Glossary terms - I

Impairment

Loss of function (e.g. weakness, loss of sensation, loss of speech).

Incision

A cut into the body or tissue performed through surgery.

Incontinence

Loss of control of passing urine, faeces, or both (termed "double incontinence").

Infarct/infarction

An area of the brain tissue that has died as a result of being deprived of its blood supply.

Insulin

Insulin is produced by the beta cells in the pancreas. When glucose enters our blood, the pancreas should automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move glucose into our cells. People with type 1 diabetes produce no insulin. People with type 2 diabetes do not always produce enough insulin.

Intracerebral haemorrhage

A haemorrhage inside the brain.

Involuntary

Function, such as a movement, that occurs without conscious choice or effort.

Ipsilateral

On the same side (of the body).

Ischaemia

Damage to the brain where brain cells have had an inadequate blood supply (see also transient ischaemic attack).

Ischaemic cascade

Series of harmful physiological events triggered by ischaemia, and which cause further injury to the surrounding brain tissue.

Ischaemic penumbra

Area of less damaged and still living brain cells, surrounding those brain cells which have been irreparably damaged by an ischaemic stroke.

Ischaemic stroke

This type of stroke happens when a clot blocks an artery carrying blood to the brain.