A stroke is a serious medical emergency that can cause lasting brain damage, disability, or even death. Recognizing the different types of strokes and their warning signs is critical for timely and accurate diagnosis.
Unfortunately, stroke misdiagnosis can lead to delayed treatment and severe consequences. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a misdiagnosed stroke or delayed treatment, it’s important to seek experienced legal help. With over 30 years of experience in medical malpractice cases, the Michigan stroke misdiagnosis lawyers at Lipton Law stand ready to help. We’re prepared to evaluate your case and seek justice on your behalf.
Call (248) 557-1688 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke is often described as a “brain attack,” mirroring a heart attack but affecting the brain. It occurs when a blocked artery or other issue disrupts the blood supply to an area of the brain. This blockage stops essential nutrients and oxygen from reaching brain tissue, which can cause cells to die.
Emergency medical care is necessary to minimize damage and improve outcomes. If you believe that a stroke was improperly managed or misdiagnosed, a Southfield medical malpractice attorney can assist you in pursuing justice.
What Causes a Stroke?
Strokes happen when oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain is interrupted, usually due to blood clots or damaged blood vessels.
Several health problems and lifestyle factors can increase the risk of a stroke. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar are significant risk factors that can damage blood vessels and lead to blockages. Heart disease and other health concerns further compound the likelihood of a stroke.
Lifestyle choices such as a diet high in saturated fats, lack of physical activity, and the use of illegal drugs/recreational drug use also elevate stroke risk.
Adopting a healthy diet and managing these risk factors is essential to reducing the chances of experiencing a stroke.
What Are the Different Types of Strokes?
Most strokes are divided into two main categories: ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes.
Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes and occur when a blockage obstructs blood flow to the brain, potentially leading to permanent brain damage if not immediately addressed.
Hemorrhagic strokes, which are less common, happen when there is bleeding inside the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel, also disrupting blood flow and causing brain damage.
Understanding these stroke types is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term consequences.
Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blockage in the carotid arteries or other blood vessels disrupts blood flow to the head, and brain cells start dying rapidly.
Thrombotic strokes are one of the most common types of ischemic stroke. They are caused by blood clots that form due to fatty deposits in the arteries.
Immediate stroke treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or blood thinners is essential to restore blood flow and minimize brain damage during a thrombotic stroke.
If you suffered due to a delay in diagnosis or medical treatment, a delayed diagnosis lawyer in Southfield can help by investigating the medical negligence, gathering evidence, and pursuing compensation for the harm caused by the delayed treatment.
Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic Stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blockage in the carotid artery or other blood vessels restricts blood flow to the brain. The lack of oxygen-rich blood can then cause brain cells to start dying rapidly.
A hemorrhagic stroke happens when small blood vessels in the brain rupture, leading to bleeding within the brain tissue. This bleeding can cause severe headaches and further damage brain cells.
Both types of stroke require immediate medical attention, but the specific treatments for each stroke depend on their underlying causes.
Ischemic Stroke Symptoms
The symptoms of an ischemic stroke serve as a warning sign for a serious medical emergency. They include trouble speaking, such as slurred speech or difficulty finding the right words, and trouble walking. This may manifest as sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty coordinating movements.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the surrounding tissues. This can happen due to various factors. Some include high blood pressure, arteriovenous malformation (an abnormal tangle of blood vessels), and a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
If a healthcare provider fails to diagnose this condition right away, leading to worsened outcomes or harm, consulting with a failure to diagnose attorney in Southfield may be advisable to explore legal options for seeking compensation.
Hemorrhagic Stroke Symptoms
Symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke can include a sudden and severe headache, often described as the worst headache of one’s life. Other symptoms may include double vision, trouble talking, and weakness in one arm or leg, usually on one side of the body.
TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) Stroke
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke,” occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. This interruption is typically caused by a small blood clot blocking a blood vessel.
TIAs usually resolve within minutes to hours. However, they are warning signs of a potential future stroke and should be taken seriously. People with a medical history of atrial fibrillation have a high risk of experiencing transient ischemic attacks. This is because an irregular heartbeat can cause blood clots to form in the heart, which can then travel to the brain and block blood flow. The life expectancy after a mini-stroke can also vary depending on the patient’s age at the time of the attack.
TIA Stroke Symptoms
The symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) occur suddenly and mirror those of a full stroke, though they typically last only a few minutes to hours.
Since the brain controls various bodily functions, a TIA can cause various symptoms depending on the affected area. Common signs include sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, sudden vision problems in one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and a severe headache.
Embolic Stroke
Embolic strokes occur when a blood clot formed elsewhere in the body travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a brain artery, blocking blood flow and causing a stroke. This type of stroke can lead to significant brain damage or even death if not treated promptly.
In cases where wrongful death due to medical negligence is suspected, such as failure to diagnose or treat the stroke in a timely manner, legal action may be necessary to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek justice for the affected family.
Embolic Stroke Symptoms
Embolic stroke symptoms typically include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, and a sudden, severe headache.
Lacunar Stroke
A lacunar stroke happens when one of the small arteries that provide blood to the brain’s deep structures becomes blocked, reducing blood flow. This type of stroke typically affects small, deep regions of the brain.
Although they are usually less severe than other types of strokes, lacunar strokes can still cause significant damage and require prompt medical attention to prevent further problems.
