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Strokesaurus

Word Definition

Acupuncture

Chinese medicine treatment in which thin metal needles are inserted into selected points beneath the skin. The needles may be stimulated either by rotation or by an electric current and are then removed. 


For similar information see Rehabilitation

Acupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine.

It uses small needles.

They are put into your skin.


See Rehabilitation

Acute Care

Short-term treatment, usually in hospital, for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery.


For similar information see What to expect in the first few days

Acute care is for people who are very sick in hospital. 

You will only stay in acute care for a short time.

When you get better, you will be moved out of acute care.


See What to expect in the first few days

Acute Stroke

The acute stage of stroke starts at the onset of symptoms and includes the first few hours.


For similar information see Types of stroke

The acute stage of a stroke is at the beginning. 

It starts when you first feel sick. 

It lasts for a few hours.

It is the most important time to get help.


See Types of stroke

Aged Care

Aged care services are available to people over 65 years and can be provided at home or in an aged care home if required.


For similar information see Moving into residential care

Aged care is for people over 65 years.

It can be given at home.

It can also be given in an aged care home.


See Moving into residential care

Agnosia

Impaired ability to recognise or comprehend the meaning of objects and to process sensory information.


For similar information see Sensory changes

Agnosia is when you don’t understand what you see. 

You might have trouble knowing what things mean. 

You can find it hard to recognise everyday things. 

Agraphia

Impaired ability to write.


For similar information see Speech and language

Agraphia is when you have trouble writing.


See Speech and language

Alexia

Impaired ability to read.


For similar information see Speech and language

Alexia is when you have trouble reading.


See Speech and language

Allied Health Professional

Allied health professionals include physiotherapists, speech pathologists, podiatrists, dietitians, social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists. Along with doctors and nurses, they make up multidisciplinary teams.


For similar information see Who will be involved in my care

Allied health professionals are types of health workers.

They will help you get better. 

They work in a team, along with doctors and nurses. 

Allied health professionals include: 

  • Physiotherapists 
  • Speech pathologists 
  • Podiatrists 
  • Dietitians 
  • Social workers 
  • Psychologists 
  • Occupational therapists. 

See Who will be involved in my care

Amnesia

Loss of memory.


For similar information see Brain and Cognitive

Amnesia is when you lose your memory.


See Brain and Cognitive

Amusia

Difficulty telling the difference between musical tones. Also known as tone-deafness.

Some people have trouble with music.

They cannot tell notes apart.

They may be called tone deaf.

Aneurysm

Weak or thin spot on a blood vessel wall. The bursting of an aneurysm in a brain artery causes a haemorrhagic stroke.


For similar information see Types of stroke

An aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel.

Blood vessels carry blood around your body. 

An aneurysm can burst. 

If an aneurysm bursts in your brain, you can have a stroke. 

This type of stroke is called a haemorrhagic stroke.


See Types of stroke

Angiogram

X-ray test where dye is injected into the arteries. This provides pictures of the arteries to show up any blockages.


For similar information see Procedures

An angiogram is a type of medical test. 

The doctors inject you with a special dye. 

Then they take an X-ray picture. 

They can see the dye on the X-ray. 

This shows if your arteries are blocked. 


See Procedures

Angioplasty

Surgical technique for restoring normal blood flow through an artery narrowed or blocked by atherosclerosis. It is done by either by inserting a balloon into the narrowed section and inflating it, or by using a laser beam.


For similar information see Procedures

Angioplasty is a type of surgery. 

Doctors use it when you have a blocked artery.

They try to open the artery so blood can flow through it. 

They can do this by inflating a small balloon inside the artery. 

They can also use lasers. 


See Procedures

Anoxia

Also known as hypoxia. Lack of of oxygen delivery to a cell, resulting in low energy production and possible cell  death.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Anoxia is when oxygen can’t get to a cell. 

All cells in your body need oxygen to live. 

This can cause the cell to die. 


See Types of stroke

Anticoagulants

A type of blood thinning medication, to stop the blood from forming clots. Common anticoagulants include Heparin, Warfarin, Dabigatran, Apixaban and Rivaroxaban.


For similar information see Prevention

Anticoagulants are a type of medicine.

They make your blood thinner. 

This stops the blood forming clots.

Blood clots can cause a stroke. 

Some anticoagulants are:

  • Heparin 
  • Warfarin 
  • Dabigatran 
  • Apixaban 
  • Rivaroxaban


See Prevention

Antiemetic

Medication to stop nausea or vomiting.


For similar information see Procedures

Antiemetic is a type of medicine. 

It stops you feeling like you want to vomit. 

It can also stop you from vomiting. 


See Procedures

Antiplatelet agents

Also known as platelet aggregation inhibitors.  A type of blood thinning medication, to stop tiny blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming a blood clot. Common antiplatelets include aspirin, clopidogrel or a combination of Aspirin and dipyridamole.

