Focal ischemia occurs when blood flow is blocked to an organ, often due to plaque formation in blood vessels. In the brain, this can cause an ischemic stroke, which can lead to paralysis, blindness, and speech impairment. Seeking medical intervention quickly can prevent further damage. Treatment may involve clot-dissolving medication or surgery, followed by anticoagulant and physical therapy.
Focal ischemia generally involves the cessation of blood, oxygen, and nutrient circulation to a particular region of an organ when an arterial vessel becomes blocked by a blood clot. The condition can occur anywhere on the body. When blockages occur in the brain, doctors commonly refer to the condition as an ischemic stroke. The physical symptoms associated with strokes occur due to immediate blockage and possible extensive damage. The sooner individuals seek the diagnosis and physicians locate the focal ischemic lesion, the better the chance of preventing further damage or reversing symptoms.
Plaque formation can contribute to the likelihood of focal ischemia, as the condition typically narrows blood vessels. When blood flows through these narrowed passageways, circulation slows down and can cause blood cells to clump together and form clots. Over time, the clot becomes large enough to completely block blood vessels, resulting in an ischemic stroke. Blood clots could also form in other parts of the body, including the heart. The clots then travel through the bloodstream to the brain.
Once completely blocked, or occluded, chemical reactions occur causing cellular damage and deterioration. Electrical impulses and cellular communications cease. Focal ischemia also disrupts the regulation of the sodium/potassium pump, leading to extracellular spaces filling with potassium, producing swelling. The intracellular spaces fill up with calcium and sodium. The intracellular endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria release more calcium into the cell.
The cell rapidly consumes existing glucose and oxygen-producing lactic acid waste, which damaged cells cannot eliminate. Waste products can lead to the breakdown of lipids and subsequent destruction of the cell membrane. Within 24 hours of the event, the cells die. The cumulative pressure and possible bleeding in the brain extends the amount of cell damage. When the focal ischemic event occurs, individuals may experience severe headache, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.
Victims of focal ischemia typically show drooping on one side of the face. The paralysis can extend to the entire side of the body, inhibiting balance and immobility. Visual fields can be partially blocked or produce total blindness. While cognitive ability may remain the same, speech may be slurred or incoherent. Although patients cognitively know what they want to say, the damaged speech center can no longer associate the thought with the appropriate words.
Statistics indicate that 80-85% of strokes are caused by ischemic conditions. When symptoms occur, doctors advise people to seek medical intervention as quickly as possible. Doctors typically use vascular imaging studies to pinpoint the area of focal ischemia. Treatment may involve the use of clot-dissolving medications or surgical removal of the clot. Follow-up treatment may involve continuation of anticoagulant and physical therapy.
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