Health Library

The cerebellum is located in the lower part of the brain, towards the back. It plays a role in body movement, eye movement, and balance.

A cerebellar stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply to this area is interrupted. Without oxygen and nutrients from blood, the brain tissue quickly dies. This results in the loss of certain functions. A stroke is a serious condition. It requires emergency care.

Cerebellum

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

There are two main types of stroke:

• Ischemic
• Hemorrhagic

An ischemic stroke (more common) is caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to a region of the brain, which may be due to:

• A clot that forms in another part of the body (eg, heart or neck) breaks off and blocks flow in a blood vessel supplying the brain (embolus)
• A clot that forms in an artery that supplies blood to the brain (thrombus)
• A tear in an artery supplying blood to the brain (arterial dissection)

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a burst blood vessel that results in bleeding in the brain.

Risk factors that you can control or treat include:

• Certain conditions, like:
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries due to plaque build-up)
  • Atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm)
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Blood circulation problems
• Medicines (eg, long-term use of birth control pills )
• Lifestyle factors, such as smoking , physical inactivity, diet high in sodium

Risk factors you cannot control include:

• History of stroke, heart attack , or other type of cardiovascular disease
• History of transient ischemic attack (TIA)—With a TIA (“mini-stroke”), stroke symptoms often resolve within minutes. It may signal a very high risk of having a stroke in the future.
• Age: 60 or older
• Family members who have had a stroke
• Gender: males
• Race: Black, Asian, Hispanic
• Blood disorder that increases clotting

Symptoms of a cerebellar stroke come on suddenly and may include:

• Uncoordinated movements of the limbs or trunk (ataxia)
• Difficulty walking, including problems with balance
• Abnormal reflexes
• Tremors
• Vertigo (feeling of spinning or whirling when you are not moving)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Intense headache
• Speech problems (eg, slurred speech) and difficulty swallowing
• Problems sensing pain and temperature
• Difficulty hearing
• Problems with vision (eg, eyes move rapidly, difficulty controlling eye movement)
• Problems with eyes (eg, small pupil, droopy eyelid)
• Loss of consciousness

If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. A stroke needs to be treated as soon as possible. Brain tissue dies quickly.

The doctor will make a diagnosis as quickly as possible so that you will be able to get the proper treatment. Tests may include:

• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the brain
• CT angiogram—a type of CT scan that evaluates blood vessels in the brain and/or neck
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the brain
• MRA—a type of MRI scan that looks at blood vessels in the brain and/or neck
• Heart function tests (eg, electrocardiogram )
• Doppler ultrasound —a test that uses sound waves to examine blood vessels
• Blood tests
• Kidney function tests
• Tests to check your ability to swallow

Immediate treatment is needed to:

• Dissolve a clot (for ischemic stroke)
• Stop bleeding (for hemorrhagic stroke)

To help reduce your chance of having a stroke, take the following steps:

• Exercise regularly .
• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• If you drink alcohol , drink only in moderation (1-2 drinks per day).
• If you smoke, quit .
• If you have a chronic condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, get proper treatment.
• If you are at risk for having a stroke, talk to your doctor about taking statin medicines .