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Fifteen million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year. Shockingly, 3 million women and 2.5 million men die as a direct result. In addition to this tragic loss of life, another 5 million people are left permanently disabled, placing a burden on family, community and society.
Stroke is very uncommon in people younger than 40 years of
age, but when it does occur, high blood pressure is the main cause. Simply treating
and preventing high blood pressure can reduce risk of a stroke up to 40
percent. Prevention is the ultimate cure.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is the brain’s equivalent to a heart attack. The
brain requires blood flow in order to function. Brain damage occurs when the
brain loses its oxygen and energy supply.
The symptoms of a stroke, as well as the extent of its
damage, depend on which part of the brain is injured and how severely it is
affected. A stroke can cause irreversible damage, immediate paralysis and even sudden
death.
It’s getting better –
or is it?
The incidences of preventable strokes seem to decline as a
country develops. This is primarily a result of improved public education and
health care services designed to lower high blood pressure and reduce smoking.
However, the overall number of strokes continues to rise because
society is living longer. This indicates an increase in questionable lifestyle
choices over time. The healthier your
lifestyle, the smaller your risk.
Are you proactive or
reactive?
A stroke carries a high risk of death. Stroke survivors can
experience loss of vision, speech, paralysis and mental disability. Once you’ve
experienced a stroke, further episodes are very common if you do not correct
underlying contributing factors. Even
then, you’re still at heightened risk.
Certain racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups are also at
greater risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease and heart attack – all
contributors to stroke.
The most important modifiable causes of stroke are high
blood pressure, smoking and obesity. Two out of every five stroke-related
deaths under the age of 65 years are linked to smoking. As mentioned earlier,
four-out-of-ten could have been saved if their blood pressure had been
regulated.
Can I have a minor
stroke?
It is possible to experience the symptoms of stroke without
actually having one. A minor stroke is
not an official condition but commonly used term that is often used to describe
a stroke where the symptoms are relatively short-lived.
The symptoms of a stroke or minor stroke in an individual
will depend entirely on where the stroke occurs. The brain is complex and each
area of the brain controls different bodily functions. For example, a stroke in
the base of the brain will cause problems with balance. A stroke typically causes:
• Weakness of the limbs or face,
affecting just one side of the body.
• Possible loss of vision or
sensation changes in the skin.
• Speech may be slurred or completely
lost.
• Mental confusion.
• Difficulty swallowing.
In a minor stroke, the symptoms are limited and usually improve
more quickly and more completely. Symptoms resolve very rapidly and the person
usually feels back to normal within 10-15 minutes with certain conditions
associated with a minor stroke.
The primary goal of treating any type of stroke is to ensure
that the brain receives required oxygen and nutrients. The first step is to stop the bleeding,
improve the blood supply and eliminate possible causes of long-term, disabling
side effects. This is called the acute
phase of care and the risk of death significantly increases without it.
To stroke or not to
stroke?
The continued bad news is that 60 percent of those who
suffer a stroke will die or become dependent regardless of availability of
advanced technology and facilities. The
purpose of statistics is not to scare the public but to demonstrate the
importance of making lifestyle improvements before a tragedy occurs.
The good news is that we know how to reduce your risk of
stroke significantly. We start the fight with improving the contributing risk
factors such as an unhealthy diet, obesity, high salt intake and overall
inflammation in the body.
Inflammation has been found to be the leading cause of heart
disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and more.
This inflammation damages and weakens the blood vessels, making them
prone to rupturing and producing a stroke.
Prevent future
strokes
The most important aspect of treatment is called secondary
prevention. One should expect to suffer another stroke without addressing the
underlying causes of the first one. A
variety of treatments and lifestyle modification techniques can be used to
reduce your risk.
First, quit
smoking and ensure that you are not around second-hand smoke. Smoking has been found to double the risk of
stroke through producing inflammation and scarring of the arteries. Inflammation is a common outcome of
over-consumption of alcohol as well.
Regular
exercise and physical fitness are requisite for a healthy life. If you’re not moving, you’re not moving. Simply going for a walk will reduce
inflammation and improve circulation of oxygen and nutrients. Exercise is one
of the most effective ways to combat obesity, diabetes, heart disease and
cancer.
What is a balanced diet?
It is a
common recommendation to eat a balanced diet but most people don’t know what
that really means. Does that mean that
you should eat both good and bad things?
If you’re consuming foods that produce inflammation, you’re increasing
your risk of stroke. Don’t eat in balance;
eat for your nutrient requirements.
What foods
produce inflammation? The causers of inflammation
are located in processed food items, boxed items, canned goods and other food
goods that can sit on the shelf for years.
Other major contributors are sodas and other sugar-laced drinks that we’re
now giving to our children.
Medicine is often confusing
Other
recommendations often yield further explanation as well. It’s common for health care providers to say
one should lower their blood cholesterol levels – the more the better. This is not true. Cholesterol is needed in the body for healing
and function. If you eliminated it
completely, you would die.
Inflammation
is the leading cause of ‘bad’ cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood clots and
scarring of the arteries. Without
addressing the inflammation, the mentioned side effects of inflammation remain
unchecked. As a result, your risk for stroke skyrockets.
High
cholesterol and high blood pressure are not caused by a lack of
medication. It’s caused by improper
function of the human body. By committing
to a healthy diet and an ideal exercise regimen while also eliminating risk
factors like smoking, you encourage proper healing and function. This lifestyle will not only prevent your
first stroke, but also your second.
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker
and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications
throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health
Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education.
Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email:
drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
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