The most important reason for the occlusion or narrowing of the carotid artery, which carries a large part of the blood that our brain needs, is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that affects not only our jugular vein, but also other veins in our body.
The wall of the carotid artery is flexible and its inner surface is smooth. However, due to high blood cholesterol level and smoking, substances such as fat, lime and cholesterol begin to accumulate on the wall of the carotid artery. The accumulation of these substances causes a thick layer of lime to form on the wall of the carotid artery. The lime layer, which causes hardening of the vein, can also cause a decrease in blood flow. If the blood flow in the jugular vein falls below the critical level, it can cause the brain to be undernourished and concomitant with conditions such as stroke.
Stroke symptoms as a result of carotid artery stenosis-Occlusion
Carotid artery stenosis is a serious condition that can cause stroke. The first reason for this is the complete blockage of the vessel due to the lime layer and the cessation of blood flow to the brain. Clots may form on this lime layer, which also occurs in the carotid artery, and this may prevent blood flow to the brain. In addition, sudden blockages and stroke may occur as small pieces of lime break off from the calcification layer and these pieces escape into the thin brain vessel with the blood flow.
Carotid artery occlusion may not show symptoms until the vessel diameter is severely narrowed. When this narrowing reaches a critical level, the blood needed by the brain cannot be met and a “transient ischemic attack”, that is, a stroke, may occur. The symptoms of a temporary ischemic attack are as follows:
– Numbness in the arm, leg and face
– Loss of strength in the arm, leg or body
– Half-face paralysis,
– Vision loss or blurred vision
– Difficulty speaking,
– Inability to understand spoken words,
– Dizziness,
– Loss of consciousness,
This temporary stroke is a warning. It warns the patient of an approaching more permanent stroke. If the carotid artery stenosis causing this condition cannot be treated correctly, it is usual for the patient to experience permanent ischemia, that is, stroke/stroke.
Doc. Dr. Halit Yerebakan
