How Do Strokes Happen
Strokes happen when a blood vessel that brings oxygen to the brain is either blocked or bursts open . Lack of oxygen kills the brain cells that this particular blood vessel serves, and the part of the body that these brain cells control stops working.
When the blood vessel is only blocked for a short time, its called a transient ischemic attack . They are like mini-strokes or warning strokes, and they tend to happen before a major stroke. The symptoms are similar to those of a major stroke but only last for a few minutes.
Knowing the signs of a stroke can help you get treatment fast and maybe even avoid a major stroke event in the case of TIAs.
What Is A Spinal Stroke
A spinal stroke is a disruption in the blood supply to the spinal cord. The spinal cord depends on a supply of blood to function properly. A disruption in the blood supply can cause injury or damage to tissues and can block messages travelling along the spinal cord.
The blood supply to the spinal cord involves a complex system of blood vessels. The main blood vessels are the anterior spinal artery and the posterior spinal artery . Spinal strokes are most common in the anterior spinal artery.
Most spinal strokes are caused by blockages in the blood supply. These are called;ischaemic;spinal strokes. Some spinal strokes are caused by bleeds. These are called;haemorrhagicspinal strokes.
Spinal strokes are a rare condition. They are less common than strokes that affect the brain. They account for 1.25% of all strokes.
Neck Cracking And Stroke: How Risky Is It
May 20, 2019 — The story about the 28-year-old Oklahoma man who had a stroke after stretching his sore neck has gone viral recently, and now, thankfully, a happy ending is in sight.
Josh Hader, a husband and father of two, says he is walking better now, and his vision is getting back to normal, too. He’s hoping to get back to his full-time work as an account manager at a computer company later this month and put the ordeal that began March 14 behind him.
His experience has fueled an important discussion about neck cracking or stretching: Is it safe, or can it hurt you?
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What Is A Pre
Did you know that approximately 1 in 3 people who have a pre-stroke will eventually have a stroke? Additionally, half of these individuals have a stroke within 1 year of the initial pre-stroke or mini stroke. However, being able to identify a mini stroke can help you to prevent a massive stroke from happening in the future. In order to do so, however, one must know what a pre-stroke/mini stroke is and how to identify it.;
Pre-strokes or mini strokes are the common terms used to describe a transient ischemic attack . Unlike a full blown stroke, a TIA only lasts a few minutes and does not cause permanent damage. Nevertheless it is a warning sign that a possible stroke may be coming in the future. In some cases, this may be as soon as hours or days later, or as late as years later.;
Although strokes and ministrokes last for different amounts of time, they do have similar symptoms. Many symptoms of a ministroke mirror the early symptoms of an actual stroke. These include:;
- Weakness and/or numbness in the face, arms, or legs, generally on one side of the body
- Slurred or garbled speech
- Blindness or double vision in one or both eyes
- Vertigo
- Loss of balance and/or coordination;
Problems With Thinking Or Cognition
**The areas of the brain that control thinking and higher cognition also may be affected by a stroke (# ‘inline-reference::”Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicie, 16th ed.
**”; Dennis L. Kasper, et al. ; 2005′). Loss of consciousness, confusion, sudden loss of memory and difficulties speaking, understanding speech, writing or reading may be symptoms of a stroke. Sudden severe headache, particularly when accompanied with loss of consciousness or nausea and vomiting, can be a sign that a particularly severe type of stroke may have occurred, although it is unlikely that someone would remain asleep despite these symptoms.
- The areas of the brain that control thinking and higher cognition also may be affected by a stroke (# ‘inline-reference::”Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicie, 16th ed.
- “;
Like a stroke, a TIA is caused by a disruption of the flow of blood to part of the brain 1. In a TIA, however, the blood flow returns more or less to normal after a few minutes (# ‘inline-reference::”Clinical Neurology, 7th ed.
- Like a stroke, a TIA is caused by a disruption of the flow of blood to part of the brain 1.
- The neurological symptoms from a TIA typically last five to 15 minutes, but a stroke proper is not considered to have occurred unless they last longer than 24 hours 2.
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Red Flag Symptoms That Can Accompany A Stiff Neck
If a stiff neck is the result of a condition other than a strain or sprain, oftentimes other symptoms will also be present. In such cases, typically at least one other symptom will develop with or before the stiff, painful neck occurs.1
See Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies
Below are red flag symptoms that could indicate a potentially serious underlying medical condition is causing the stiff neck:
- Fever, which likely signals an infection is being fought
- Headache, especially if it seems different from previous headaches in terms of duration, intensity, or accompanying symptoms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Change in mental state, which could include confusion or mood swings
- Coordination issues, such as dizziness or problems walking or writing
- Weight loss that is not part of a diet change
Model Actress Recovers From Stroke Caused By Cervical Dissection
Claudia Mason never imagined whipping her head around dancing could put her at risk of a stroke.
