An In-Depth Look at Stroke and Its Ties to Arterial Dissection

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. Nearly 800,000 people have a stroke every year. Unfortunately, many people don’t know that common activities and daily habits can increase their risk of having a stroke. Even seeing a chiropractor, which is perceived to be conducive to good health, may increase stroke risks.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke is described by the National Stroke Association as a kind of “brain attack.” Basically, an event occurs that causes the blood flow to the brain to be interrupted. Due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients, some of the cells begin to die. The functions controlled by the area of the brain in which damage has occurred may be affected.

What Causes a Stroke?

Anyone can have a stroke at any age, as it can be caused by trauma or health issues. Healthy people can sometimes have a stroke due to arterial dissection. This type of injury consists of small tears in the arteries that are often caused by seemingly harmless actions such as the spinal manipulation that is administered by chiropractors.

Health and lifestyle factors that may make an individual more susceptible to having a stroke include:

• Obesity
• Binge drinking
• Medications that raise heart rate
• Illegal drugs that raise the heart rate
• Lack of physical activity
• Cigarettes
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea

Symptoms of a Stroke

There may be little to no warning before a stroke occurs, so it is important to recognize the warning signs of a stroke. Early treatment can help to prevent permanent disabilities from setting in.

There are several symptoms that are commonly noticed after an individual has a stroke, no matter what the cause. Dizziness, headache, confusion, and difficulty seeing are all commonly experienced immediately following a stroke. Depending on which area of the brain was affected, there may be numbness and even paralysis in the face and limbs.

Stroke Prognosis

A stroke can be deadly, particularly if treatment isn’t sought quickly to restore the blood flow to the brain. A small number of stroke victims recover completely, but most retain at least one type of permanent disability. The face may droop, one side of the body may be permanently paralyzed, memory functions may be affected, and pain and temperature sensitivity may be experienced.