According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are the No. 3 cause of death in the United States behind only diseases of the heart and cancer. A stroke takes place when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked by a blood clot or ruptures. When this happens, the area of the brain fed by the blood vessel cannot get oxygen and dies. A brain stem stroke can be particularly devastating because the brain stem performs basic life-supporting functions such as breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.
Significance
Each area of the brain controls particular functions of the body. These functions include hearing, vision, communication, emotions, muscle strength and coordination. The brain is divided into four main parts, composing the left hemisphere, the right hemisphere, the cerebellum and the brain stem. While each of these parts is important, the brain stem is located so that all of the conduction in the brain travel down it to reach the rest of the body. For this reason, a stroke in the brain stem can affect the entire body.
Identification
As discussed by the National Stroke Association, a stroke in the brain stem may cause symptoms of difficulty with eye movements, hearing, speech or swallowing. Other symptoms of a brain stem stroke may include difficulty with breathing and dysregulation of blood pressure. A patient may also note difficulty moving or numbness on either one side or both sides of his body.
Prevention
There are several conditions that increase the risk of a patient suffering a brain stem stroke, and controlling these conditions is the most effective means of prevention. It is important to control high blood pressure with medications and to keep blood sugars in the normal range for patients with diabetes. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of having a stroke and taking medication for high cholesterol can also help.
Treatment
Once symptoms of a brain stem stroke have occurred, there are sometimes treatment options that can reverse these symptoms. If the patient presents to a hospital within three hours of the onset of symptoms and does not have any contraindications, a medication called tissue plasminogen activator that helps to break up blood clots can be used. In other cases, a procedure to remove the blood clot can be used if the patient presents to a hospital within nine hours of the onset of symptoms. This procedure can be risky and must be performed by a specialist.
Warning
The most important thing to do if a patient notes the symptoms of a brain stem stroke is to go to the hospital immediately. The sooner the patient comes to the hospital, the more likely it is that treatment will be available to restore oxygen to the affected area of the brain. If a patient does suffer a brain stem stroke, remember that with physical therapy and rehabilitation some symptoms often resolve over time.
