Vertigo

Stroke is defined as abrupt onset of neurological deficit that is attributable to a focal vascular cause .It is the 3rd commonest cause of death worldwide. It represents 1.2% of total deaths in India. Stroke related death increased with age (>70yrs-2.4%).Prevalence rate of stroke per 100,000 is 44- 165.The risk factors for stroke are  hypertension, heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, tobacco use, Hypercholesterolemia, Physical inactivity. There are 2 types of stroke: ISCHEMIC SROKES can occur two ways and are the most common, accounting for 85% of strokes. HEMORRHAGIC STROKE is a second type of stroke which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures.  Ischemic penumbra is an area which is ischemic but still has viable cerebral tissue which can be salvaged if treated early. The series of neurochemical processes that are unleashed by transient or permanent focal cerebral ischemia are referred to as the ischemic cascade

Treating Stroke

The Goal of management is early treatment and protection of penumbra.There are two concepts of stroke treatment which are early recanalization & Ischemic cascade blockade (Neuroprotection). Neuroprotection means strategies that antagonizes, interrupts or slows the sequence of injurious biochemical and molecular events that if left unchecked, would eventuate in irreversible ischemic injury.Free radical scavangers, blockade of excitotoxicity are amongst the different strategies used for neuroprotection.Prevention of stroke by using anticoagulants is also an important step in stroke management.