Problems & Conditions
Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident, CVA)
A Stroke (or Brain Attack) is the name for an interruption in the blood flow in the Brain.
Symptoms
The Symptoms of a Stroke are related to which portion of the Brain has become damaged as a result of the interruption in blood flow. The Symptoms can occur suddenly or over a few days. Often Headache is the first symptom.
Other symptoms may include:
- Muscle weakness in the face, arm, or leg (usually just one side)
- Numbness or tingling on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking
- Problems with eyesight, including decreased vision, double vision, or total loss of vision
- Sensation changes that affect touch and the ability to feel pain, pressure, different temperatures, or other stimuli
- Changes in hearing
- Change in alertness (including sleepiness, unconsciousness, and coma)
- Personality, mood, or emotional changes
- Confusion or loss of memory
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty writing or reading
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of balance
- Clumsiness
- Trouble walking
- Dizziness or abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo)
- Lack of control over the bladder or bowels
Causes
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a specific part of the brain becomes interrupted due to a blockage or a breakage. If blood flow is stopped for longer than a dozen seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage
1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 504-988-5187 medsch@tulane.edu