Brain Strokes : Symptoms and Preventions

Image : Brain is the Motor of our body 

See my new websites : brain-strokes

Brain strokes or « brain attacks », are ranked as the 5th most common cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the USA. A stroke is a deadly medical emergency and can affect everyone so people maintain awareness. Get ready to call for help (911 or local emergency line) without wasting any second because ‘’ time is brain ’’. During a stroke, a patient loses 1.9 million neurons each minute, very damaging to the brain. We can prevent 80 %

of strokes by controlling the risk factors. While heredity, age and race are set variables, there are many actions you can take to cancel out several other risk factors.

What is Brain stroke

Stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. There are many types of brain strokes, the most common is an abrupt blockage of arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke) and the 2nd is by bleeding into brain tissue when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). When the symptoms of a stroke last only a short time, less than an hour, we call it ‘’mini-stroke’’ or ‘’transient ischemic attack’’ ( AIT). ( Mini-strokes usually last less than five minutes and it’s a major warning signaling that it was a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. These should never be ignored because, just like the check engine light on your car, it’s a warning that something is wrong.

Brain stroke Symptoms 

An easy to remember acronym for stroke symptoms: ‘’FAST’’

F: Face drooping

A: Arm weakness

S: Speech slurred

T: Time to call 911 If you see ‘F’, ‘A’, ‘S’ happing, it’s time to ‘T’, and do so fast.

Steps to Prevent brain Stroke

These key factors can help you live a longer, healthier life and reduce your risk of brain stroke. They’re part of an overall healthy lifestyle and prevention approach you can build with your health care team (doctors, nurses, pharmacists ).

1. Know your risk

Estimate your risk by Change Control Calculator of a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years. Certain factors can increase your risks, such as smoking, kidney disease or family history.

2. Control your BLOOD PRESSURE

High Blood Pressure (HBP) is the No. 1 cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg, People who are overweight or obese, over age 35, have a family history of HBP, African Americans, pregnant women, and those who are physically inactive eat too much salt and/or drink too much alcohol are at higher risk for HBP. Of all people with high blood pressure, more than 20 percent are unaware of their condition. Are you one of them? If you don’t know, see a healthcare professional to be tested.

3. Avoid CIGARETTE SMOKING

Cigarette smoke damages the cardiovascular system in many ways. you must stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, too. If you don’t think you can quit for good on your own, ask for help.

4. Control your blood sugar ‘’DIABETES MELLITUS (DM)’’

Normal fasting glucose is glucose <100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy can prevent progression to DM. Though diabetes is treatable, the presence of the disease still increases your risk of stroke.

5. Take a healthy diet

Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels. Diets high in sodium (salt) can contribute to increased blood pressure. Diets with excess calories can contribute to obesity. But a diet that includes five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce stroke risk.

6. Be physically active and watch your weight 

Being inactive, obese (defined as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 ) or both can increase your risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. So go on a brisk walk, take the stairs and do whatever you can to make your life more active. Try to get a total of at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days.

7. Control your BLOOD CHOLESTEROL ‘’Dyslipidmia’’

Modification of a primary serum lipid biomarker such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an important component to reduce the risk of brain stroke. It also appears that low HDL (“good”) cholesterol is a risk factor for stroke, take your medication and eat a healthy diet to control your blood cholesterol.

8. Take your medicine

Your doctor may prescribe statins or other medications to help control cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

Take all medications as directed. Healthy living is the best way to delay or avoid many brain diseases. This means controlling your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, being active and fit, eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, taking your medicine that can protect you from brain strokes.

 Written by Dr Zenasni O. 
 Medical Doctor, 
Emergency Service