Are you at risk of developing Stroke? Stroke or ‘Brain Attack’ can happen to anyone who has certain risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, CAD (coronary artery disease), heart disease, high cholesterol and obesity.
Someone who smokes, drinks alcohol or has a sedentary lifestyle is also at risk. If you have a family history of stroke or heart attack it is regarded as genetic predisposition to stroke.
What are the symptoms of stroke/mini-stroke?
Symptoms depend upon which area of the brain is affected .
Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg (usually on one side), confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, trouble in vision in one or both eyes, trouble in walking, dizziness, loss of balance, co-ordination or sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Is there any warning sign of stroke?
Mini-Stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack) is a warning sign of stroke. This is a transient loss of function. It is usually caused by a small blood clot in the artery of the Brain leading to brief interruption in the circulation.
It may last for a few minutes to 24 hours and it requires urgent medical attention. Contact your doctor or call the ambulance if you or your family member is having a mini-stroke.
How is stroke treated?
Stroke is treated according to the cause: stroke due to bleeding is treated by a surgery whereas a blood clot will require medication to dissolve it. CT scan and/or MRI will reveal the cause of stroke.
Long term physiotherapy and speech therapy would help improve quality of life.
How can you prevent a stroke?
If you have any risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, CAD and family history of stroke you must be visit your doctor on a regular basis. Take your medications on time to control these diseases.
Adapt a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, eating low-fat healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining an ideal body weight.
Early medical intervention can prevent damage to the brain cells and hence increase the chances of complete recovery. So, if you or someone you know develops sudden symptoms of stroke, seek medical attention immediately.
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