But the neck soreness the New York-based model and actress experienced after a dance class during which she threw her head around à la Beyoncé, was actually a symptom of cervical dissection , or a tear in her vertebral artery.
When an artery is injured, a blood clot forms to heal the injury. In Masons case, that blood clot became dislodged, blocking the blood flow to the brain, causing an ischemic stroke.
I never thought something like this could happen to a healthy younger adult in a dance class, Mason said. I always thought strokes were something only seniors citizens with heart disease had.
A new scientific statement published Thursday by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association says neck traumas like the one Mason experienced, and treatments that involve neck manipulations provided by some health practitioners, may be associated with stroke. Even neck pain alone could be a symptom of the beginning of a cervical dissection.
Patients should seek emergency medical evaluation if they develop neurological symptoms after neck manipulation or trauma, such as pain in the back of their neck or in their head, dizziness/vertigo, double vision, unsteadiness when walking, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, and jerky eye movements.
At that point, I knew there was a real problem and it was time to get to the hospital, she said.
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How To Spot The Early Warning Signs
You might have heard the FAST acronym before. Its an easy way to remember the most common warning signs of a stroke and the importance of acting quickly:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness or numbness
- Speech problems such as slurring or difficulty repeating a sentence
- Time to call an ambulance
However, there are some other possible symptoms that you should watch out for too:
- A sudden, severe headache
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Loss of vision or changes to your vision in one or both eyes, which usually happens suddenly
- Feeling confused or having trouble understanding things that are usually easy for you
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
The signs of a stroke often appear suddenly, but that doesnt mean that you wont have time to act. Some people will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke. One study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.
If you take note of these symptoms and seek help even if they go away, then your chances of a good recovery are much better. Dont ignore the early warning signs. You arent overreacting if theres a change youve had a TIA. Get help right away as a more serious stroke could be hours or days away.
Posture And Sleeping Position
Holding your neck in an awkward position for a prolonged time can lead to strains in the muscles and tendons of your neck and shoulders.
Some of the postures and activities that commonly contribute to neck and shoulder pain are:
- sleeping on too high a pillow or a stack of pillows
- grinding or clenching your teeth at night
- sitting at a computer or over a phone with your neck strained forward or tilted up
- suddenly jerking your neck during exercise
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Checking The Sleep Environment
Sometimes, a mattress that is too firm or not supportive enough can cause neck pain. A pillow that is the incorrect size or firmness may also cause a stiff neck.
The head, neck, and back should be in an aligned position during sleep. The pillows that a person uses should suit their sleeping position.
A firmer, larger pillow may work well for side sleepers. Back sleepers may need a flatter pillow that supports the head and neck without forcing them into a forward position.
Signs Of A Heart Attack Feet
- Getting edema in your lower legs and feet: Before a heart attack, you may get Edema in your lower legs, feet, ankles. When it happens, your shoes will feel light because of the swelling.
- Purple or Blue colored skin: When youre warm but you are getting a blue or purple skin, your blood isnt getting enough oxygen. The medical name of blue toe syndrome is Cyanosis, happens when one or more blood vessel is blocked, either in the heart muscles or around it.;
- Painful lumps in toes, fingers: If you have infective endocarditis , Some painful bumps or lumps may appear on the fingers of your feet, in the toes or both.
- Peripheral artery disease:Peripheral artery disease is a disease when cholesterol and plaque in the arteries, and it can cause discomfort in walking. It directly refers to a cardiovascular problem relating to heart problems.
-
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What Are The Causes Of Acute Ischemic Stroke
The stroke occurs when an artery bringing oxygen to the brain is blocked off. This can occur because a blood clot can travel from elsewhere in the body until it lodges in a blood vessel which is smaller than the clot. Plaque, a combination of calcium, cholesterol and other substances, can also build up in the larger arteries in the neck. A piece can break off and travel further into the brain where it can lodge in a smaller vessel, blocking it off.
There are other causes of stroke, but the end result is the same: loss of function due to the brain being deprived of oxygen. In general, the larger the blood clot, the larger the amount of brain that is damaged, and the more significant the symptoms the patient experiences.
In this video, Dr. Ahuja covers the common causes of a stroke:
Am I Having A Heart Attack
Is a chest pain always refers to heart disease: NO.
