Brain Attack

Brain Attack: brain attack coalition

Brain attack or stroke is a medical emergency and time is the essence. Early treatment can save a person from permanent disability or death.

What is Brain Attack?

Brain attack is a condition which results from brain damage caused by interruption in blood supply to a part of brain. The onset is sudden with symptoms developing within minutes to hours. The brain attack may lead to loss of function of a part of the body - paralysis of an arm or leg, one half or one side of the body. There may be also loss of sensation or vision and the afflicted person may be unable to speak or understand spoken words.

Why does brain attack/stroke require urgent attention?

Brain Attack require urgent attention in order to prevent death or severe disability and dependency. To be effective, treatment has to be initiated within three hours of the onset of the symptoms or disability. Appropriate treatment can halt the progression of the stoke or reverse its deficit. If someone develops a brain attack, don't waste any time, as prompt response and urgent treatment may a save life or prevent disability.

How is a brain attack aborted?

In the earliest hours, brain attack is reversible. t-pa is a drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in acute brain attack/stroke within three hours of its onset. For patient with symptoms of onset beyond six hours - there are other forms of treatment by their efficacy is less well established. Only patients with specific criteria can be treated with t-pa.

Is there any risk with the brain attack treatment?

In an appropriate clinical setting, it is both safe and effective. According to American Heart Association, there is a 4% risk of bleeding with t-PA. This can be minimized with proper selection of patients by a neurologist.

Can anything be done if the patient arrives three hours after the onset of the brain attack/stroke?

Yes, even if the candidate not fit for t-PA or has come too late, he or she can benefit from other forms of treatment aimed at minimizing the extent of brain damage.

What happens when a patient recovers from a brain attack?

An intensive rehabilitation program planned by a physiotherapist, occupational and speech therapist, in consultation with the treating physician helps the patient to achieve his or her maximum recover potential.

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Site last updated: March 4, 2008

Brain Attack