Illustration showing ischemic stroke [Photo/mayoclinic.org]
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted or reduced.
This deprives your brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause your brain cells to die. A stroke may be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke).
When people use the term "ministroke," they're really often referring to is a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
A TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain, spinal cord or retina, which may cause stroke-like symptoms but does not damage brain cells or cause permanent disability.
When you have an ischemic stroke, the oxygen-rich blood supply to part of your brain is reduced.
With a hemorrhagic stroke, there is bleeding in the brain. After about 4 minutes without blood and oxygen, brain cells become damaged and may die.
A stroke can affect the way your body functions. It brings about problems with movement and balance: many people experience muscle weakness or paralysis after a stroke, which can affect mobility and balance.
This usually happens on one side of the body and can also cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
Here are the four most common symptoms of a stroke;
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.