Stroke in the basilar artery: Symptoms, remedies, and results

Stroke in the basilar artery: Symptoms, remedies, and results

In the realm of neurological emergencies, basilar artery stroke stands as a significant concern. This article aims to shed light on the long-term complications, treatment options, and rehabilitation needs associated with this condition.

Long-term Complications

A basilar artery stroke can lead to a range of long-term complications. These may include physical impairments such as weakness or paralysis (sometimes total paralysis known as locked-in syndrome), abnormalities in eye movement, difficulties with breathing, swallowing problems leading to unhealthy nutrition, aspiration pneumonia, skin issues due to immobility, risk of deep vein thrombosis, falls related to balance loss, and possible cognitive or neurological deficits.

Rehabilitation Needs

The rehabilitation needs for individuals recovering from a basilar artery stroke are significant and multidisciplinary. Physical therapists play a crucial role in helping with balance, gait, wheelchair use, and eye movement problems. Speech-language pathologists may address swallowing issues and communication difficulties. Long-term rehabilitation can extend for months or more, with the most recovery typically occurring in the first few months but possible improvements continuing for years. Psychological support may also be needed due to the risk of post-stroke depression.

Treatment and Prevention

Prompt treatment is crucial in managing a basilar artery stroke. Immediate treatment may include medication to dissolve blood clots, such as alteplase or tenecteplase, or a thrombectomy. Certain lifestyle and dietary changes can prevent a basilar artery stroke or prevent a stroke from recurring. These include eating a Mediterranean diet, avoiding or quitting smoking, limiting or avoiding alcohol, avoiding illegal drugs, maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy BMI, and managing any existing health conditions.

Prevention and Diagnosis

Risk factors for a basilar artery stroke include atherosclerosis, elevated cholesterol or fats in the blood, diabetes, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart disease. To diagnose a basilar artery stroke, doctors may carry out CT scans, CT angiogram of the head and neck area, MRI scan, MRI angiogram, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, blood tests, and carotid ultrasound.

Outlook

The outlook of a basilar artery stroke depends on the severity of the stroke, access to appropriate treatment and care, and prompt treatment. People may need to take aspirin as a doctor instructs and may need to take antiplatelet medication following a basilar artery stroke to prevent blood clots. The length of time people will need to take antiplatelet medications will depend on the cause and type of basilar artery stroke.

It is essential to remember that anyone experiencing symptoms of a basilar artery stroke, such as vertigo, imbalance, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech or difficulty speaking, vision problems, headache, nausea or vomiting, should call 911 immediately. Early and continuous rehabilitation improves outcomes, and with proper treatment, the outlook may be good, with minimal adverse effects.

Sources: [1] Stroke.org [2] Mayo Clinic [3] NHS UK [4] American Stroke Association

1. Despite the significant long-term complications such as vertigo, cognitive or neurological deficits, and physical impairments, early and continuous rehabilitation can improve the outcomes for individuals recovering from a basilar artery stroke.
2. A Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels can potentially prevent a basilar artery stroke or prevent its recurrence, underlining the importance of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise in neurological care.
3. In addition to physical rehabilitation, mental health support may be necessary due to the risk of post-stroke depression, emphasizing the interconnection between mental-health and neurological conditions.
4. As people age, they may be more susceptible to basilar artery stroke due to neurological disorders like atherosclerosis or atrial fibrillation, highlighting the need for regular medical-conditions check-ups and preventative measures.
5. CBD, a promising compound found in cannabis, is being researched as a potential treatment for some neurological disorders, including strokes, but further studies are needed to determine its efficacy and safety for basilar artery stroke recovery.
6. Aspiration pneumonia, skin issues due to immobility, and falls related to balance loss can result from swallowing problems and balance issues, which demonstrate the ripple effect of basilar artery stroke complications on overall health and wellness.

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