How Are Strokes Treated

Treatments for stroke depend on many factors. These include what kind it is and how long it lasted. The sooner you can seek help after a stroke, the more likely you’ll have a better recovery.

TIA

Treatments for TIA include taking medications that will help prevent future strokes. These medications include antiplatelets and anticoagulants.

Antiplatelets reduce the likelihood that components of your blood called platelets will stick together and cause a clot. Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) are antiplatelet medications.

Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the buildup of clotting proteins. Several different types of these medications exist, including warfarin (Coumadin) and dabigatran (Pradaxa).

A doctor may also recommend a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. This removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery of your neck, which is a major cause of stroke.

Ischemic stroke:

The ischemic stroke treatments you receive depend on how quickly you get to a hospital. They also depend on your individual medical history.

If you seek treatment within three hours for this type of stroke, your doctor may be able to give you a medication known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This medication, which is delivered through an IV, can dissolve the clot. However, not all people can receive tPA due to risks for bleeding. Your doctor has to carefully consider your medical history before administering TPA.

Doctors can use procedures to physically remove the clot or deliver clot-busting medications to your brain.

Hemorrhagic stroke:

Hemorrhagic stroke treatments involve trying to stop bleeding in your brain and reduce the side effects associated with brain bleeding. Side effects may include increased intracranial pressure. Surgical procedures include surgical clipping or coiling. These are designed to keep the blood vessel from bleeding further.

You may be given medications to reduce intracranial pressure. You may also need blood transfusions to increase the amount of blood-clotting materials in your blood to try to stop bleeding.

Treatments

How Are Strokes Treated
Treatments for stroke depend on many factors. These include what kind it is and how long it lasted. The sooner you can seek help after a stroke, the more likely you’ll have a better recovery. TIA Treatments for TIA include taking medications that will help prevent future strokes. These medications include antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Antiplatelets reduce the likelihood that components of your blood called platelets will stick together and cause a clot. Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) are antiplatelet medications. Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the buildup of clotting proteins. Several different types of these medications exist, including warfarin (Coumadin) and dabigatran (Pradaxa). A doctor may also recommend a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. This removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery of your neck, which is a major cause of stroke. Ischemic stroke: The ischemic stroke treatments you receive depend on how quickly you get to a hospital. They also depend on your individual medical history. If you seek treatment within three hours for this type of stroke, your doctor may be able to give you a medication known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This medication, which is delivered through an IV, can dissolve the clot. However, not all people can receive tPA due to risks for bleeding. Your doctor has to carefully consider your medical history before administering TPA. Doctors can use procedures to physically remove the clot or deliver clot-busting medications to your brain. Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke treatments involve trying to stop bleeding in your brain and reduce the side effects associated with brain bleeding. Side effects may include increased intracranial pressure. Surgical procedures include surgical clipping or coiling. These are designed to keep the blood vessel from bleeding further. You may be given medications to reduce intracranial pressure. You may also need blood transfusions to increase the amount of blood-clotting materials in your blood to try to stop bleeding. View

How Are Strokes Treated

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How It’s Treated
The specific treatment depends on the type of cerebrovascular disease that you have. However, the treatment centers on improving your brain’s blood flow. Based on the cause of the loss of blood flow, your doctor will choose among several treatment options. The most effective treatment for you will depend on the extent of the loss of blood flow. Most cases of cerebrovascular disease are treated with medications. These medications may include: • blood pressure medications • cholesterol medications • blood thinners Medications are usually given to people whose arteries are less than 50 percent blocked or narrowed. In more severe cases, surgery to remove plaque or blockages, or to insert a stent may be required. If brain function has already been reduced or altered by a cerebrovascular disease, then you may need to have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as a part of the recovery process. View

How It’s Treated

The specific treatment depends on the type of cerebrovascular disease that you have. However, the treatment centers on improving your brain’s blood flow. Based on the cause of the loss of blood flow, your doctor will choose among several treatment options. The most effective treatment for you will depend on the extent of the loss of blood flow.

Most cases of cerebrovascular disease are treated with medications. These medications may include:

• blood pressure medications
• cholesterol medications
• blood thinners

Medications are usually given to people whose arteries are less than 50 percent blocked or narrowed. In more severe cases, surgery to remove plaque or blockages, or to insert a stent may be required.

If brain function has already been reduced or altered by a cerebrovascular disease, then you may need to have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as a part of the recovery process.

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