 

For similar information see Prevention

Antiplatelet agents are a type of medicine.

They are used to thin your blood. 

They stop platelets in your blood from sticking together. 

This stops blood clots forming. 

Some antiplatelet agents are:

  • Aspirin 
  • Clopidogrel
  • Aspirin and dipyridamole taken together.

This type of medicine is also called platelet aggregation inhibitors.

 

See Prevention

Antithrombotics

Also known as blood thinners. There are two classes of antithrombotic drugs: anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.


For similar information see Prevention

Antithrombotics are a type of medicine. 

They are used to thin your blood.

There are two kinds: anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.


See Prevention

Antitussive

Medication to relieve coughing.


For similar information see Procedures

Antitussive is a type of medicine. 

It helps you stop coughing. 


See Procedures

Aphagia

Impaired ability to swallow.


For similar information see Swallowing

Aphagia is when you have trouble swallowing.


See Swallowing

Aphasia

Also known as dysphasia. Impaired ability to talk, read, write or understand others when they speak.


For similar information see Speech and language

Aphasia is when you have trouble with language.

This includes talking, reading and writing.

It also includes understanding what other people say.

It is also called dysphasia.

 

See Speech and language

Aphonia

Inability to make any sound, due to weakness or paralysis in the muscles in and around the vocal cords. If you can make a sound but your voice is weak, hoarse or rough, it is called dysphonia.

 

For similar information see Speech and language

Aphonia is a problem with the muscles in around your vocal cords.

The vocal cord muscles are weak or paralysed.

You cannot make any sound at all.

If you can make a sound but your voice is weak, it is called dysphonia. 

 

See Speech and language

Apraxia

Also known as dyspraxia. Impaired ability to do a body movement because the brain has difficulty planning that movement.


For similar information see Brain and Cognitive or Arm and hand function or Leg functioning

Apraxia is when you have trouble moving your body. 

It happens when parts of your body won’t work the way you want them to. 

This is also called dyspraxia. 

 

See Brain and Cognitive or Arm and hand function or Leg functioning

Arrhythmia

Also known as dysrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmia is any of a group of conditions in which the electrical activity of the heart is irregular, faster or slower than normal.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Arrhythmia is when you have problems with your heartbeat. 

Your heart might beat too fast or too slow. 

It might not beat in a steady pattern. 

This is also called dysrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. 


See Types of stroke

Arterial Dissection

A tearing in the wall of an artery.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Arterial dissection is when you have a hole in an artery.


See Types of stroke

Arterial Ischaemic Stroke

Also known as ischaemic stroke. Stroke caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery and cuts off blood flow.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Arterial ischaemic stroke is a type of stroke. 

It happens when a blood clot blocks an artery. 

This stops blood from flowing to a part of your brain. 


See Types of stroke

Arteriography

An X-ray of the carotid artery taken when a special dye is injected into the artery.


For similar information see Procedures

Arteriography is a type of medical test. 

Doctors inject you with a special dye. 

Then they take an X-ray picture. 

They can see the dye on the X-ray. 

This shows if your arteries are blocked.


See Procedures

Arteriovenous Malformation

Also known as an AVM. This is a tangled mass of blood vessels. This malformation can occur anywhere in the body including the brain.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is when blood vessels get tangled.

AVM usually happens before you are born or soon after.

AVM can happen in the brain.

 

See Types of stroke

Artery

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.


For similar information see Types of stroke

An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.


See Types of stroke

Aspiration

Food, fluid or saliva goes into the windpipe and lungs, instead of into the stomach.


For similar information see Swallowing

Aspiration is when food or drink goes down the wrong way. 

It gets into your windpipe and lungs, instead of your stomach.


See Swallowing

Aspirin

Used as a blood thinning medication, to stop platelets from sticking together.


For similar information see Procedures

Aspirin is a blood-thinning medication. 

It stops platelets sticking together.

This helps stop blood clots forming. 


See Procedures

Ataxia

Impaired ability to coordinate muscle movement.


For similar information see Arm and hand function or Leg functioning

Ataxia is when you have trouble moving. 

It happens when you can’t control your muscles.


See Arm and hand function or Leg functioning

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a type of disease. 

Plaques are sticky deposits that get stuck on the walls of your arteries. 

Your arteries get narrower and this blocks the flow of blood.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Atherosclerosis is a type of disease. 

Plaques are sticky deposits that get stuck on the walls of your arteries. 

Your arteries get narrower and this blocks the flow of blood.


See Types of stroke

Atrial fibrillation

A heart disorder where the heart beats irregularly. Sometimes the heart may also beat too quickly.


For similar information see Types of stroke

Atrial fibrillation is a problem with your heart. 

Sometimes your heart beats too quickly. 

Your heart may not beat in a steady pattern. 

 

See Types of stroke