Stroke is defined as brain attack which is result of a disturbed blood circulation in some part of the brain. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S and the major cause for adult handicap.
There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. The first one is typical stroke which is caused by constriction or blockage of brain canals while the latter is less common and it is caused by hemorrhaging.
Learning how to recognize its symptoms and when to ask medical attention is of utmost importance when it comes to preventing brain damage. Even though the symptoms are different for each individual, some of the most common warning signs include:
- Loss of balance or control
- Trouble strolling
- Trouble in talking
- Difficulty to understand speech
- Numbness in the arm, leg or face ( particularly on one side)
- Vision problems
- Sudden disappointment without particular cause
- Complete paralysis
To recognize the beginning of a stroke, you need to be familiar with the F.A.S.T acronym. It stands for:
Face: See whether the side of the face sags and ask the patient to smile
Arms: Ask the patient to lift their arms to see whether one drops
Speech: Ask the patient to repeat some phrase to see whether their speech is strange or slurry
Time: Call the ambulance as soon as possible as every second matters
The warning signs occur out of the blue and fast reaction is very important as any second could improve or worsen the condition.
Instead of driving, call an ambulance right away and wait for the medical workers to start the procedure on the way to the hospital.
Even if the symptoms subside after a few minutes, you should still visit a doctor because these episodes, also known as transient ischemic assaults (TIAs) may increase your chance of full stroke.
The symptoms of migraine are very similar to the ones of stroke, which often makes it difficult for a patient to differentiate them. This is how to make a difference between these symptoms:
- The warning signs of stroke occur out of the blue while migraine attacks occur gradually and take time to spread
- The symptoms of migraine are sometimes positive in a form of added stimuli, seeing zigzag forms or flashing lights. On the other hand, TIA signs start with unpleasant symptoms like loss of limb power, loss of vision, and hearing loss.
Even though strokes may affect people of all ages and everyone can be affected, there are risk factors which increase the risk. Among them are:
- Age 55 or older
- Problems such as blood, heart problems, or atrial fibrillation
- Migraines with mood, or aesthetic disruptions
- Family history
- High blood pressure ( hypertension)
- Diabetes
- Smoking
To reduce your chance of getting a stroke, you need to follow a healthy diet which is high in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as well as to exercise on a regular basis.
Source : www.healthyfoodheadlines.com
