-: BRAIN STROKE :-
Stroke ranks as the third leading cause of death and the primary cause of adult disability. Often it is referred to as a brain attack.
A stroke happens due to either a blockage or a bleed in the blood vessels, disrupting or reducing the brain’s blood supply. Without adequate blood flow, the brain lacks necessary oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death.
As a cerebrovascular disease, Stroke is a medical emergency. While many strokes are treatable, however some can still result in significant disability or death.
There are two main types of strokes: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
An ischemic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked.On the other hand , if a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or leaks, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs.
Symptoms
- One sided weakness or paralysis.
- Aphasia (Difficulty with or loss of speaking ability).
- Slurred or garbled speech (Dysarthria).
- Facial muscle weakness on one side.
- Sudden partial or total loss of one or more senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch).
- Blurred or double vision (Diplopia).
- Loss of coordination or clumsiness (Ataxia).
- Dizziness or vertigo.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Emotional instability and personality changes.
- Confusion or agitation.
- Seizures.
- Memory loss (Amnesia).
- Sudden and severe headaches.
- Passing out or fainting.
- Neck stiffness.
- Coma.
Causes
- High Blood Pressure – A reading of 140/90 or higher increases stroke risk 4-6 times.
- High Cholesterol – Elevated cholesterol levels can clog arteries, leading to a stroke or heart attack.
- Diabetes – This condition increases stroke risk 2-4 times.
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF) – Irregular heartbeats associated with AF increase stroke risk up to 6 times.
- Tobacco Use/Smoking – Smoking increases the risk of stroke by twofold.
- Alcohol Use – Consuming more than two drinks per day may increase stroke risk by 50%.
- Physical Inactivity or Obesity.
- Atherosclerosis – Thickening or hardening of the arteries due to deposition of plaque.
- Clotting Disorders.
- Heart Defects – Conditions such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect.
- Microvascular Ischemic Disease – Can block smaller blood vessels in the brain.
- Brain Aneurysms – Can sometimes lead to hemorrhagic strokes.
- Brain Tumors – Including cancer.
- Diseases Affecting Blood Vessels in the Brain – Such as moyamoya disease.
Test
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
- Lab blood tests including blood sugar, HBA1C, ESR, Platelet count, BT(Bleeding time) CT(Clotting time), Lipid profile.
- Electrocardiogram (abbreviated ECG or EKG).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG).
- Cerebral Angiogram – A cerebral angiogram provides a detailed view of the vessels in the neck and brain.
- Carotid ultrasound – Catarotic ultrasounds, also known as carotid duplex scans, show fatty deposits (plaque) in carotid arteries, which supply blood to the head, neck, and face.
- Echocardiogram.
Prevention
- Try to control your high blood pressure.
- Try to intake lower cholesterol and saturated fat type food in your diet.
- Quit tobacco use.
- Manage your diabetes well.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Try to do exercise regularly.
- Drink alcohol in moderation.
- Treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is characterized by short periods of not breathing during sleep.
- Don’t use illicit drugs.
- Try to avoid Beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.
- Also avoid those foods that contain a lot of salt or sodium, which can increase blood pressure.
Solution
- Ischemic strokes require quick action to restore blood flow to the brain. Fast treatment can prevent serious damage. This is usually done with special medications or sometimes a catheter procedure.
- Hemorrhagic stroke treatment focuses on stopping the bleeding and reducing brain pressure. This is often done by lowering blood pressure, enhancing blood clotting so that the bleeding will stop, or performing surgery to remove excess blood and relieve pressure on the brain.
- Speech therapy :- Helps you regain language and speaking skills, and improves control of muscles for breathing, eating, drinking, and swallowing.
- Physical therapy :- Aids in improving or regaining use of hands, arms, feet, and legs, and addresses balance issues and muscle weakness.
- Occupational therapy :- Retrains your brain for daily activities, focusing on precise hand movements and muscle control.
- Cognitive therapy :- Assists with memory problems and difficulties in focusing or concentrating on tasks you could do before.
Best Foods to Prevent Brain Stroke
Veg Sources
- Apple
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Rich in antioxidants and fiber, particularly pectin.
- Walnuts
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A good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid.
- Dark Chocolate.
- Leafy vegetables.
- Spinach
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High in iron and folic acid.
- Tomatoes
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Loaded with Lycopene.
- Yogurt
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Act as probiotics and rich in calcium, protein, vitamin D and potassium.
- Nuts and seeds
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Specially flaxseeds and chia seeds are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acid.
- Blueberries
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Rich source of flavonoids.
- Onions
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Dietary flavanol, a powerful antioxidant found in onions.
- Citrus fruits
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High in vitamin C, folate, and potassium. They also contain flavonoids.
- Whole Grains
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Oats, Millets etc are loaded with fiber, B vitamins (including folate and thiamine), magnesium and iron.
- Sweet Potatoes
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Loaded with antioxidants, which help reduce plaque development in blood vessels.
- Peanuts
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Abundant in fiber.
- Peanuts
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Abundant in fiber.
- Broccoli
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Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.Abundant in fiber.
- Green Tea
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Abundant in fiber.Loaded with antioxidants called catechins.
Non-Veg Sources
- Salmon (EPA)
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High in Omega-3 fatty acid, Vitamin D
Best Nutrients to Prevent Brain Stroke
Protein, Fat, Vitamin, Mineral
- Protein
- Fat
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Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin
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Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Folate
- Mineral
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Magnesium
Potassium
Calcium
Exercise to Prevent Brain Stroke
- Walking.
- Gardening and other yard work.
- Dancing.