| Besides cancer and heart diseases, stroke is the | | | | malformation, tumors and infection.The most |
| third leading cause of death. Approximate 1/4 of | | | | effective treatment is to proceed with |
| all stroke victims die as a direct result of the | | | | microsurgical clipping of the lesion. This stroke |
| stroke or it's complications. Stroke is caused by | | | | causes paralysis of all limbs, unconsciousness and |
| uncontrolled diet that is high in saturated and trans | | | | bleeding into the cerebellum produceing typical |
| fats resulting in cholesterol build up in the arteries | | | | signs of in coordination with headache and |
| and high blood pressure. In other words, if | | | | stiffness of the neck. |
| cholesterol building up in the arteries is blocking the | | | | Click here for more information |
| circulation of blood in any part of the body causing | | | | V. Prevention and Treatment |
| oxygen not to be delivered to the brain, resulting | | | | A. With Foods |
| in some cells in the brain to die off and are unable | | | | 1. Cold water fish |
| reproduce, then we have stroke. Other strokes | | | | Cold water fish such as salmon and tuna contains |
| happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures | | | | high amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that |
| causing the cells in your brain to be deprived of | | | | can help to reduce the cholesterol clotting up in |
| oxygen in your blood, they die and never come | | | | the arteries and blood vessels in the brain in result |
| back. | | | | of lowering blood pressure and the risk of stroke. |
| I. Causes of Stroke | | | | 2. Almonds |
| There are similar causes of stroke and heart | | | | Almonds contain high amounts of vitamin E and |
| diseases, but in stroke the result is more severe. | | | | other minerals that can help to reduce the levels |
| Any delay of rescuing will result in death of the | | | | of bad cholesterol and maintain healthy blood flow |
| victim. Here are some causes of stroke: | | | | in the body. |
| 1. Unhealthy diet | | | | 3. Blueberries |
| A diet high in saturated and trans fats causes bad | | | | Blueberries contain the highest antioxidant capacity |
| cholesterol to build up in your blood vessels in the | | | | because of their large anthocyanin concentration |
| brain, blocking oxygen needed for the cells thus | | | | that helps to prevent heart disease and stroke by |
| increasing the risk of stroke. Also unhealthy diet | | | | reducing the build up of bad cholesterol LDL. |
| causes high blood pressure making your heart | | | | 4. Apples |
| work harder to pump blood to your body in result | | | | Apples are loaded with brain-protecting quercetin. |
| of heart diseases. High blood pressure also causes | | | | It also contains high amounts of antioxidants and |
| the blood vessels in your brain to harden and thin, | | | | chemicals that help to protect cells throughout the |
| increasing the risk of stroke. | | | | body, particularly the brain and the heart. |
| 2. Smoking | | | | 5. Apricots |
| Smoking not only has a devastating effect on the | | | | Phytochemicals in apricots can help to protect the |
| health of the smoker but also to anyone that | | | | heart and eye as well prevent stroke. The beta |
| inhales its toxic fumes. Cigarettes contain high | | | | carotene as we mentioned in a previous article |
| levels of cadmium that causes the blood to clot | | | | can help to lower the level of bad cholesterol in |
| activity of cells in result of blocking blood flow and | | | | the arteries, thus reducing the risk of heart |
| damaging the blood vessels in the brain. | | | | diseases and stroke. |
| 3. Excessive drinking | | | | 6. Carrot |
| Moderate drinking is good for your heart, but | | | | (See Apricots) |
| excessive drinking can raise levels of some fats in | | | | 7. Kiwi Fruit |
| your blood causing cholesterol to build up in the | | | | Kiwi fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, |
| arteries and blood vessels in the brain resulting in | | | | potassium, magnesium and antioxidants that are |
| increase of the risk of stroke. | | | | good for the heart and immune system as well |
| 4. Diabetes | | | | as preventing stroke. |
| People with diabetes tend to develop heart | | | | 8. Rice bran |
| disease or have strokes at an earlier age than | | | | Rice bran contains high amounts of omega 3 and |
| other people. Diabetes with unhealthy diet causes | | | | 6 fatty acids and nutritional dietary fiber that help |
| high blood glucose levels that damage nerves and | | | | to lower levels of cholesterol in the arteries and |
| blood vessels, leading to complications such as | | | | reduce the risk of stroke and heart diseases. |
| heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of | | | | 9. Oat bran |
| death among people with diabetes. | | | | Oat bran is high in beta glucans that has proven |
| 5. Obesity - a body mass index of 30 or higher | | | | effective in lowering the LDL as well as reducing |
