Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain has been halted due to a clot or bleeding into the brain. Therefore, blood is unable to reach all destinations of the brain, resulting in a stroke. The person experiencing a stroke will begin to exhibit signs and symptoms. Some signs come and go usually within 5 minutes and leave no lasting effects. However, symptoms lasting longer may indicate a major stroke is occurring. Even if symptoms are short lived, it is imperative to get medical help immediately. If not treated as soon as possible, major brain damage and lifelong disabilities could result.

What are the signs?

- Severe Headache – Dizziness -Blindness – Inability to speak or understand speech – Numbness or weakness on one side of the body – Tingling in the face, arms or legs

If you know of someone around you experiencing these signs, call 011 immediately and seek the help of medical professionals.

Risk Factors for Stroke:

- Age: At age 55 the risk of stroke doubles every ten years after – Race – Gender: Typically, women are less likely to experience a stroke than men – Previous stroke – Fractures resulting in a fat embolism – Family History – Atrial Fibrillation

Reducing your risks:

Manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise. Quit Smoking. Take medications as prescribed by your physician.

Physicians use a CT, MRI or Angiogram to determine the location of a stroke, the amount of damage it caused as well as what type of stroke was experienced.

For more sever forms of stroke such as ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, surgical intervention may be required. However, there are medications available for milder case, but they must be given within hours of experiencing a stroke.

Care after stroke:

Patients who have survived a stroke may require rehabilitation utilizing speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Recovery can take a few days to a year or more to regain lost functions.

Medications include:

Anticoagulants – This medication prevents clots from forming in those patients with A-fib. These patients are more prone to clots as they experience continuous contractions of the atria of the heart. Antiplatelets – Another medication which prevents clots from forming by ensuring platelets cannot form together in a cluster – Thrombolytics -This medication breaks up or loosens clots, hence the name “clot buster” which is then carried away by phagocytic cells.

If you have other diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it is very important to monitor and manage them properly. Proper care will help ensure that the risk of a stroke is lessened and a quality, productive life prevails.

Implementing regular exercise three days a week will assist in managing or preventing high blood pressure which is the number one cause of stroke and hemorrhagic strokes.

Healthy eating consisting of a diet containing whole grains and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and foods low in fat and high in fiber help to lower your risks that cause strokes.

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