Blood clot in the brain
Apoplexia cerebri (Latin name)By Bjarne Lühr Hansen PhD, MD and Philipp Skafte-Holm MD, Mentor Institute
A blood clot in the brain is a serious and life-threatening condition. Paralysis in the face and in the body as well as visual disturbances and speech disorders are typical signs. You should always contact your doctor immediately if you suspect a blood clot in your brain.
The term "blood clot in the brain" covers both a true blood clot in the brain and a bleeding in the brain. In either case, the blood supply fails to part of the brain and certain symptoms occur.
Typically, it is facial paralysis, paralysis or sensory disturbances on one side of the body, speech disturbances and visual disturbances. Symptoms usually occur within a few minutes.
By facial paralysis one side of the face “hangs” - it is clearly seen if you ask the sick to smile. When paralyzing one side of the body, the force in the arm and leg is reduced or abolished. In speech disorders, finding the right words is hard and difficult to pronounce the words correctly.
In some cases, paralysis, speech or visual disturbances last for only a few minutes. It may be a sign that a true blood clot in the brain is on its way. Although your symptoms go away, you should always consult your doctor.
The disease affects especially people older than 60 years. Elevated blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle increase your risk of being affected by a blood clot.
It is possible to dissolve a blood clot in the brain with medicine. It is therefore important to get to the hospital as soon as possible. It has been shown that the faster you get treatment, the more chance there is to be healed.
Treatment should be started within 4½ hours. In the hospital, a scan of the brain can indicate whether it is a blood clot or a bleeding in the brain. It is only through a blood clot in the brain that the blood clot dissolves when treated with medicine.