The sudden illness usually caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain is called an ischemic stroke. This occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain is blocked, often by a blood clot or a buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen to brain tissue
. Ischemic strokes develop rapidly and cause death of brain cells within minutes to hours due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients. Symptoms typically appear suddenly and may include muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, confusion, vision problems, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination
. A related condition is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a "mini stroke," which is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. TIAs produce stroke-like symptoms that last only a few minutes to hours without causing permanent damage
. In summary, the sudden illness caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain is an ischemic stroke, characterized by sudden neurological symptoms due to interrupted blood supply and brain tissue damage.
