| A Stroke of Bad Luck? |
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The word "stroke" evokes an image of something that just happens, like a stroke of bad luck. Indeed, there are unavoidable strokes related to age, family history, gender (at older ages women have more strokes than men), and certain diseases of the arteries. However up to 80% of strokes are completely preventable! Manageable risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm), alcohol use, and high cholesterol.
Just exactly what is a stroke? Basically a stroke is a brain injury that occurs because of lack of blood flow to an area of the brain. The lack of blood flow typically occurs because a blood vessel is either blocked or broken. In either case, the cells in the region of the brain that are normally nourished by those blood vessels become starved of oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to death of critical brain cells which in turn can lead to problems with speech, movement, thinking, or even vital functions like breathing.
The National Stroke Association promotes the acronym FAST to help us all recognize and respond to a likely stroke. The F denotes facial droop. The A denotes a drift downward in one arm when the person is asked to stretch his/her arms straight out. The S is for alteration in speech with slurring or strange speech when the victim is asked to repeat a simple phrase. Finally, the T is for time, a reminder to call 9-1-1 as soon as possible since early diagnosis and treatment is critical for optimizing outcome and recovery. Treatment of stroke varies depending on numerous factors including age, severity, the presence of hemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain, other medical problems and more. Poorer outcomes are typical if treatment is delayed.
So, manage your stroke risk by getting weight, diabetes, diet, alcohol, blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Make sure your heart rhythm is normal, quit smoking, and remember to get help FAST for stroke victims.
By: the Physicians of Health Butler
[2/1/2012]