Seizures and Stroke have been a readily recurrent disease in everyday life, especially when it comes to battling with stress or anxiety at a higher level. Both of them are majorly visible in the age group above 55 years, but it’s necessary to analyze that urban areas have a major increase in Strokes and Seizure as compare to rural areas because of rapid paced lifestyle and disarticulation with nature, organic living. People often confuse themselves between Seizure and stroke and end up receiving a diagnosis when it’s too late for them. There is a very fine line existing between both of these diseases and an understanding that both have their own signs and symptoms is essential for a timely Diagnosis.
What is a Stroke?
Stroke is referred to as a Cerebrovascular disease which takes place when there is a blockage in arteries or one might say, the blood vessels which are responsible for supplying oxygen to the brain get affected due to formation of clots. Which doesn’t allow the supply of oxygen to reach brain and this causes the cells to die resulting in the inability of the parts of the brain to function properly and effecting the motor skills. This disease has become one of the many prevalent reasons amongst pre-mature deaths, especially in low and middle-income group of people. Stroke signals towards immediate medical attention, doing otherwise will probably cause disability or death.
Strokes are categorized into: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic wherein the prior Stroke leads to narrowing of arteries and forming a blockage therein, restricting the oxygen supply to the blood. Hence, becoming a reason for stroke. A mini-Ischemic or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a temporary stroke which could last from 1-2.5 hours of duration and might not affect the functioning of the body or brain much but requires a diagnosis immediately as well. The doctors are often of the opinion to prescribe blood thinner medications or injecting with what is known as, TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) which would help in the smooth flow of the blood vessel through the arteries on the side of the neck and delivering enough supply of oxygen to the brain.
The latter category of Stroke (Hemorrhagic) could attempt to show very violent and strong symptoms at an early period beginning from severe headache. This occurs when the blood starts to leak due to any aneurysm/ vein bursting inside the brain and the flow of blood stops from the exact place the artery got disrupted. There could be many medical conditions leading to leakage of blood inside the brain and causing Hemorrhage. Since this blood leakage is an occurrence due to increase in pressure on the brain, this might be the resultant factor in people suffering from high blood pressure and are medically prescribed with treatment enabling to lower this pressure.
In both cases, a professional would always begin with asking for an imaging or what is commonly known as CT Scans or MRIs and based on which would reach out to a conclusion. But an emergency situation would always show certain signs which must not be neglected and call for an early attention.
What is a Seizure?
A seizure is caused by a sudden chemical transformation inside the body which leads to an unforeseen electric activity inside the brain. The neurons in the brain send and receive electrical impulses which make for the brain cells possible to communicate, seizure occurs when this communication gets disrupted. A seizure takes place in phases which makes identification of a coming seizure somewhat possible in an individual. It begins with:
Phase I Aura: The warning stage of nearby occurrence of Seizure which indicates itself via signs such as, Dizziness, distorted or hazy vision, Numbness or pinching sensations on parts of the body, headache, Nausea, Panic, odd kind of smells and hearing of unclear distorted sounds, intense fear etc. This could last for a smaller period of time which would be for a couple of minutes. Experts are also of the opinion that these signs might not necessarily mean that an individual is likely to have a seizure but could only have Partial Seizure. So, it’s better to reach out at an early stage and look for a safe place for your seizures to occur.
Phase II Ictal: This stage is where the seizure starts to proceed and take place wherein intense electric changes starts to occur inside the body and a person might feel certain things which no other normal or healthy person could feel. But the physical activity of an individual would definitely indicate towards a beginning of a seizure. An individual might show signs such as drooling, hallucinations, flashing lights, buzzing sound in the ear, may or may not losing consciousness, Trouble hearing, memory lapse, losing muscle control, racing heart, trouble in breathing, repetition in movements (walking or lip smacking) etc.
Phase III Postictal: This stage is the after-affects of the seizure (Ictal phase) and the brain starts to feel itself again wherein it all depends on how severe the seizure was and some might start to feel better quickly while others continue to feel signs like, trouble in walking or writing, loss of bladder control, continue to feeling confused, upset stomach etc.
Seizures could be Grand Mal (Tonic-Clonic Seizure), which is the most astonishing kind of Seizure and is prevalent in the patients of Epilepsy who have recurrent tendency to experience seizures leading to often and abrupt blackouts, also the stiffening and Shaking of body. Seizures are also visible in the patients who have experienced a major stroke in near future, but its not necessary of the seizure to occur just after the disease but is likely has been witnessed to occur after recovery in few months or a year. The diagnosis may require you to try out various medications at first depending upon the kind of Seizure one is experiencing and what the medical expert prescribes you with.
If one is near a person experiencing seizure, try not to touch them unless they are near water or might hit their head hard somewhere. Make sure they are in cautious and safe place and let the seizure take place. Make sure to call a doctor immediately if someone pregnant is experiencing a seizure or are unable to breathe even after the seizure has taken place.
A seizure might also be the resultant factor of a person with high blood pressure and had experienced Hemorrhagic Stroke in the past but that does not mean they both are related to each other and to understand this one must also understand the difference in symptoms of Stroke and Seizure.
Differentiating between Signs of Stroke and Seizure
- Numbness on one side of the body in Stroke whereas, Feeling numb in any body part during Seizure.
- Incoherent speech during Stroke whereas, distorted visions and hearing during Seizure
- Repetitive actions during Seizure whereas, facial drooping during Stroke
- Temporary Paralysis during Seizure whereas, a stroke might lead to a permanent disability in an individual leading to a permanent paralysis on any one side of the body.
- Sudden lack of coordination during Stroke whereas, memory loss during Seizure.
- Seizure can also be the reason for a past occurred Brain injury whereas, Stroke is basically a Carotid Artery Disease.
- Stroke is the result of High Cholesterol level.
Certain signs which are similar and could lead to confusion
- High Blood Pressure
- Family Hereditary (Epilepsy, in case of Seizure)
- Trouble in Walking
- Diabetic Patients
- Loss of Consciousness or Awareness
- Anxiety
How both of them could be Prevented?
- Avoid using Florescent lights at your homes
- Have a proper sleep cycle
- Add Yoga and meditation to your Routine
- Try various anxiety and stress Management programs or workshops
- Quit smoking and excessive consumption of Alcohol
- Try to follow a diet which helps in reduction of cholesterol level such as, Whole Grains- Oats and Barley, Nuts, Eggplant and Okra, Fiber Supplements, Fatty Fish etc.
