STROKE (Brain Attack)
Stroke is a damage caused by interruption of blood circulation to a part of the brain. If blood flow to the brain is impeded, even for few seconds, absence of oxygen to the brain cells could lead to permanent damage. Time is the essence to save a person from a lifelong damage .
Stroke could strike anybody, whether young or old. It is considered to be the 3rd leading cause of death in America and about 20% of stroke survivors have permanent disability. But the good thing is 80% of strokes can be prevented.
Types of Stroke
- Ischemic stroke-when arteries are blocked by blood clots (thrombosis) or build up of fatty substance in the lining of the arteries (atherosclerosis) due to high cholesterol level. Based on studies, about 81% of strokes are ischemic type.
- Hemorrhagic stroke-when the arteries ruptured (aneurysm) and blood leaks into the brain and pushing normal brain tissues against the skull. About 13% of stroke cases are hemorrhagic type.
Symptoms of Stroke
- Onset of unusual severe headache
- Sudden numbness or weakness of arms, face and leg( particularly in one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion, troubled speaking and understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes
- Dizziness, sudden trouble in walking and loss of balance
Manifestations of stroke depend on which area of the brain is affected.
Stroke on the right side of the brain:
- Weakness or paralysis of the left side of the body (hemiplegia)
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired time concept
- Short attention span
- Rapid performance
- Impulsive
Stroke on the left side of the brain:
- Weakness or paralysis on the right side of the body (hemiplegia)
- Impaired speech
- Impaired comprehension
- Slow performance
RISK FACTORS TO HAVING STROKE:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol level
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
- Cigarette smoking
- Oral contraceptives
- Stress
- Physical Inactivity
TEST TO DIAGNOSE STROKE:
- CT scan
- EEG (electroencephalogram)
- Cerebral arteriography
If you are unsure that a person is having or experiencing stroke, you may perform these steps to help you find out:
- Ask the person to smile, be sure to check if one side of the face is drooping.
- Ask the person to repeat a sentence, observe if there is slurring in the speech.
- Ask the person to raise both arms to check the symmetry, observe if one arm is drifted downward.
If you see one of these signs, it is recommended to call for help, 911 or go to nearest hospital.
To avoid the debilitating effects of stroke, and since 80% are preventable, there’s something that we could do. Here are some ways to prevent its occurrence:
- Eat heart healthy foods, low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar. Be sure to lower high cholesterol level down.
- Watch your weight. Work with your doctor to have a reasonable plan for losing weight.
- Quit smoking as possible. Smoking causes tightening and damage to the blood vessels. Secondhand smoking can cause damage to the blood vessel as well.
- Involve in physical activities that are safe for you
- You may also take some medications to prevent it as your doctor prescribes.