Stroke/CVA

What is a Stroke?
Stroke is the clinical designation for a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to an interruption in the blood supply to all or part of the brain. This phenomenon can be caused by thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage.[

Stroke is a condition caused by an interruption of blood supply to the brain or by hemorrhage (bleeding) within the brain.

Risk Factors
Risk factors for stroke include advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), previous stroke or TIA (transient ischaemic attack), diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, atrial fibrillation, migraine with aura, and thrombophilia. In clinical practice blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke, however many other risk factors, such as cigarette smoking cessation and treatment of atrial fibrillation with anticoagulant drugs, are important.

What are the symptoms of stroke?
Symptoms of stoke include weakness, numbness, or inability to move the arm(s) or leg(s), usually on one side of the body; sudden and intense headache; severe dizziness or loss of coordination and balance; difficulty with speaking or understanding; and blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes. People with stroke may also have seizures, vomiting, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Some people experience temporary warning episodes of neurologic symptoms called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) before suffering a complete stroke. People experiencing symptoms suggestive of having suffered a stroke or a TIA require immediate (emergency room) medical attention.

Conventional treatment options
In cases of stroke due to clots (ischemic stroke), conventional treatment includes clot-dissolving (thrombolytic) medications, such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (AlteplaseÆ), and anticoagulants, such as aspirin, warfarin, and heparin. In cases of stroke due to bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Conventional treatment can include surgical procedures to stop bleeding and repair blood vessels.

Nutritional Intervention
A number of nutritional supplements have shown promise in preventing and treatment of stroke. These fall into several categories.

1. Fibrinolytics - for increasing blood fluidity
2. Stroke Recovery Formulas - For enhanced memory and brain function. These products include phospolipids¹ and amino acids.

1. http://www.phospholipidsonline.com/