Information and facts on Stroke

 

Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is blocked, this deprives the brain of oxygen which it needs to function. If oxygen deprivation lasts more than a few minutes, parts of brain tissue die, resulting in permanent damage. Over 80% of all strokes are caused by atherosclerosis, which results in a gradual buildup of fatty plaques on artery walls. The plaques narrow the arteries and can block them, also a blood clot can become lodged in the blocked area of a blood vessel. A stroke can also result if a blood vessel serving the brain ruptures, interrupting the flow of blood. The risk of suffering a stroke is increased by several factors. The two most common high risk factors are atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, which weakens the walls of the arteries. Hyperlipidemia also increases the risk of strokes. Diabetes and smoking also increase the chances of stroke as they both increase the risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Other serious problems that add to the risk of stroke include an irregular heartbeat and/or a damaged heart valve. These can cause disruptions in the flow of blood in the heart’s chambers that lead to the formation of clots or even bacterial growths that can break off and travel through the arteries, and ultimately block the flow of blood to the brain. A recent heart attack also increases the risk. Women who take oral contraceptives are at higher risk of stroke than those who practice different methods of birth control.

The affects of a stroke, will depend on whether the brain suffers permanent damage and, if it does, exactly what region of the brain is damaged. If your brain is deprived of oxygen even for a short time, you may experience any of the following: confusion, temporary loss of speech, visual problems, weakness, and tremors, but then return back to normal once the flow of blood to the brain is restored. This type of problem is called a TIA or transient ischemic attack. Sometimes TIAs can be an indicator  of future problems, but not always; some people have them repeatedly without appearing to suffer any serious consequences. A major stroke that causes brain damage can happen within minutes or even seconds, or it may develop slowly over a period of hours or even a day or more. The person may be left with impairment in bodily sensations, movement, vision, and/or speech. In one way, the slowly developing type of stroke can be the more dangerous of the two, because the person may not recognize it as an emergency right away, and delaying treatment can be a very serious problem.

Symptoms of stroke usually include one or more of the following: a sudden, intense headache; numbness, dizziness, weakness, and/or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, often affecting only one side of the body; blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes; difficulty swallowing; difficulty speaking or slurred speech; sudden confusion and/or difficulty understanding simple statements; and dizziness, unsteadiness, and loss of balance and coordination, possibly leading to a fall. It is possible for a person having a stroke to lose consciousness completely.

Note over 33% of people who suffer strokes do not survive the attack. Another 33%  are left with some degree of disability, and the remaining people may recover completely. Quick treatment is the key to survival and recovery. It is recommended to eat better, take nutritional supplements, and reduce stress as preventative measures to stroke.

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.