevent further bleeding and reduce pressure on the brain.
Prevention
Prevention of cerebrovascular accident involves managing key risk factors, including high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Lifestyle changes can also play a key role in reducing these risk factors.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cerebrovascular accident
- Wikipedia's article - Cerebrovascular accident
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