Stroke: Deadly but Preventable

ALWAYS THINK FAST

WHAT IS A STROKE?

A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a part of the brain doesn’t receive enough blood flow. This usually happens because of bleeding or a blocked artery in your brain. Without a consistent blood supply, the neurons (brain cells) in that part begin to die due to a lack of oxygen. A stroke is the brain’s equivalent to a heart attack. It’s also referred to as a brain attack or cerebrovascular accident.Strokes usually occur later in life, approximately two-thirds are seen in people 65 years and older. But anybody can suffer from a stroke, even children. Some people possess a more significant risk compared to others. In addition, some medical conditions can increase your risk of stroke, like hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, elevated blood cholesterol levels (hyperlipidaemia), heart attack or abnormal heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation), and people with a history of prior stroke.

FAST STATISTICS ON STROKE

On a global scale, one in four adults above 25 years old will develop a stroke in their lifetime. Surprisingly, over 110 million people worldwide have suffered from a stroke, yet more than 80% of strokes can be prevented.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BODY WHEN I HAVE A STROKE?

After a stroke, a part of the brain loses its blood supply, preventing it from getting oxygen and nutrients. Without a supply of oxygen, the affected neurons can’t function properly. Neurons die in the absence of oxygen for too long. If enough neurons in an area of the brain die, the damage can become permanent. A person may lose the capabilities that the area once had control over. But restoring adequate blood flow can limit the severity of the damage or even prevent it. This is the reason time is crucial when treating a stroke.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF STROKES?

1. Haemorrhagic Stroke (about 20% of strokes). A haemorrhagic stroke causes bleeding or haemorrhage in or around the brain.
2. An ischaemic stroke happens when a blood clot narrows or blocks an artery to the brain. Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of strokes, accounting for about 80% of all strokes.

Mini-stroke. A mini-stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is similar to a stroke, but the symptoms are temporary. A TIA is usually a warning sign that a person may suffer from a real stroke in the near future. It usually lasts only for a few minutes and doesn’t leave permanent damage.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF A STROKE?

Other factors that can increase a person’s risk of having a stroke include:

1. Hypertension or can play a massive role in strokes, not just the haemorrhagic type. It’s associated with damage to blood vessel walls, making a stroke more likely to happen.
2. Alcoholism can lead to liver damage because of excess alcohol and can prevent the liver from producing substances that help the blood clot properly. The absence of these substances can increase the risk of developing a stroke because of bleeding in the brain.
3. leads to the development of fatty deposits in blood vessels. After some time, these deposits increase in size, and make it hard for enough blood to pass through the arteries. These deposits can break and form a clot that causes a stroke or heart attack.
4. Diabetes mellitus type 2. Like cholesterol, excessively high blood glucose levels can lead to increased clots or fatty deposits.
5. Smoking and vaping. Smokers are more than twice as likely to develop a stroke as non-smokers. A handful of studies have already suggested that e-cigarettes can increase a person’s risk of stroke and heart attack.
6. Migraines. If a person has migraine with aura, the chances of developing an ischaemic stroke are increased compared to those who don’t have migraines. An aura is a warning that a migraine headache is coming or going to happen. It’s sometimes described as a sensation of pins and needles, feeling unsteady or dizzy, or seeing flashing lights.
7. Drug misuse and abuse. Strokes among people with drug abuse problems often happen in a younger age group. Commonly abused drugs like amphetamine, cocaine, and heroin are all linked to increased stroke risk.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE – THINK FAST!

To quickly recognise if someone is having a stroke, remember the acronym FAST.

F
Face Drooping Does one side of the person’s face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile even?
A
Arm Weakness Does one arm feel weak or numb? Instruct the person to raise both arms. Does one arm slowly fall down?
S
Speech Difficulty Is the person’s speech slurred?
T
Time to call the emergency number in your area.

Other symptoms of a stroke. Different parts of the brain control different capabilities, so the signs and symptoms of stroke depend on the affected part/s. Stroke symptoms can include one or more of the following:

Note: If you think you’re having a stroke or someone with you has stroke symptoms, immediately call the emergency number in your area. Remember, a stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Don’t ignore its symptoms.

DIAGNOSIS OF STROKE

A doctor will diagnose stroke using a mixture of neurological and physical examination, imaging and other tests. During the neurological examination, the doctor will ask the patient who may be having a stroke to accomplish specific tasks and answer questions. While the patient is doing the tasks and answering questions, the doctor will search for clues that illustrate a problem with how an area of the brain works. The doctor also orders some diagnostic imaging and tests to support the diagnosis and direct management further.

MEDICAL TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF STROKE

The most critical factor in determining stroke treatment is identifying the type of stroke the person has. The drugs and treatment used will vary and depend on the type of stroke and how quickly or soon enough a person receives medical treatment after the stroke.

