Stroke definition in medical terms
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Medical Definition of Stroke: Key Terms and Concepts
Stroke is defined in medical terms as a sudden neurological deficit caused by an acute injury to the central nervous system (CNS) due to a vascular event. This includes both ischemic events (blockage of blood flow) and hemorrhagic events (bleeding into the brain) Firan2020Murphy2020Sacco2013+1 MORE. The injury can affect the brain, spinal cord, or retina, and is attributed to either a loss of blood supply (infarction) or bleeding (hemorrhage) Firan2020Murphy2020Sacco2013+1 MORE.
Types of Stroke: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic
There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type, caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, leading to tissue death due to lack of oxygen and nutrients Hathaway2005Shamshiev2024Murphy2020+2 MORE.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into or around the brain Hathaway2005Shamshiev2024Murphy2020+2 MORE.
Both types result in rapid loss of brain function, and the specific symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected Hathaway2005Murphy2020Uysal2021.
Clinical Features and Diagnostic Criteria
A stroke is characterized by rapidly developing symptoms and signs of focal (sometimes global) loss of cerebral function, lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death, with no apparent cause other than a vascular origin Vispute2018Uysal2021. Symptoms can include paralysis, speech and language problems, sensory loss, cognitive impairment, and changes in consciousness Vispute2018Uysal2021.
The updated medical definition also incorporates evidence from neuroimaging and pathology, not just clinical symptoms. Central nervous system infarction is defined as cell death in the brain, spinal cord, or retina due to ischemia, confirmed by clinical, imaging, or pathological evidence .
Stroke as a Major Health Concern
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with significant socioeconomic impact Firan2020Shamshiev2024Murphy2020+1 MORE. It is most common in older adults, but about 10% of strokes occur in people under 50 Firan2020Murphy2020. Risk factors include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity Murphy2020Uysal2021Zade2024.
Conclusion
In summary, stroke in medical terms refers to a sudden loss of neurological function due to a vascular event in the central nervous system, either from blocked blood flow (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and, increasingly, on imaging evidence. Stroke remains a major cause of death and disability, highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection, and effective management Firan2020Hathaway2005Shamshiev2024+5 MORE.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
STROKE: A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF TRENDS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT (LITERATURE REVIEW)
Understanding underlying factors is crucial for effective prevention, early detection, and management of stroke, which is the second leading cause of disability and mortality globally.
Stroke: causes and clinical features
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, with hypertension being the most important modifiable risk factor, and understanding its causes and mechanisms is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Etymological analysis of the term «Stroke» in russian, english and german medical terminology
The term "stroke" in medical terminology is derived from Latin terminological units, with native units also present in English and German.
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