Almost all of us have known a person with a stroke inAnguilla. There are several factors that lead to strokes, but there are also several simple measures that can be taken to prevent stokes from occurring? Many individuals inAnguillacontinue to develop strokes, but the good news is that strokes can be treated and prevented.
What is a stroke?
For your brain to function, it needs a constant blood supply which provides vital nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells. A stroke happens when the blood supply to parts of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die. Strokes can occur very suddenly, without warning signs, and can have an immediate effect.
Individuals may become numb, weak or paralysed on one side of the body. They may slur their speech and find it difficult to find words or understand speech. Some people lose their sight or have blurred vision, and others become confused or unsteady.
Strokes affect people in different ways, depending on the part of the brain that is affected, how widespread the damage is and how healthy the person was before the stroke. Strokes can damage various bodily functions, including our ability to learn, ourthought processes, and how we feel and communicate.
Recovering from a stroke takes time. About a third of people who have a stroke make a significant recovery within a month. Most stroke survivors will have long-term problems. It may take a year or longer for them to make the best possible recovery. Sadly, in the most severe cases, strokes can be fatal or cause long-term disability.
What are the symptoms and signs of a stroke?
Watch for these signs and symptoms if you think you or someone else may be having a stroke. Note when your signs and symptoms begin, because the length of time they have been present may guide your treatment decisions.
• Trouble with walking. You may stumble or experience sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination.
• Trouble with speaking and understanding. You may experience confusion. You may slur your words or have difficulty understanding speech.
• Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. You may develop sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg, especially on one side of your body. Try to raise both your arms over your head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, you may be having a stroke. Similarly, one side of your mouth may droop when you try to smile.
• Trouble with seeing in one or both eyes. You may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes, or you may see double.
• Headache. A sudden, severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness, may indicate you’re having a stroke.
What are some risk factors for developing a stroke?
There are many factors that can increase your risk of stroke. These including the following:
• your genes
• your age
• your diet
• the amount of alcohol you drink
• whether you smoke
• how fit you are, and
• whether you have any other medical conditions.
Some of these factors you have little or no control of – such as your gender or your age.
Your gender
More men under 75 have strokes than women. But middle-aged women are more likely to have a stroke than men in the same age group.
Your age
Most people who have strokes are aged over 55, and the risk increases as you get older.
Your ethnic background
Although we do not yet know why, people of South Asian, African or African-Caribbean origin are more likely to have a stroke than other racial groups.
None of these factors mean that you will necessarily have a stroke, but it is useful to be aware if you are at increased risk so that you can take steps to live a healthier lifestyle.
How can you prevent a stroke developing?
It has been shown that having regular check-ups with your doctor can reduce your risk of stroke.You should get your blood pressure checked regularly.
High blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke. People with high blood pressure may not have any symptoms, so it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
If you have a medical condition it is important to have it under control.
Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with conditions that increase the risk of stroke, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and irregular heartbeat.
Check to see if you have atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of irregular heartbeat. If you have atrial fibrillation it means you could be more likely to suffer a stroke.
The following could be a sign that you have AF: palpitations (being aware of your heart beating fast), breathlessness, chest pain and fatigue, or you may have no symptoms but an irregular pulse over one minute.
A doctor or nurse will need to check your pulse to find out if you have AF.
Get help for stress and depression
Stress and depression can impact on your body, contribute to long-term health problems and make a stroke more likely. Your health care provider will be able to prescribe medication, or refer you to another health professional or counselor who you can talk to about things that you are finding difficult in life.
Stop smoking and abstain from drinking or drink in moderation
It has been shown that you are twice as likely to have a stroke if you smoke.
Smoking causes your arteries to clog up and makes a blood clot more likely. So stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. It is very difficult to stop smoking on your own so you might need professional help. Those teenagers and young adults who have not started this dangerous habit – it is important for all of us to encourage them not to start at all as it is very difficult to quit.
Drinking too much alcohol can also increase your blood pressure
Binge drinking (more than six units of alcohol within six hours) in particular can cause your blood pressure to increase rapidly which greatly increases the risk of a stroke. It is recommended that you should not drink everyday and do not exceed the recommended limits.
Women should not drink more than two to three units of alcohol a day. (If you are pregnant, you should not drink at all.)
Men should have no more than three to four units a day.
A unit of alcohol is a small glass of wine, a single measure of spirits or half a pint of weak beer or lager.
Medications
If you have had an ischemic stroke or TIA, your doctor may recommend medications to help reduce your risk of having another stroke. If you are prescribed these medications please continue to take them.
Healthy eating and regular exercise
A healthy diet and regular exercise are important when it comes to preventing strokes.
Healthy eating helps keep your heart and bloodstream in good form. Regular physical activity lowers your blood pressure, helps balance fats in your body and improves your ability to handle insulin.
Being overweight increases your chances of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, all of which can increase your chances of stroke.The following might prove helpful:
• Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy and one that is fun for you and that you can build into your daily routine.
• Start off gradually at first. If you have a medical disorder always see you doctor first before starting a new exercise programme. Break up exercise into several sessions of 10, 15 or 20 minutes.
• Warm up and cool down with several gentle stretching exercises. It is important for letting your heart rate return to normal after exercise.
• Stop exercising and call your doctor if you feel dizzy, have pain in your chest or have difficulty breathing.
• Get an exercise partner and change your routine occasionally to make exercise more interesting.
Conclusion
A stroke is always a medical emergency. It is important to be able to recognise symptoms of a stroke and to get help immediately. The first few minutes after a stroke are very important in the management of this disorder.Prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can minimise brain damage and potential complications.Knowing your stroke risk factors, following your doctor’s recommendations and adopting a healthy lifestyle are the best steps you can take to prevent a stroke.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
