| As life (at least in the West) becomes more | | | | functional, at least until medical help arrives. |
| sedentary, and as people turn more and more to | | | | Breathing exercises are also part of post-stroke |
| greasy, sugary, over-processed foods, strokes | | | | therapy, given that having a hard time breathing is |
| become more and more of a concern. There are | | | | just one of the many possible consequences of |
| two main types of strokes, both involving blood | | | | going through a stroke. These exercises might |
| vessels that supply the brain. The first and | | | | require the assistance of a specially trained |
| commoner type happens when a blood clot blocks | | | | physiotherapist. It might be galling to have to |
| a major blood vessel. The second type happens | | | | re-learn how to breathe, but it is very important, |
| when a blood vessel breaks or bursts. | | | | so that you can regain most of your other |
| Improving your diet and doing physical exercise | | | | normal functions, and also reduce the likelihood of |
| are important lifestyle changes you can make in | | | | a stroke happening again. |
| order to reduce the likelihood of having a stroke | | | | As we have seen, having a stroke is far from the |
| and for recovery from stroke. The same can be | | | | end of the world. There are many ways to deal |
| said of quitting or avoiding smoking. However, | | | | with both the immediate effects and the |
| improving breathing can help you as well. Many | | | | long-term results. Breathing exercises are useful in |
| people go through their lives with a pattern of | | | | both cases. Even so, people with especially severe |
| excessively light breathing. This is adequate, but | | | | strokes may be unable to take these post-stroke |
| far from optimal. On the other hand, slow, deep, | | | | measures. After all, the gravity of strokes is so |
| regulated breathing can indirectly prevent strokes | | | | diverse that some people do not find out until long |
| by reducing your overall stress level. High levels of | | | | afterwards that they have had a stroke, while |
| stress tend to raise blood pressure, which can | | | | others soon die or slip into a permanent coma. |
| increase the likelihood of the bursting of a blood | | | | Therefore, it is best to do what you can in order |
| vessel that supplies brain tissue. | | | | to prevent a stroke from happening at all. Keep |
| Breathing well can also help you deal with the | | | | moving. Not only does increased activity make life |
| immediate aftermath of the stroke, which can be | | | | more fun, but it can prevent the occurrence of |
| quite critical if you are alone at the time the | | | | blood clots that can reach your brain. To keep all |
| stroke happens. Even if you are fortunate to live | | | | your bases covered, you should also take |
| in a place where paramedics can reach you | | | | measures to stop the other type of stroke from |
| quickly, it still helps to know how to handle | | | | occurring. Try to get your breathing patterns |
| yourself if nobody is around to help you. For | | | | evaluated so that you can stay relaxed and keep |
| example, forcing yourself to cough can ensure | | | | your brain's blood vessels intact. |
| that your respiration and heart can remain | | | | |