Right side chest pain is related to a heart problem: YES
People suffering from anxiety disorders can suffer from chest pain: YES
Chest pain can be caused by Stress: YES
A heart attack happens with sudden chest pain: NO
Before a heart attack, there will be shortness of breath, cold sweat, fatigue, vomiting, etc: YES
If you have chest pain and other signs of a heart attack, Call 911 right away.;
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Neck Manipulation May Be Associated With Stroke
- Date:
- American Heart Association
- Summary:
- Manipulating the neck has been associated with cervical dissection, a type of arterial tear that can lead to stroke. Although a direct cause-and-effect link has not been established between neck manipulation and the risk of stroke, healthcare providers should inform patients of the association before they undergo neck manipulation.
Manipulating the neck has been associated with cervical dissection, a type of arterial tear that can lead to stroke. Although a direct cause-and-effect link has not been established between neck manipulation and the risk of stroke, healthcare providers should inform patients of the association before they undergo neck manipulation.
Treatments involving neck manipulation may be associated with stroke, though it cannot be said with certainty that neck manipulation causes strokes, according to a new scientific statement published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.
Cervical artery dissection is a small tear in the layers of artery walls in the neck. It can result in ischemic stroke if a blood clot forms after a trivial or major trauma in the neck and later causes blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. Cervical artery dissection is an important cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults.
Although techniques for cervical manipulative therapy vary, some maneuvers used as therapy by health practitioners also extend and rotate the neck and sometimes involve a forceful thrust.
What Causes Spinal Strokes
Most spinal strokes are caused by a thickening or narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the spinal cord.
Our arteries tend to harden, narrow and weaken as we get older however there are some groups of people who are at an increased risk. These include people with high blood pressure, people with high cholesterol, people with heart disease or diabetes , people who smoke, people with a high alcohol intake and people who do not exercise regularly.
Some spinal strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking one of the arteries supplying the spinal cord. A blood clot can form in these arteries or form in a blood vessel elsewhere in the body and travel in the bloodstream to the spinal cord. Clots commonly form where arteries have narrowed due to a build-up of fatty deposits on their inner walls. The narrowing or furring of the arteries is called atherosclerosis.
Some spinal strokes are caused by one of the blood vessels supplying the spinal cord bursting and causing a bleed. The most common cause is high blood pressure which damages and weakens the arteries making them more likely to tear. Some people have this type of spinal stroke because they have aneurysms which burst.
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See Your Doctor As Soon As Possible If You Experience Any Of These Troubling Symptoms
We all get headaches from time to time. They can be brought on by annoying but manageable reasons such as stress, dehydration or your menstrual cycle, or they could be the result of an ongoing medical issue, such as migraines.
But how can you tell when a headache is a symptom of an even more serious or life-threatening problem? Here are some signs to look for.
What Is Neck Pain
Stroke Signs and SymptomsNeck pain is a state of the neck when the neck muscles are strained or any other parts like the ligaments, bones are treated unusually like a long bad posture can cause inflammation or injury to your neck. A good example is when youve fallen from above, hitting your upper torso when the Cervical disks absorb shock between the bones. And all these are not really that much serious medical issue and usually relieved in a few days.
But when it comes to heart disease discussion, Neck pain is referred to when Getting a tear to a major blood vessel in the neck. It leads you to a potential heart attack.
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American Heart Association News Stories
American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association.
Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.
Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Associations Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.
HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.
Neck Cracking: Relief Or Risky
The link between neck cracking and stroke does exist, at least for some, neurologists say. “In general, you can’t generate enough force or movement on your own to cause a tear of the blood vessel, which ultimately is what probably causes the stroke,” says Doojin Kim, MD, co-medical director of the stroke program at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, CA. He did not treat Hader but spoke in general about neck cracking. He says that ”in some, their genetics may make their blood vessels a little more fragile or their connective tissue a little more pliable. So, in general, I recommend patients don’t do it.”
“The risk of cracking is not entirely understood,” says Steven Messe, MD, associate professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, who also spoke in generalities. ”The vertebral arteries run into the bones of the spinal column of the neck,” he says, and ”you can potentially end up blocking that artery when you crack your neck.”
Messe tells people to avoid neck cracking if possible, ”because there may be a small risk” of a dissection, or tear in the lining of an artery.
However, Keith Overland, DC, who has a chiropractic practice in Norwalk, CT, and is a past president of the American Chiropractic Association, says that if neck cracking is done very rarely, ”It’s not bad.” But people should not make a habit of it.
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