Lacunar Stroke Symptoms
Lacunar strokes can result in symptoms like sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, difficulty with movement or coordination, and problems with speech or vision.
Thalamic Stroke
A thalamic stroke is caused by an interruption in the blood supply to the thalamus, a brain structure that processes sensory and motor signals. This can occur due to the blockage of small blood vessels within the brain. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol can contribute to the narrowing and hardening of arteries, leading to blockages. Blood clots that travel from other parts of the body can also lodge in these vessels, cutting off blood flow.
Thalamic Stroke Symptoms
Common symptoms of a thalamic stroke include weakness or numbness of the extremities and sensory disturbances such as tingling, pain, or loss of sensation.
Patients may also experience difficulty with movement and coordination, speech and language problems, and vision changes. In some cases, a thalamic stroke can lead to cognitive impairments, memory problems, or changes in alertness and consciousness.
Cryptogenic Stroke
A cryptogenic stroke is a type of stroke with no identifiable cause. This term is used when standard diagnostic tests, such as imaging and blood tests, fail to reveal a clear source of the stroke.
Potential underlying causes might include undiagnosed heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, which can lead to blood clots traveling to the brain or structural abnormalities in the heart or blood vessels. Other possible factors could be undetected blood clotting disorders or silent, small-artery diseases.
Cryptogenic Stroke Symptoms
The warning signs of a cryptogenic stroke are similar to any other type of stroke. Common symptoms are sudden weakness or loss of feeling in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, difficulty speaking, and trouble with vision. Other symptoms may include dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and a severe headache with no known cause.
Brain Stem Stroke
In ischemic brain stem strokes, a blood clot or plaque buildup blocks one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain stem. This can result from conditions such as atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries), atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), or other heart conditions that lead to clot formation.
Hemorrhagic brain stem strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain stem ruptures, leading to bleeding in the surrounding tissue. Common causes include high blood pressure, which can weaken blood vessel walls over time, aneurysms (abnormal bulges in blood vessels that can burst), or arteriovenous malformations (tangled blood vessels that can rupture).
Both types of brain stem strokes disrupt the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain stem, damaging this critical area that controls essential bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and swallowing.
Brain Stem Stroke Symptoms
The symptoms of a brain stem stroke include sudden dizziness or vertigo, trouble with coordination or a loss of balance, and difficulty walking. Patients may also experience double vision, loss of vision, slurred speech, or difficulty swallowing. Weakness or numbness can occur in the face, arms, or legs, often affecting both sides of the body. Other symptoms include impaired consciousness, facial drooping, and irregular breathing patterns.
MCA (Middle Cerebral Artery) Stroke
An MCA (middle cerebral artery) stroke occurs when the middle cerebral artery, one of the brain’s major arteries, becomes blocked or ruptures, disrupting blood flow to a large portion of the brain.
This can happen due to an ischemic event, where a blood clot forms in the artery itself or travels from another part of the body. A hemorrhagic event can also cause an MCA stroke if a blood vessel bursts.
Both scenarios lead to the deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue, resulting in cell death and significant neurological impairments.
MCA Stroke Symptoms
The middle cerebral artery supplies blood to critical areas of the brain responsible for movement, sensation, and speech. Therefore, a stroke in this artery can include significant neurological symptoms. Common symptoms are sudden weakness or loss of feeling in the face, arms, or legs and facial drooping. Speech difficulties, vision problems, and trouble walking are also common. Cognitive impairments, confusion, and sudden severe headaches can also be symptoms of an MCA stroke.
Spinal Stroke
A spinal stroke happens when the blood supply to the spinal cord is disrupted, leading to a sudden loss of function in the spinal cord. This can be caused by a blood clot blocking a spinal artery or a hemorrhagic event, where a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the spinal cord.
Traumatic back and spinal cord injuries, including fractures or dislocations, can also damage blood vessels and disrupt blood flow, increasing the risk of a spinal stroke. Other risk factors include inflammation of blood vessels, spinal cord infections, and certain medical procedures involving the spine.
Spinal Stroke Symptoms
The symptoms of a spinal stroke typically include sudden and severe back pain, often described as a sharp or burning sensation. This pain may be followed by sudden weakness or paralysis in the legs or all four limbs, depending on the level of the spinal cord affected.
Other common symptoms include numbness or loss of sensation, especially in the lower body, and difficulties with coordination and balance. A spinal stroke can also cause bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Mini Stroke
A mini-stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when there is no blood flow to a part of the brain for a short period of time. It is usually caused by a small blood clot blocking a blood vessel. Despite being temporary, a mini-stroke is a warning sign of a potential future stroke.
Mini Stroke Symptoms
Although a mini-stroke resolves within minutes to hours and usually does not cause permanent damage, the symptoms mirror those of a full stroke, including sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, vision problems, and loss of coordination.
Contact the Michigan Stroke Misdiagnosis Lawyers at Lipton Law Today
If you or a loved one has been affected by a stroke misdiagnosis or any other form of medical negligence, the skilled attorneys at Lipton Law are here to help.
With nurses on staff to provide vital medical insight, our law firm is well-equipped to handle your complex medical malpractice case. Our dedicated team has the experience needed to thoroughly investigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (248) 557-1688 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.