Introduction: Strokes occur in more than 750,000 Americans each year. Although stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, the risk of dying from stroke has been reduced by more than half from 20 years ago. This is thanks to control of risk factors and improvements in treatment methods.
What is a stroke?
Stroke is a disease of the blood vessels in the brain that occurs in the arteries of the brain. It is associated with a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel. The disruption of the blood supply deprives brain cells of oxygen, which can cause cells in the ischemic area to die within minutes or hours. Bleeding in the brain can also cause damage to brain tissue.
When the brain cells are damaged, the areas of the body that are innervated by this part of the brain cells cannot function as usual. This may manifest as difficulty with speech, varying degrees of paralysis, or memory loss. The degree of loss of function depends on the extent of the stroke and where the stroke occurred.
What is a transient ischemic attack?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary interruption of the blood supply to the brain. the symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, but last for a shorter period of time (a few minutes to a day) and then go away on their own. a TIA indicates a serious potential risk of stroke.
What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?
Both strokes and transient ischemic attacks have a sudden onset and are usually not preceded by symptoms. The most common aura symptoms include.
1. sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arms or legs, usually unilateral to the body.
2. loss of speech or difficulty with speech or language comprehension
3. sudden blurred vision or loss of vision, usually in one eye; or sudden double vision.
4. vertigo, balance disorder or coordination disorder.
5. Sudden onset of severe headache with no apparent cause.
What should you or someone you know do if you have a stroke or TIA?
Although symptoms are sometimes mild and often painless, strokes and TIAs are emergencies and require immediate medical attention. If you notice one or more of these signs or symptoms in yourself or someone else, call 120 or another designated emergency number immediately.
How can I prevent a stroke?
1. Although factors such as family history, old age, gender and ethnicity cannot be changed, the risk of stroke can be reduced by eliminating or changing factors that increase the risk of stroke.
2. follow medical advice to control high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and weight.
3. If you smoke, quit. Smokers have about half the risk of stroke than nonsmokers. Seek treatment programs that can help quit smoking.
4. A healthy diet can reduce the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. Eat foods that are low in fat or fat-free (especially saturated fat), low in salt, and low in cholesterol. Consult a registered dietitian if you need help in developing a healthy eating plan.
5. Regular exercise (15-40 minutes 3-5 times a week) can enhance heart function, improve circulation, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and may also reduce the risk of stroke. Consult a physician before starting an exercise program.
6. Drinking alcohol or using prohibited drugs may cause strokes. limit daily alcohol consumption to no more than 90 ml of 80 proof spirits, 240 ml of wine and 720 ml of beer. if you use prohibited drugs, or cannot control your alcohol consumption, seek treatment or counseling.
7. Stress is usually associated with high blood pressure. Learn and connect with stress management and relaxation techniques.