To put it in simple terms, when the supply of blood to our brain is interrupted it’s called a brain stroke. Rupture of a blood vessel in the brain can also cause a stroke.

There are three types of brain stroke and their causes:

1. Transient ischemic attack (TIA): When there is a blood clot that usually reverses by itself.

This category is further classified into the following types:

  • Embolic
  • Thrombotic
  • Inflammatory

Treatment and the recovery process vary with the type. A blood clot causes a TIA and serves as a warning that a full-fledged stroke is a possibility.

2. Ischemic Stroke: It is caused by a blockage, by a plaque or clot in the artery. It is more dangerous than TIA because it has a tendency to become permanent.

There are two types of blockages that can be caused due to this type of stroke:

Cerebral Embolism and Cerebral Thrombosis

  • Cerebral Embolism: This condition occurs when a blood clot forms elsewhere in the body, such as in the chest or neck.
  • Cerebral Thrombosis is when a blood clot is formed at the fatty plaque within the blood vessel.

3. Hemorrhagic Stroke: It’s the one in which the blood vessel leaks or bursts and gets into the brain.

Hemorrhage is of two types: Intracerebral and Subarachnoid.

  • Intra cerebral Hemorrhagic Stroke: It occurs when the tissues around the brain get filled with blood due to the bursting of an artery.
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhagic Stroke: It causes bleeding in the area around the brain and the tissues covering the brain.

Men and women have separate reasons for a brain stroke, genetics being a common cause among both the sexes.

IS BRAIN ATTACK OR STROKE AN EMERGENCY_Causes of stroke among women

As compared to men, women are at a higher risk of having a brain stroke.

When you have a migraine with difficulty in focusing, it is a sign that it can become serious. Usage of contraceptive pills can also be a reason. Smoking, obesity, some specific type of oral contraceptive pills can cause a brain stroke. Higher blood pressure can also cause brain stroke. Women are at a higher risk of having a brain stroke during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and sometimes high blood pressure.

The risk of a brain stroke is especially higher during the third trimester and three months after giving birth.

Causes of Stroke in Men

Ischemic stroke is quite common among men. Just like women, high blood pressure can also cause brain stroke among men. Smoking can easily cause brain stroke and we all know more men are smokers than women. Smoking makes the blood thicker and increases the build-up of plaque in the artery.  Being obese can also be a cause of brain stroke. Diabetes is also capable of damaging our blood vessels and eventually a stroke. Too much drinking can also be a reason for stroke as too much drinking can increase blood pressure.

what causes brain stroke

Symptoms of brain stroke

If you notice any of the symptoms in someone that we’re going to discuss, please take medical help.

  • If the person is not speaking clearly and experiencing difficulty in understanding what others are saying, it is a sign. Please do not ignore it.
  • Another symptom of paralysis is paralysis of the face, arms, or legs. There might be weakness or numbness. Especially on either the right or the left side of one’s body. Tell the person to raise both hands together, if one of them falls, it can be a stroke. If the person is smiling, one side of the mouth may droop as well.
  • Difficult vision is also a sign. The person might feel that his vision is blurred or blackened even in one eye or both of them or the person might see double.
  • A severe headache is also a sign, which is followed by vomiting, dizziness, or lack of control over the senses.
  • Lack of coordination of muscles while walking is another sign.

How to prevent brain stroke?

  • Maintain a healthy weight: If you are on the heavier side, check your Body Mass Index, if you are in the obese or overweight category, it’s not a good sign.
  • Work out: Working out, be it weight lifting, dancing, yoga, or aerobics, all lead to the same destination, better health overall. Working out keeps your blood sugar levels and cholesterol level under control, which makes it a very necessary part of our lifestyle.
  • Healthy diet and nutrition: Make your health a priority, avoid junk food and eat nutrient-rich food. It’ll take you a long way.
  •  No tobacco: Do not smoke, use a nicotine patch to curb the craving to lead a healthy life and if still can’t quit smoking try therapy, do all things in you to quit smoking.
  • No heavy drinking: Avoid making alcohol a habit.
  •  Treat your diabetes: Having diabetes for too long makes the formation of clots more likely in the blood vessels. So, keep your blood sugar levels in check.
  • Treat Atrial Fibrillation: It happens when irregular heartbeat causes clots to form and then they travel to the brain and eventually cause brain stroke. It has a fivefold risk of causing a brain stroke. If you have heart palpitations or shortness of breath, it can be a sign, take help.
  • Trust your body: Whenever you see any of the symptoms like blurred or blackened vision, paralysis or numbness, lack of coordination, do not question whether it is all real, just go with your instinct. A lot of people ignore the signs, do not do that, trust your instincts. Please take professional help.

Foods that can help in preventing a stroke

  • Fruits and vegetables: When buying them go for deep reds, oranges, yellows, blues, purples, and greens.
  • Fresh and whole-food:   Have fresh food and stay away from packaged food as much as possible.   Nothing good can come out of a packet.
  • Salt-free spices: Excessively salty food can be a cause of high blood pressure so try including salt-free spices in your food like turmeric, black pepper cumin, and paprika.
  • Water: Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated at all times.

Remember, “prevention is better than cure”.