Learn all about ischemia

Ischemia, or ischemic stroke, is a dangerous occurrence that happens when a blockage in an artery blocks the flow of blood that should supply an area of ​​the brain. As a result of this, the cells in the affected area die, causing various sequelae or even death.

After ischemia, the person can suffer several complications, such as behavioral and cognitive changes, speech difficulties, difficulty in eating, intestinal constipation, vascular epilepsy, depression and other implications resulting from immobility and muscle involvement.

One of the determining factors for the types of consequences caused is the time elapsed between the onset of ischemia and receiving the necessary treatment. The damage is considerably greater when the service takes a long time to start.

Some of the risk factors that contribute to its appearance are: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, migraine, use of hormonal contraceptives, consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and obesity.

As these factors can be prevented or treated, 80% of ischemia could be avoided.

Daily habits for the prevention of ischemia

• Take care of cardiovascular health, control blood pressure, keep cholesterol and glucose levels at good levels;
• Do not smoke;
• Keep an active routine, exercise regularly;
• Eat healthy, avoid excess fat, alcohol, sugar and salt.

How to identify possible ischemia: the symptoms

• Weakness in the limbs: The sudden lack of strength in the limbs, which can range from very mild weakness to complete paralysis. Numbness, tingling or a light prickling sensation may also be present;
• Facial asymmetry: unilateral facial paralysis that preserves the upper half of the face. There is a deviation of the mouth in the opposite direction to the paralyzed side;
• Speech disorders: aphasia and dysarthria.

Aphasia occurs when the patient is unable to name objects and things, repeat a spoken word or, in some more severe cases, write and understand meanings, losing the ability to speak globally.

In dysarthria, the patient loses the motor ability to move the muscles of speech in order to correctly articulate words, sometimes making communication incomprehensible;

• Mental confusion: losing track of time and space or even reaching a level of dementia;
• Gait changes: difficulty walking or standing without support due to imbalance, loss of strength or changes in motor coordination;
• Seizures: Generalized motor jerks associated with loss of consciousness.

Faced with a suspicion of ischemia, due to the presence of some of the symptoms, the person should be taken immediately to a hospital. The doctor will order a CT scan or MRI of the brain to accurately assess the size, cause, location, and severity of the possible injury.

types of ischemia

• Thrombotic: blockage by a clot formed in an artery that supplies the brain due to atherosclerosis;
• By embolism: clot formed in another part of the body and carried to an artery of the brain by the blood circulation;
• Circulatory failure: failure of the heart, which fails to pump enough blood to the brain.

There are drugs capable of preventing death or sequelae in those who are victims of ischemia. These break up the clots and promptly restore circulation, but to be effective, they must be ingested no later than three hours after the onset of the attack.

Treatment after ischemia

In order for the patient to recover his abilities and improve his quality of life, he must be analyzed and treated by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, such as physiotherapists, doctors and psychologists. Rehabilitation should begin in the hospital and continue as needed for your clinical case.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.