What is Cerebrovascular Disease Or Cerebral Vascular Disease Or Stroke?

The sudden interest in the topic of Cerebrovascular disease also known as Cerebral Vascular Disease has been generated due to the death of a prominent celebrity, Walter Cronkite (92 years old), who had anchored the CBS news for 19 years, died recently of this ailment. He apparently had been ill a long time. 

So, what exactly is this Cerebrovascular disease or Cerebral Vascular Disease and how does it occur? What is a stroke and how is it related to a cerebrovascular disease?

According to the Medical Dictionary a Cerebrovascular Disease is defined as "disease of the blood vessels and, especially, the arteries that supply the brain. Cerebrovascular disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis and can lead to a stroke."

To explain this in simple terms, a Cerebrovascular disease can be caused due to any disease that affects the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the brain. The most common disease being atherosclerosis which is caused due to fatty deposits (plaques) in the arterial wall which in turn causes narrowing of the arteries.

What is a stroke?

According to medical definitions: "A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to die. When blood flow to the brain is impaired, oxygen and glucose cannot be delivered to the brain. Blood flow can be compromised by a variety of mechanisms."

A stroke occurs when there is either a blockage of an artery or arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, or a rupture of the artery or arteries due to any reason. Let us examine the reasons that could cause either of the two conditions.

The main reason for the blockage of arteries is given in the above paragraph, namely atheroscerosis.

Another factor that could cause a blockage in the artery or arteries is a blood clot, also known as Thrombosis. In this situation, the blood clots usually occur in the heart and parts of that blood clot then break off and travel (embolize) to the arteries in the brain and cause a stroke. This condition is known as Embolism which can cause Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) in the brain leading to a loss of brain function in one area.

The rupture of an artery causes hemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain and is known as Cerebral hemorrhage.

The most common condition that can cause bleeding within the brain is an uncontrolled High Blood Pressure.

A second condition that could affect the arteries is a defect or weakness in a blood vessel causing it to expand or balloon out is known as an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in which there is an abnormal collection of blood vessels that are fragile and can cause bleeding.

A stroke can occur suddenly at any time causing the person to become unconscious and is a medical emergency that needs prompt attention. A person who suffers from a stroke will have loss of oxygen, blood or even bleeding in the brain which can cause severe brain damage within a few minutes (3-4) and therefore it is very important that the person should be taken to the hospital ASAP.

Kindle DX: Amazon's 9.7" Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) Buy Online NOW

Kindle DX is Amazon’s Newest Addition to the Kindle Family and is Now Available to Order online.

Kindle DX: Amazon's 9.7" Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) has a beautiful large screen and its display is ideal for a broad range of reading material, including graphic-rich books, PDFs, newspapers, magazines and blogs.

The difference between display of Kindle DX is that it is two and a half times the size of the Kindle and the text and images are much sharper too when viewed on the 9.7 inch screen.

What people will love about this product is its sleek just over 1/3 of an inch, trim and thin body like a magazine which is easy to hold and fits just perfectly in your hands. The Kindle DX can hold up to 3,500 books by virtue of its native PDF support which allows you to carry your personal library wherever you go. The latest feature that has been added is the Auto-Rotating Screen which changes from portrait to landscape mode as you turn the device so you can view full-width maps, graphs, tables, and Web pages.

The Kindle DX has a wireless technology that lets you download books from your device anytime and anywhere with no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. 

This device also boasts of a long Battery Life which allows you to read for days without the need for recharging. 

The Kindle DX has a "Read-to-me" feature which converts the text-to-speech and so now you can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you or your children (bedtime stories) unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable!

The most attractive thing about getting a Kindle DX is the fact that there is a huge collection of books, newspapers, magazines (Over 300,000 books) now available at real LOW Prices $9.99 only unless marked otherwise.

Click Here to see the complete details of the features of the Kindle DX, its comparison with the Kindle, Watch a Video Demonstration of Kindle, See What Customers Have to Say, The Kindle Store: Over 300,000 Books, Plus Newspapers, Magazines, and Blogs. You can also check out some of the New York Times Best Sellers and most new releases that are available for just $9.99: See most popular titles. Accessories Designed for Kindle (6" Screen) and the second generation product.

How To Create Your Own Ring At Amazon.com

Amazon has made it very easy for customers to create their own ring now by opening a Create Your Own Ring store that explains in great details about engagement rings, certified loose diamonds, and more.

Amazon has made this task easier and much simpler by adding a Create Your Own Ring Tool that helps you to customize and build the perfect engagement ring in three simple steps. But why should you buy diamond jewelry from Amazon? The reason for doing so is pretty simple as enumerated below:

1. Buying from Amazon will save you lots of money that you would otherwise have to pay as "overheads" when buying from a proper shop. 