| Study shows that even after adjusting for other | | | | the risk of stoke |
| stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, | | | | B. With Nutritional Supplements |
| diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, cardiac | | | | 1. B-complex |
| diseases, moderate alcohol consumption, and | | | | Three B-vitamins: folate, B-6, and B-12 can lower |
| physical activity; obesity is still associated with a | | | | homocysteine, an amino acid that is found |
| greatest risk of stroke in men and women. | | | | naturally in the body and study shows that the |
| 6. Use of birth control pills | | | | higher the level of homocysteine in the blood, the |
| Birth control pills contain estrogen and one of two | | | | higher the risk of stroke. |
| other hormones, lynestrenol or norethisterone | | | | 2. Beta-carotene |
| that increase the risk of blood clotting, which can | | | | Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that may reduce |
| lead to ischemic stroke especially in woman who | | | | oxidative stress to brain cells. Such stress occurs |
| smoke and who are older than 35. | | | | when highly volatile forms of oxygen damage cell |
| There are many other causes of stroke such as | | | | structure. Study shows that beta- carotene helps |
| heart diseases that we have discussed lengthily in | | | | to reduce the risk against cerebral infraction and |
| the heart diseases articles. | | | | stroke. |
| II. Symptoms of Stroke | | | | 3. Vitamin E |
| Here are some symptoms of strokes: | | | | Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to reduce |
| 1. Sudden trouble in standing | | | | arterial clotting. |
| Sudden trouble in standing is an early symptom of | | | | 4. Selenium |
| stroke as a result of circulation of blood that | | | | Selenium is a powerful agent that helps to keep |
| carries oxygen to suddenly deplete caused by | | | | tissues and arteries elastic. It also helps to reduce |
| narrowing of arteries and high blood pressure. | | | | the stickiness of the blood and decreases the risk |
| 2. Dizziness and loss of balance | | | | of clotting, in turn lowering the risk of heart |
| The brain coordinates information from the eyes, | | | | attack and stroke. Selenium increases the ratio of |
| the inner ear, and the body's sense to maintain | | | | HDL (good) cholesterol to LDL (bad) cholesterol. |
| balance. If the cells of that part of the brain get | | | | 5. Pycnogenol |
| damaged in result of depleted oxygen will cause | | | | Pycnogenol helps to keep collagen elastic and |
| dizziness and loss of balance. | | | | soften the blood platelets, making blood flow |
| 3. Sudden confusion | | | | more efficiently. |
| A sudden onset of confusion means that | | | | 6. Co enzyme Q-10 |
| something is potentially going wrong with the brain. | | | | Co enzyme is a strong antioxidant that not only |
| Almost all conditions that affect the brain are | | | | protects low density lipoprotein LDL against |
| life-threatening. It might be caused by a tumor or | | | | oxidants, but also helps for getting oxygen to the |
| low levels of oxygen in the cells of the cerebral | | | | cells. |
| cortex in your brain that affect your ability to | | | | 7. Lecithin |
| think with your usual speed or clarity. It might also | | | | Lecithin is a fat-like substance called a phospholipid |
| be caused by lowered blood sugar, as is the case | | | | that helps to remove bad cholesterol and other |
| of diabetes. | | | | lipids from the body. It also protects the arteries |
| 4. Having trouble speaking and understanding | | | | and organs from the build up of fatty tissue that |
| Having trouble speaking and understanding occurs | | | | can lead to stroke or heart attack. |
| when the brain cells in the area of the broca, | | | | 8. Melatonin |
| wernicke and angular ayrus in the left hemisphere | | | | Melatonin is a neurohormone produced in our body |
| area begin to die because they stop getting the | | | | by the pineal gland. It is a powerful antioxidant |
| oxygen and nutrients they need to function. | | | | that easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier and |
| 6. Sudden severe headaches | | | | is used to treat thrombotic stroke. |
| Headache is a condition of pain in the head, | | | | 9. Vitamin C |
| sometimes neck or upper back pain may also be | | | | Vitamin C helps to strengthen the arterial wall, |
| interpreted as a headache. It ranks amongst the | | | | lowering the risk of heart diseases and stroke. |
| most common local pain complaints and may be | | | | C. With Herbs |
| frequent for many people but sudden severe | | | | 1.Ginkgo biloba |
| headaches may be caused by an early symptom | | | | The herb is extracted from the leaves of the |
| of heart disease as we mentioned in previous | | | | ginkgo biloba tree and was first used medicinally in |
| articles, by rupturing a brain vessel or depletion of | | | | China more than 4,000 years ago. Ginkgo biloba |
| oxygen in some parts of the brain. | | | | has the ability to increase the oxygen content to |
