What is stroke?
Stroke, also called a brain attack, happens when the arteries leading to the brain are blocked or rupture. When the brain does not receive the needed oxygen supply, the brain cells begin to die. A stroke can cause paralysis, inability to talk, inability to understand, and other conditions brought on by brain damage. Strokes kill nearly 150,000 Americans each year and are the leading cause of adult disability.
What are the different types of stroke?
Strokes can be classified into two main categories:
88 percent are ischemic strokes - strokes caused by blockage of an artery.
12 percent are hemorrhagic strokes - strokes caused by bleeding.
What are the most common symptoms of stroke?
Symptoms may be sudden and include:
- weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
- problems with vision such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
- problems with movement or walking
- severe headaches with no other known cause
All of the above warning signs may not occur with each stroke. Do not ignore any of the warning signs, even if they go away - take action immediately. The symptoms of stroke may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
STROKE IS PREVENTABLE
1. Know your blood pressure. Have it checked at least annually. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to control it.
2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (also called AF). If you have AF work with your doctor to manage it.
3. If you smoke, stop.
4. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.
5. Know your cholesterol number. If it is high, work with your doctor to control it.
6. If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully to control your diabetes.
7. Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine.
8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.
9. Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems which increase your risk for stroke. If so, work with your doctor to control them.
10. If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Stroke Prevention Guidelines for the Public:
1. Know your blood pressure. Have it checked at least annually. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to keep it under control.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading cause of stroke.
• Have your blood pressure checked at least once each year – more often if you have a history of high blood pressure.
• If the higher number (your systolic blood pressure) is consistently above 130 or if the lower number (your diastolic blood pressure) is consistently over 85, consult your doctor.
• If your doctor confirms that you have high blood pressure, he/she may recommend changes in your diet, regular exercise, and possibly medication.
2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (AF). If you have AF, work with your doctor to manage it.
• Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause blood to collect in the chambers of your heart. This blood can form clots and cause a stroke.
• Your doctor can diagnose AF by carefully checking your pulse. AF can be confirmed with an ECG (electrocardiogram).
• If you have AF, your doctor may choose to lower your risk for stroke by prescribing medications such as warfarin or aspirin.
3. If you smoke, stop.
• Smoking doubles the risk for stroke.
• If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will immediately begin to drop.
• Within five years, your stroke risk may be the same as that of a non-smoker.
4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Drinking up to two glasses of wine, or the alcohol equivalent, each day may actually lower your risk for stroke (provided that there is no other medical reason you should avoid alcohol).
• Heavy drinking increases your risk for stroke.
• Remember that alcohol is a drug — it can interact with other drugs you are taking, and alcohol is harmful if taken in large doses.
5. Know your cholesterol number. If it is high, work with your doctor to control it.
• Lowering your cholesterol may reduce your risk for stroke. Having high cholesterol can indirectly increase stroke risk by putting you at greater risk of heart disease – another important stroke risk factor.
• Some cholesterol-lowering medications have been shown to lower the risk of stroke in some high-risk individuals.
• High cholesterol can be controlled in many individuals with diet and exercise; some individuals may require medication.
• Recent studies show that some individuals with normal cholesterol may lower their risk for stroke by taking specific medications for cholesterol.
6. If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully to control your diabetes.
• Having diabetes puts you at an increased risk for stroke.
• Often, diabetes may be controlled through careful attention to what you eat.
• Your doctor can prescribe a nutrition program, lifestyle changes and medicine that can help control your diabetes.
7. Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine.
• A brisk walk or other activity for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your health in many ways, and may reduce your risk for stroke.
• Try walking with a friend; this will make it more likely that you’ll make it a habit.
• If you don’t enjoy walking, choose another exercise activity that suits your lifestyle; bicycle, golf, swim, dance, play tennis or take an aerobics class.
8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.
• By cutting down on sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and, most importantly, lower your risk for stroke.
9. Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems which increase your risk for stroke. If so, work with your doctor to control them.
• Fatty deposits - caused by atherosclerosis or other diseases - can block the arteries which carry blood from your heart to your brain. This kind of blockage, if left untreated, can cause stroke.
• You can be tested for this problem by your doctor.
• If you have blood problems such as sickle cell disease, severe anemia or other diseases, work with your doctor to manage these problems. Left untreated, these can cause stroke.
• Circulation problems can usually be treated with medications.
• Occasionally surgery is necessary to remove the blockage.
10. If you see or have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg— especially on one side of the body
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
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Seek advice at Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK).
Please Contact: Prof. (Dr.) Dipes Mandal, (Head – Neurology Dept. Sr. Consultant)
(Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM & Saturday 10:00 – 12:00 PM)
For Appointments Call: +91 33 2286 7094 / 95 / 96 Helpline: +91 98 36 16 46 26
Remember: We may be rich, we may be famous but we are nobody when we have severe head injury, stroke, severe depression or dementia. Only an Institution in our doorstep can help us with immediate care. I-NK a 150 bedded Super Specialty Hospital for Brain, Spine & Nerve Disorders is now fully OPEN.
Call: +91 98 36 16 46 26 / +91 33 2286 7094-96 Email: inkrakesh@gmail.com Visit: www.neurokolkata.org.
Source: NSA’s Complete Guide to Stroke
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