Question 1

would a "spinal tap" be needed to follow-up a optic nerve stroke? what would it be looking for?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Depending on the optic nerve issue, spinal tap could look for infectious etiology, increase intracranial pressure issues such as pseudotumor cerebri, check for hemorrhage/ immunoglobulins such as CNS bleeding or ms, or many other issues.  Ask your eye doctor or neurologist for a complete explanation.

Question 2

what organ is most affected by stroke? the heart/circulatory or brain and spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

BRAIN: The term "stroke" refers to an apoplectic event causing brain injury due to acute decrease in blood flow due to a variety of causes.  Although, vascular problems can occur in spinal cord, many neurologists prefer term, "cord infarction", instead of spinal cord stroke.  If it involves heart, we term it a "heart attack" or myocardial infarction. (some docs like "brain attack" label for stroke).

Question 3

what are the causes of a micro stroke?

Accepted Answer

Causes of a stroke: The causes of a mini stroke or TIA are the same as the causes of a regular stroke- high blood pressure, arterial disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking, atrial fibrillation and high cholesterol.

Question 4

what are the likely causes of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Risk factors include: Hypertension, diabetes, high blood fats (especially triglycerides), high homocysteine, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse (especially sympathomimetic amines, like cocaine, speed), trauma (arterial dissection), arteritis or vasculitis (lupus, etc), vascular malformations (aneurysm, avm), emboli(distant blood clots from heart, or paradoxical like pfo), and genetic such as mthfr mutations.

Question 5

what is a stroke? what are the causes of strokes and what are the signs?

Accepted Answer

Most : Most strokes are caused either by blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.  About three quarters of strokes occur when a blood clot closes a blood vessel in the brain; most of the remainder is due to a blood vessel bursting and bleeding into the brain.
Major risk factors for stroke include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder), hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking.  Family history of stroke also increases risk.
Signs of stroke vary.  Common signs are sudden paralysis in one part of the body, such as an arm or leg, drooping of one side of the face, slurred speech, or difficulty speaking.  Headache and vertigo can be signs of stroke, but are much less common.  Sudden onset of "the worst headache of my life" is very worrisome for a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.
If stroke symptoms occur, it's critical to take action quickly.  Stroke symptoms should be treated as a "brain attack", just as urgently as chest pain would be.  Call 911 or go to the closest emergency room without delay.

Question 6

can chemotherapy cause a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Chemo: Stroke isn't common with chemo but can happen. Talk with the oncologist.

Question 7

can having a stroke cause headache?

Accepted Answer

Definitely...: Any form of head or brain trauma can cause headaches. Having said that, since there are so many reasons for headaches that range from caffeine withdrawal to brain tumors. You need to see a physician if over the counter medications are not helping.

Question 8

does hitting your head cause a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Generally no: Typically this will only occur if you tear a major blood vessel which we call a dissection.

Question 9

what is the cause of my spinal tap pain?

Accepted Answer

Spinal tap pain: Sometimes patients have a "spinal headache" following lumbar puncture ("spinal tap") because a small amount of fluid continues to leak from the site. In other patients, pain occurs because bleeding or infection has occured in the area. In any of these cases, it is exceedingly important to report these symptoms to your doctor so that you can be diagnosed and managed appropriately!

Question 10

can mini strokes cause mental impairment?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Multiple small strokes can cause cumulative effects.

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What are the causes of a spinal stroke

A member asked:

Would a "spinal tap" be needed to follow-up a optic nerve stroke? what would it be looking for?

A member asked:

What organ is most affected by stroke? the heart/circulatory or brain and spinal cord?

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What are the causes of a micro stroke?

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What are the likely causes of a stroke?

A member asked:

What is a stroke? what are the causes of strokes and what are the signs?

A member asked:

Can chemotherapy cause a stroke?

A member asked:

Can having a stroke cause headache?

A member asked:

Does hitting your head cause a stroke?

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What is the cause of my spinal tap pain?

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Can mini strokes cause mental impairment?

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