| 7. Sudden trouble seeing | | | | the brain and other bodily tissues, improving |
| This may be an early indication of stroke when | | | | circulation of blood and improving cerebral |
| the oxygen in the blood supply to the part of the | | | | tolerance to hypoxia. Study shows that taking |
| brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood | | | | Ginkgo and other blood thinner medications |
| vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into cells | | | | together may increase the risk of heart diseases |
| that control the vision area of the cerebral cortex | | | | and stroke. Be sure to consult with your doctor |
| in the brain. | | | | before taking ginkgo biloba. |
| III. The Risk Factors | | | | 2. Hawthorn |
| 1. Age | | | | Hawthorn contains cardiotonic amines, polyphenols, |
| Human aging is the biological process that is | | | | and is a source of Vitamins C, B, and many other |
| unavoidable but controllable. Starting at age 40, | | | | nutrients that help in relaxing and dilating arteries, |
| the cells in our body begin this process causing | | | | increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to and |
| the deterioration of some functions of our body. | | | | from the heart and maintaining healthy blood |
| Most people of this age group already have some | | | | pressure resulting in lowered risk of stroke. |
| form of cholesterol building up in their arteries and | | | | 3. Garlic |
| high blood pressure resulting in an increased risk of | | | | Garlic contains high amounts of antioxidants and |
| stroke. | | | | elements that help to improve blood circulation. It |
| 2. Heredity | | | | is dangerous to take garlic extract together with |
| People with a family history of stroke have a | | | | blood thinner medications as we mentioned in a |
| greater chance of stroke than those do not have | | | | previous article. |
| such a family history. | | | | 4. Cayenne |
| 3. Race | | | | Cayenne contains an active ingredient called |
| Because of frequent high blood pressure in | | | | capsaicin that has the abilities to lower blood |
| African Americans, they have a significantly higher | | | | pressure and cholesterol levels as well as |
| risk of stroke than their Caucasian counterparts. | | | | preventing heart diseases and stroke. |
| 4. High blood pressure | | | | 5. Blueberries |
| High blood pressure causes hardening and thinning | | | | Blueberries are one of the richest food sources of |
| of arterial walls and makes our heart work harder | | | | natural antioxidants readily available, having more |
| to pump blood throughout our body resulting in | | | | than twice the levels of other berries that helps |
| heart diseases as well as increasing the risk of | | | | to prevent heart disease, stroke and internal |
| stroke. | | | | bleeding. |
| 5. Smoking | | | | 6. Pigweed |
| Smokers may be exposed to toxic cadmium, | | | | Pigweed is an excellent plant-source of calcium. It |
| causing high blood pressure and heart diseases as | | | | helps lower one-third of the risk of succumbing to |
| well as contributing to a higher risk of stroke. | | | | heart attack. Personally, I believe these results |
| 6. Excessive alcohol consumption | | | | also apply to ischemic strokes, because they are |
| Drinking one cup of wine for women and 2 cups | | | | biologically so similar to heart attack. |
| of wine for men might help to increase the | | | | 7. Willow bark |
| circulation of blood as well as providing more | | | | Willow bark has been shown in several studies to |
| oxygen for cells. However, excessive drinking not | | | | reduce the risk of ischemic stroke by about 18 |
| only damages the normal function of liver but also | | | | percent. Study shows that willow bark has the |
| raises high blood pressure, increasing the risk of | | | | aspirin's ability to prevent heart attacks, and also |
| stroke. | | | | shows a slight increase in risk of hemorrhagic |
| 7. Diabetes | | | | stroke from taking willow bark daily but the |
| Diabetes with unhealthy diet causes high levels of | | | | increase was small and not statistically significant. |
| glucose in the bloodstream. Diabetics have a | | | | 8. Ginger |
| greater risk of stroke, because high levels of | | | | This is another herb proven to have anti-clotting |
| glucose damage the arterial wall as well as clotting | | | | abilities and has the same function as garlic. |
| the arteries and blood vessels. | | | | D. With Chinese Acupuncture and Herbs |
| 8. Gender | | | | 1. Acupuncture |
| Males have a 20% greater risk of stroke than | | | | Acupuncture is the most popular treatment |
| females. | | | | modality for stroke patients in China, used |
| IV. Types of Strokes | | | | effectively on 85% of the stroke patients there. |
| There are 2 types of strokes: | | | | The recently acceptance of acupuncture by |
| 1. Ischemic stroke caused by a clot or other | | | | western medical practitioners allows one more |
| blockage within an artery leading to the brain. | | | | effective method in curing diseases especially |
