October 29th is marked as World Stroke Day. Studies suggest that men are more likely to have a stroke when compared to women. A stroke is damage to the brain caused by a disruption in blood supply. It is an urgent medical matter. Some of the signs of a stroke are paralysis or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, as well as trouble walking, talking, and understanding. Brain damage can be minimised with early therapy using drugs like tPA (clot buster). Other therapies concentrate on reducing side effects and averting further strokes. However, there are preventive ways through which you can prevent stroke. People are often misled, though, and as a result, they believe the myths about stroke.
It is essential to be fully aware before implementing anything, especially when it comes to your health. You would not like to risk your life just because you were wrongly or partially aware of something. On that note, let’s study some myths around strokes.
Myth 1: Stroke is associated with your heart.
A stroke damages the brain’s blood vessels and may cause temporary or permanent brain damage. It happens when the brain’s blood supply is cut off, either because a clot is obstructing a brain artery or when an artery bursts and bleeds into the brain.
Myth 2: Stroke is incurable
The sooner you seek medical attention, the better certain incredibly effective stroke treatments perform. The most effective treatment for stroke is clot removal, which involves using a device to enter the blocked artery and remove the obstructing blood clot. A clot-dissolving medication called tissue plasminogen (tPA) can dissolve a clot obstructing blood flow to the brain. There are several techniques to get rid of clots or stop hemorrhagic strokes, which are those brought on by bleeding into the brain.
Myth 3: Aspirin is a home remedy for stroke
Although breaking up a clot during a heart attack may be possible with aspirin, this is not always safe for a stroke. If you are having a stroke brought on by a brain haemorrhage, aspirin may even be hazardous. But aspirin is a great way to keep stroke patients from having another one after their doctors have checked them out and put them on it.
Myth 4: Stroke only affects the elderly.
Any age can get a stroke, even infants. In reality, stroke patients’ average age has been declining for more than ten years. People under the age of 65 are more than 25% more likely to have a stroke. However, younger people may be more likely to disregard symptoms because they believe they are too young to suffer a stroke.
Myth 5: If the stroke passes once, there is nothing to worry about.
Mini strokes, also known as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), are transient stroke symptoms. You should always call your doctor if you feel loss of coordination, abrupt weakness in an arm or leg, or facial drooping, as these are warning signals before a stroke. Observing warning symptoms that disappear could aid in avoiding a true stroke.
Correct ways to prevent stroke
Our lifestyle is fundamental to our health. What we eat, how we exercise, our sleep, all these day-to-day routine activities contribute to our health. This means it’s not that difficult to execute a healthy lifestyle just by adding easy and basic changes to your unhealthy routine. Here are some tiny efforts you can make to prevent a stroke the right way.
Keep your blood pressure under control
If high blood pressure is uncontrolled, it can double your risk of having a stroke. The largest risk factor for stroke in both men and women is high blood pressure. The biggest improvement in vascular health that people can make is probably to monitor their blood pressure and, if it is elevated, to treat it.
Ways to achieve this
Limit the amount of salt you consume daily to no more than 1,500 milligrammes (about a half teaspoon).
Keep away from items high in cholesterol, including burgers, cheese, and ice cream.
Consume 4 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily, 1 serving of fish every 2 to 3 days, as well as several portions of whole grains and low-fat dairy products each day.
Increase your physical activity by at least 30 minutes every day, and preferably more.
If you smoke, give it up.
Lose weight
Obesity increases your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, two conditions that are associated with it. If you are overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can make a big difference in how likely you are to have a stroke.
Exercise
Exercising consistently helps you lose weight and control your blood pressure. Hence, it helps you do the right things to prevent a stroke.
Every day, after breakfast, go for a stroll around your neighbourhood.
Organise a workout centre with your pals.
When working out, work up to the point where your breathing is laboured but you can still speak.
When possible, use the stairs instead of the elevator.
If you can’t exercise for 30 minutes straight, divide it up into a few 10-to 15-minute sessions throughout the day.
Put a check on your alcohol consumption.
It’s acceptable to consume a small amount of alcohol, such as one on average every day. Your risk increases significantly as soon as you start having more than two drinks every day.
Limit yourself to one glass of alcohol per day.
Some studies suggest that red wine is a good place to start because it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Observe serving sizes. A 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or a 1.5-ounce glass of hard liquor constitute standard-sized drinks.
Quit Smoking
Smoking has a number of effects that speed up clot development. Your blood becomes thicker, and the quantity of oxidised cholesterol buildup increases. Along with eating well and exercising regularly, giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk of stroke by a lot.
Consult your doctor for guidance on the best strategy for you to stop smoking.
Utilize tools to help you stop smoking, such as nicotine gum or patches, therapy, or medication.
Never give up. Most smokers require multiple attempts to stop. Consider each attempt as a step closer to finally breaking the habit.
Conclusion —
This World Stroke Day, let’s fight all the stroke-related myths and spread awareness about the right ways to prevent a stroke. Your tiny efforts can make a huge difference. Make sure you educate the people around you and help them to prevent a life-long scar for themselves and their loved ones. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy.