Stroke - Know The Signs And Act "FAST"

The term "Stroke" is medically defined as a sudden interruption of blood supply of the brain. This might be due to an abrupt blockage of arteries that are linked to the brain -ischemic stroke, or when a blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain tissue -hemorrhagic stroke. Stroke occurs rapidly and requires immediate treatment, therefore can also be called a brain attack. When the symptoms of a stroke last only a short time -less than an hour, it is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke.

Strokes may cause sudden weakness, loss of sensation, or difficulty with speaking, seeing, or walking. Since different parts of the brain control different areas and functions, it is usually the area immediately surrounding the stroke that is affected. The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured, and how severely it is injured. Sometimes people with stroke have a headache, but stroke can also be completely painless. It is very important to recognize the warning signs of stroke and to get immediate medical attention if they occur.The most common sign of stroke is sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, most often on one side of the body.

Other warning signs can include:

• Sudden numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

You can prevent stroke by making healthy lifestyle choices.

Healthy Diet: Eating foods low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can also lower your blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure increase your chances of having a stroke.  Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk for stroke. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, you can walk into any primary healthcare center or pharmacy to calculate your body mass index (BMI). If you know your weight and height, you can calculate your BMI. 

Physical Activity: Physical activity can help you stay at a healthy weight and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. For adults, 2 hours and 30 minutes of physical activity, such as a brisk walk, each week will go a long way.

No Smoking: Cigarette smoking greatly increases your chances of having a stroke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for stroke. kindly signify in the comment section if you need suggestions on ways to help you quit.

Limited Alcohol: Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women only one.

According to W.H.O, Of the 56.9 million deaths worldwide in 2016, more than half (54%) were due to the top 10 causes. Stroke and Ischemic heart disease are the world’s biggest killers, accounting for a combined 15.2 million deaths in 2016. These diseases have remained the leading causes of death globally in the last 15 years.

kindly contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the above signs.

Happy Sunday!

Pharm G B.IDAMKUE

Reference:
1. link Accessed on the 28th of June,2018
2. link Accessed on the 29th of June,2018
3. link Accessed on the @9th of June,2018