| Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the | | | | Loss of speech and understanding of language. |
| United States. It's also is leading cause of disability | | | | If you see any of these signs, especially in older |
| especially in older people. A stroke occurs when | | | | people you should immediate call a doctor. Time is |
| blood is deprived from the brain for even the | | | | crucial, the longer the symptoms occur the more |
| shortest of time. | | | | damage can happen. Tests should immediately be |
| There are 2 main types of stroke, ischemic and | | | | performed as different types of stroke are |
| hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke happens when | | | | treated in different ways. |
| the supply of blood to the brain is blocked by a | | | | A stroke doesn't just happen out of the blue. |
| blood clot this comes in 2 forms. | | | | About 80% of strokes are ischemic. These are |
| An embolic stroke happens when the blood clot | | | | usually due to atherosclerosis. This is where plaque |
| occurs in the brain and a thrombotic clot occurs | | | | builds up on the inner walls of the arteries making |
| when a clot develops in some other part of the | | | | them much smaller. |
| body and travels to the brain where it can get | | | | This in turn increases blood pressure as in order |
| stuck and blocks blood flow. | | | | for the same amount of blood to travel through a |
| A hemorrhagic stroke happens when the blood | | | | smaller hole the blood flow must increase. This |
| vessels in or near the brain rupture and blood | | | | shrinking of the arteries makes it easier for blood |
| leaks into the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes also | | | | clots to create blockages and prevent blood from |
| come in 2 forms, subarachnoid and intracerebral. | | | | reaching the brain. |
| The first one happens when blood is released into | | | | A healthy life style is vital in the preventing of |
| the space between the brain and the skull. The | | | | stroke. This means plenty of exercise and a low |
| second occurs when a blood vessel ruptures | | | | calorie diet. Lots of fruit and vegetables with very |
| inside the brain and blood leaks out into the | | | | few saturated fats. Supplements can also be very |
| surrounding tissue. | | | | helpful in providing nutrients that you may not be |
| A stroke can have some devastating effects. | | | | getting from the food you're eating. Some |
| These can be put into 4 categories | | | | nutrients such as resveratrol which can help |
| Paralysis - Total paralysis or weakness of one | | | | prevent diseases like atherosclerosis are not |
| side of the body can happen with other effects | | | | found in many foods so you may not get any of |
| such as loss of bladder control. | | | | this in your regular diet. |
| Thinking, loss of memory and spacial awareness - | | | | If you decide to choose a dietary supplement be |
| The ability to concentrate, judge distances and | | | | very careful which ones you select. Many |
| memory can be affected. | | | | companies make exaggerated claims about their |
| Mental health - personality changes, depression | | | | products so do your research. A good place to |
| and control of emotions can all be affected | | | | start is with the ones I use. A link to their website |
| Aphasia - The ability to speak, write and | | | | can be found at the bottom of this page. |
| understand language can all be affected. | | | | There's never been a better time to start looking |
| So what are the warning signs? | | | | after your health than right now this minute. If |
| Weakness, numbness and loss of use of one side | | | | you want to avoid some of the horrible |
| of the body. | | | | consequences mentioned above then there's no |
| Sudden blindness, dizziness, loss of balance or | | | | better way than plenty of exercise, a healthy diet |
| coordination. | | | | and a good supplement for any nutrients you |
| Severe headache. | | | | may not be getting form food. |