2. Customers can choose, build and create their product at their own leisure and comfort of their own home.

3. You can first study and educate yourself about all the precious stones with all the extensive information given at this site.

4. You can be assured that all the diamonds are highly graded and certified by trained gemologist. The diamonds are also certified conflict-free in accordance with the Kimberly Process and so the customers can buy with a clear conscience.

5. When you buy from Amazon, a name that can be trusted for online purchases, you can be sure the ring will be covered by Amazon’s proven returns policy. 

How to Create Your Own Ring: Step By Step Guide

1. Pick your diamond: It is very simple to create your own ring using the tool provided. Open the page Create Your Own Ring and you will see a set of sliding bars to help you narrow your choices and select your diamond. Pick the diamond shape that you like. You can further refine your search by adjusting the sliders to set a range for price, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. Once you have done this, click “see results” to view all the diamonds that match your criteria, at any point in the process.

2. Select a setting: Now that you have selected the diamond you want you can move to the next step that is to choose the setting. This helps you to narrow your choices to a particular style of setting or a specific metal type. From solitaires to side-stones, from platinum to sterling silver, find the perfect setting for your diamond. You will be able to see the images of how your diamond looks mounted in the settings. 

3. Add To Cart: Once you have chosen the particular setting you like, you can then select the size of the ring and you are ready to order.

What's more, all during the process of creating the ring you have the option of calling an expert with questions you may have regarding the diamonds. The diamond experts are on call Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time at a toll free number provided. Or you can also have them call you.

Now isn't that cool? Go on create your own engagement or anniversary or wedding ring and make it unique.

Heart Attack Vs Cardiac Arrest - What's The Difference?

Image Source : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diagram_of_the_human_heart_(cropped).svg

The recent sudden death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson has been attributed to a cardiac arrest. However, the cause of the cardiac arrest has not been ascertained as yet. His death continues to be shrouded in mystery. It is only after the autopsy report is out that more light may be shed on the matter. His death has aroused a general curiosity among the populace as to the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack, confusing one with the other.

Both the terms have been interchanged by people and media often causing them to get mixed up. However, a cardiac arrest is NOT the same as a heart attack. So, what is the difference between the two terms? 

Heart Attack:

To put it simply, the heart muscles get weak and damaged when there is "inadequate supply of oxygen" to it from its arteries. This occurs due to a blockage in the blood vessel causing the flow of blood to be decreased and therefore weakening the heart muscle. The weakened heart muscles cannot pump sufficient blood out and may stop pumping altogether. This condition occurs slowly over a period of time and the person may experience occasional chest pains until finally it collapses one day leading to a heart attack. A heart attack is always characterized by severe chest pain. In medical terms it is also referred to as a Myocardial Infarction.

Read about Heart Attack Warning Signs. A heart attack needs prompt first aid treatment in the form of a CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and taken to the hospital as soon as possible to revive the heart.

Cardiac Arrest:

Also known as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest". The heart is an "electrical" Pump, which means that it requires electrical impulses to its "valves" to be able to regulate the flow of blood from one chamber to another and out. When this electrical circuit is disrupted or there is a sudden "short circuit" then the heart stops suddenly causing an "arrest". This condition causes a sudden drop in the blood pressure and blood is no longer forced into the muscles and organs of the body. This condition is known as "ventricular fibrillation" and is the most common reason for sudden death in patients. What is important in identifying this condition accurately is the fact that the brain is deprived of oxygen when there is a cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation, and if this oxygen deprivation lasts more than 3-4 minutes, it could cause death or even a state of coma. Prompt treatment WITHIN 3-6 Minutes in the form of "External or Internal Defirillation" or giving an electrical shock to the heart muscles is called for. If there is no defibrillator close by then CPR can be started and continued till the Ambulance arrives.

Read details about the causes, warning signs, risk factors and treatment of this condition here.

It is important to note that a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest. Therefore it is very important to GET HELP(call the ambulance) immediately, specially if a person collapses and stops breathing suddenly in front of you without any warning or signs of chest pain. Treat such cases as a cardiac arrest and begin to administer CPR.

Note: One should also differentiate between the terms Angina and Heart Attack. Angina is a symptom of "Coronary Heart Disease" or CHD also characterized by blocking of the coronary artery causing atherosclerosis. 

"Angina pectoris (or simply angina) is recurring chest pain or discomfort that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen." 

This pain is similar to the one that occurs in a heart attack, the only difference being that the pain in case of Angina goes away after a few minutes.