1. Haemorrhagic stroke. Treatment of a haemorrhagic stroke depends on the severity and location of the bleeding. Among the essential things that must be done is to lower high blood pressure to reduce the severity of bleeding. An additional treatment option is to optimise blood clotting, so the bleeding stops. Sometimes, the clotted blood inside the brain is big enough to produce pressure on the brain, so surgery may be needed to address this problem.


2. Ischaemic stroke. Treatment of an ischaemic stroke primarily includes restoring blood flow to affected brain areas. If this happens soon enough, it may be possible to avoid permanent damage or, at the very least, minimise the severity of the stroke. Bringing back the blood flow or circulation involves thrombolytics (a special medication) and a possible catheterisation procedure.


3. Rehabilitation is care and management that’s available after a stroke. It helps a person who had a stroke adapt to alterations in their brain. It aids them in regaining the capabilities they possessed before developing the stroke. Rehabilitation can take many forms, including cognitive, physical, speech, and occupational therapies.

The attending physician or healthcare provider will outline a treatment plan and timeline for the patient’s recovery. It’s a must that the patient should stick to the treatment plan as strictly as possible. It will give the person a better chance of recovering well.

OUTCOME AND PROGNOSIS AFTER A STROKE

After surviving a stroke, several factors affect the outcome and prognosis. Essential factors include where in the brain the stroke happened and how big the stroke is. The type of stroke has a considerable impact also. A haemorrhagic stroke usually causes more severe signs and symptoms than an ischaemic stroke. Its symptoms also tend to evolve to something worse swiftly. These symptoms include seizures, headaches, and even coma. The prognosis for haemorrhagic stroke is generally poorer than an ischaemic stroke. As for an ischaemic stroke, the greater the brain damage, the more likely the person will lose some of his capabilities. These may be temporary at first but can progress to permanent stages later. The quicker a person is brought to the emergency room for treatment, the bigger that person’s chances of survival. Prompt treatment does not guarantee complete recovery. It’s relatively common that some effects stay awhile and can become permanent. The greatest recovery in progress usually occurs within the first 6 to 18 months after the stroke. All types of strokes can cause disability and death if severe enough. The attending physician or healthcare provider is in the best position to inform the patient regarding the outcome and prognosis of the stroke.

PREVENTION

You can do many things to lower your risk of developing a stroke. These include the following:

1. At the very least, embrace a healthy lifestyle. This should be on the top of your list. Exercising and eating a healthy diet daily can improve your health and reduce stroke risk. Research studies have shown that increasing moderate activity can reduce your risk of developing a stroke by up to 40%. You should also get sufficient sleep at night and rest periods throughout the day.



Other things you can include:

1. Stop smoking or vaping.
2. Avoid alcohol.
3. Don't take illegal drugs.
4. Don't misuse prescription drugs.


2. Take care of your medical conditions. Medical conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, obesity, sleep apnoea, or arrhythmia can increase your chances of developing an ischaemic stroke. If you suffer from any one or more of these conditions, it’s essential that you do your best to manage them and get them under control. A good example would always be to take your medicines on time. Among these medical conditions, high blood pressure or hypertension is the most significant contributor to stroke risk in both men and women.


3. Visit your primary healthcare provider even if you’re not sick. You don’t have to be sick to visit a doctor. Wellness visits can be done annually to detect possible health problems. Identifying factors that can increase your chances of having a stroke before symptoms appear will go a long way.


4. Avoid pro-inflammatory foods. Pro-inflammatory foods can increase your risk of developing a stroke. Recent research data explained that processed, refined, and sugary foods are more likely to lead to inflammation which can cause stroke and cardiovascular disease. Plant-based diets like the Mediterranean diet can lower your stroke risk.


5. Systemic enzymes. According to an article published in the PharmaNutrition journal, the use of systemic enzymes demonstrated a noticeable reduction in inflammatory biomarkers among people with subclinical inflammation. When it comes to stroke, we all want to be in an anti-inflammatory state, and systemic enzymes may help support healthy circulation, prevent unnecessary clotting, and rid your circulation of pro-inflammatory factors. These supplements are usually available as a combination of several systemic enzymes like nattokinase, protease, serrapeptase and other proteolytic enzymes.


6. Ginkgo biloba. Based on an article published in the British Medical Journal, aspirin in combination with Ginkgo biloba extracts decreased the symptoms and deficits (cognitive and neurological) after acute ischaemic strokes. It may also help boost memory, reduce brain damage, and speed up recovery following a stroke. At the time of this writing, Ginkgo biloba’s use concerning the prevention of a stroke is not yet apparent.

A stroke or brain attack is to your brain, as a heart attack is to your heart. It’s undoubtedly a life-threatening and time-sensitive medical emergency. Numerous delays in treatment can lead to permanent brain damage, disability and even death. Fortunately, treatment options, diagnostic brain imaging, and new medications are rapidly advancing. If you suspect that you’re having a stroke or someone with you is having one, call the emergency number in your area immediately.