Health Sense : Stroke
Strokes are both common and preventable: 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Recognizing the symptoms and acting fast to get medical attention can help save lives and limit ensuing disabilities a stroke victim may suffer.Strokes can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of sex or age. Typically, stroke symptoms start suddenly, within seconds to minutes, and in most cases do not progress further. On average, two million brain cells die every minute following a typical stroke, which increases the chance of permanent damage, disability or death.
Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults in the world today and one of the leading causes of death after cancer and heart disease. Disability affects 75 percent of stroke survivors, which can hamper their ability to work.Three vital facts about stroke can help those at risk prevent them from occurring. First, what are the risk factors? Second, what tests can be done to assess an individual's risk? Third, what can be done to prevent a stroke?
Risk factors
Stroke occurs more often in people who fit the following categories. Strokes are more frequent in men than women, more frequent in the over-50 set. Habits and lifestyle choices mark other higher risk groups, including people who are overweight; have high blood pressure or diabetes; smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, and are under stress; do not exercise; and eat a diet high in salt and fat. Anyone with a history of heart disease in themselves or their families has a higher risk of stroke as well.
Signs, symptoms and medical tests
If you have one or some of the following signs or symptoms, even for a short time, you may have experienced a stroke. These include: sudden loss of vision; weakness in the face, an arm or a leg; difficulty talking or understanding speech; or severe headaches, dizziness or loss of balance. Your doctor may advise testing such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which provide images of the brain so she or he can look for signs of a stroke. Often the doctor will also ask for an angiogram, to study the blood vessels, or a perfusion scan to assess the pattern of blood flow. Several blood tests are commonly ordered to assess the overall risk of stroke.
Stroke prevention
If you have any risk factors described above, your doctor will advise you on how to reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Regular medical check-ups to monitor and treat high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and heart disease; leading a healthy lifestyle, regular exercises, stress reduction and not smoking will help to prevent an onset of stroke. Everyone has some stroke risk. While some factors are beyond your control, regular check-ups and early detection can help reduce the likelihood and reduce the severity of any stroke you do experience.
Everyone has some stroke risk. While some factors are beyond your control, regular check-ups and early detection can help reduce the likelihood and reduce the severity of any stroke you do experience. (JPost)
Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults in the world today and one of the leading causes of death after cancer and heart disease. Disability affects 75 percent of stroke survivors, which can hamper their ability to work.Three vital facts about stroke can help those at risk prevent them from occurring. First, what are the risk factors? Second, what tests can be done to assess an individual's risk? Third, what can be done to prevent a stroke?
Risk factors
Stroke occurs more often in people who fit the following categories. Strokes are more frequent in men than women, more frequent in the over-50 set. Habits and lifestyle choices mark other higher risk groups, including people who are overweight; have high blood pressure or diabetes; smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, and are under stress; do not exercise; and eat a diet high in salt and fat. Anyone with a history of heart disease in themselves or their families has a higher risk of stroke as well.
Signs, symptoms and medical tests
If you have one or some of the following signs or symptoms, even for a short time, you may have experienced a stroke. These include: sudden loss of vision; weakness in the face, an arm or a leg; difficulty talking or understanding speech; or severe headaches, dizziness or loss of balance. Your doctor may advise testing such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which provide images of the brain so she or he can look for signs of a stroke. Often the doctor will also ask for an angiogram, to study the blood vessels, or a perfusion scan to assess the pattern of blood flow. Several blood tests are commonly ordered to assess the overall risk of stroke.
Stroke prevention
If you have any risk factors described above, your doctor will advise you on how to reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Regular medical check-ups to monitor and treat high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and heart disease; leading a healthy lifestyle, regular exercises, stress reduction and not smoking will help to prevent an onset of stroke. Everyone has some stroke risk. While some factors are beyond your control, regular check-ups and early detection can help reduce the likelihood and reduce the severity of any stroke you do experience.
Everyone has some stroke risk. While some factors are beyond your control, regular check-ups and early detection can help reduce the likelihood and reduce the severity of any stroke you do experience. (JPost)
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