Stroke is recognized as the most frequent cause of permanent disability. This can cause anxiety in numerous people, not necessarily because of the possibility of death, but because of losing their freedom in doing things.
The stroke affects Blood vessels within the brain. Additionally, the consequences of a stroke may enhance the consequences of other diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Stroke is second only to dementia as the most significant reason for the need to take precautions for it. It is reported the fact that three Indians suffer from strokes every minute. But the best part is that stroke is preventable and can be treated effectively.
In this blog, we will discuss the various aspects of a stroke.
What exactly is a Stroke?
A stroke happens in the event of a blockage of the brain’s blood supply. Because of the disruption in blood flow to the brain, it is not getting enough oxygen or nutrients which causes brain cells to die. A brain may get damaged severely due to stroke or it may cause long-term disability or even death.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a stroke are:
1.Problems in speaking and understanding what other people are saying: In simple word you may have a slurred speech and may experience confusion, or struggle to understand what others are telling.
2.Numbness or paralysis of the arm, face or leg: You may develop sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg. It is usually only one side of your body gets affected due to stroke. Make sure to lift both arms and your head simultaneously. If one arm starts to slide down, it may be due to stroke. Also, the part of the mouth could be drooping when you attempt to smile.
3.Trouble seeing with either eye or both: You may suddenly start experiencing blurred or darkened vision in either of your eyes or be able to see twice.
4.Headache: A sudden, severe headache that may be coupled with nausea dizziness, nausea or an altered state of consciousness could indicate you’re suffering from a stroke.
5.Walking with difficulty: You may stumble or lose your balance. There is also a possibility of abrupt dizziness or loss of coordination.
When is the best time to visit a doctor?
Take immediate medical attention when you experience any early symptoms or signs of stroke, even if they appear to be fading or disappearing completely. Consider FAST. Time is precious. Timely action can save lives.
How to check?
1.Face: Ask the person to smile. Do the sides of the face look uneven?
2.Arms: Ask the person to raise both the arms. Is one arm slipping downward? Or is one arm unable to rise?
3.Speech: Ask the person to repeat a sentence. Is their speech unclear or odd?
4.Time: If you observe any of these indicators seek immediate medical assistance.
Risk factors
Many factors contribute to the increased Risk of suffering from a stroke. The general rule is that people who have more risk factors are at an increased risk of suffering from a stroke. Additionally, risk factors enhance the likelihood of suffering from a stroke.
Here are some risks mentioned below:
1.Age: The risk of stroke increases as you get older.
2.Hypertension: Sometimes referred to as hypertension is a significant risk cause of stroke. If treatment is not provided the risk of suffering a stroke could be six times higher than those with normal or managed blood pressure.
3.Family history: If a blood relative of yours suffered a stroke, your risk of having a stroke is greater than the average.
4.Diabetes: Being diabetic increases the risk of stroke for a person. It’s been observed that blood sugar that is not controlled makes the walls of the arteries more brittle. This is what leads to the formation of plaques. This increases the risk of blood clots. This could result in a stroke.
5.Blood cholesterol and lipids: The presence of cholesterol can narrow the artery by forming an artery plaque. Plaque content is comprised of cholesterol, fatty substances and calcium. The plaque reduces cerebral blood circulation, which can lead to stroke.
6.An earlier case of stroke: It is a good reason for another stroke if there was an earlier stroke. This is especially true for those who suffered heart attacks before. The risk for heart attacks is highest during the first month following an attack on the heart but is reduced over the passage of time.
7.Stress: In certain instances, stress can trigger medical issues like hypertension or specific blood vessel conditions that could lead to stroke.
Furthermore, the majority of neurological symptoms are lessened when treatment is initiated during this golden time.
What can you do to prevent strokes effectively?
Being active and following healthy lifestyle will reduce the chance of suffering a stroke. For that, adhere to the following guidelines:
1.By saying no to tobacco or smoking: Quitting smoking reduces the chance of stroke.
2.Keep your weight in check: Obesity has been found as one of the main causes of stroke. Make sure you balance your weight to the right level.
3.Make sure to have regular health checks: Be in contact with your physician and be sure to have regular health checks to detect any possible risk.
4.Eat a balanced diet or stop eating foods with high salt content and high levels of fatty acids: Instead, substitute these foods with items that contain low levels of fatty acids as well as high nutrition.
5.Regular exercise will help you lose weight and lower blood pressure: This can, in turn, lower the chance of having a stroke.
As such, following healthy lifestyles, doing regular exercises, and regular health check-ups can minimize the chance of stroke. However, if there’s any symptoms of stroke, timely action like consultation with specialist medical professionals can save life.
Disclaimer
Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out. It is requested to bring any such discrepancies to the notice of the blogger for correction.
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