| 2. Hemorrhagic stroke caused by the vessel in the | | | | stroke. Study shows that acupuncture helps to |
| brain rupturing in result of blood leaking into the | | | | facilitate nerve regeneration, decrease blood |
| brain. | | | | viscosity, as well as helping surviving nerve cells |
| 1. Ischemic stroke | | | | find new pathways, effectively bypassing |
| This is the most common type of stroke | | | | damaged parts of the brain resulting in decreased |
| accounting for almost 80% of all strokes. The | | | | risk of stroke. |
| brain depends on its arteries to bring fresh blood | | | | 2. Ginkgo biloba (bai guo ye). |
| from the heart and lungs. The blood carries | | | | Ginkgo biloba improves mental functioning as well |
| oxygen and nutrients to the brain, and takes | | | | as preventing blood cells from forming blood clots |
| away carbon dioxide and cellular waste. If an | | | | in the brain. Study shows that ginkgo improves |
| artery is blocked then the brain cells may not | | | | blood circulation and lowers plasma cholesterol |
| receive enough oxygen. They then cannot make | | | | concentrations that help to lower the risk of |
| enough energy and will eventually stop working. | | | | stroke. |
| There are 2 types of Ischemic | | | | 3. Gastrodia |
| strokea)Thrombotic stroke. | | | | Gastrodia was listed in the ancient Shennong |
| If blood clots from the inside of the arteries of | | | | Bencao Jing (ca. 100 A.D.) and was later classified |
| the brain, we have thrombic stroke. | | | | by Tao Hong as a superior herb, meaning that it |
| Study shows that this type of stroke is | | | | could be taken for a long time to protect health |
| responsible for almost 50% of all strokes. The | | | | and prolong life, as well as for treating illnesses. |
| most common problem is narrowing off the | | | | Gastrodia is used by Chinese herbalist in treating |
| arteries in the neck or head. Thrombotic stroke | | | | stroke and chronic weaknesses of Qi that |
| are also sometimes referred to as large-artery | | | | eventually blocks the flow of blood to the brain. |
| strokes. The process leading to thrombotic stroke | | | | 4. Cinnamon bark |
| is complex and occurs over time. Thrombotic | | | | True Cinnamon is one form of the common spice. |
| stroke might be caused by the arterial walls | | | | As we discussed before, cinnamon helps to lower |
| slowly thickening and hardening as a result of | | | | blood sugar by mimicking insulin, activating insulin |
| arteries being injured. Such injures signal the | | | | receptors and working with insulin in the cells to |
| immune system to release white blood cells to | | | | reduce blood sugar by up to 20%. Also cinnamon |
| the site causing stroke. Thrombotic stroke also | | | | has some antioxidant benefits that helps to find |
| occurs when the inner wall of arteries were | | | | new pathways for surviving nerve cells after |
| injured in result of less nitric oxide being produced, | | | | stroke. |
| causing the hardening of the arteries. If the blood | | | | 5. Angelica |
| clot then blocks the already narrowed artery and | | | | Angelica can help to warm up the chest-yang to |
| shuts off oxygen to part of the brain, we have a | | | | remove obstruction of blood flow in the heart |
| thrombotic stroke.b) Embolic stroke | | | | vessels as well as brain vessels. |
| If blood clotted in other parts of the body's | | | | 6. Dragon's Blood |
| arteries subsequently entering the brain, we have | | | | Dragon's Blood is used for increased power, |
| embolic stroke. In this case the clot was formed | | | | purification, protection, consecration, and the |
| somewhere other than in the brain itself. | | | | development of strong ritual energy. It also helps |
| The clot then travels the bloodstream until they | | | | to relieve pain in the heart due to blood stagnation |
| become lodged and can not travel any further. | | | | and stimulate blood circulation to the brain resulting |
| This naturally restricts the flow of blood to the | | | | in decreased risk of stroke. |
| brain and results in embolic stroke. An embolic | | | | There are many other Chinese herbs that can |
| stroke occurs when a blood clot or other particle | | | | help to prevent and treat stroke such as ginger |
| forms in a blood vessel away from your brain. It | | | | root, mantis egg case, and tortoise plastron. |
| is usually caused by a dislodged blood clot that has | | | | Please consult with your doctor before taking any |
| traveled through the blood vessels until it | | | | Chinese herb because some of these herbs may |
| becomes wedged in an artery. It is also caused | | | | have side effects. |
| by irregular beating in the heart's two upper | | | | E. With Common Sense Approaches |
| chambers. This abnormal heart rhythm can lead | | | | 1. A healthy Diet |
| to poor blood flow and the formation of a blood | | | | Uncontrolled diet that is high in saturated fat and |
| clot. | | | | trans fat results in cholesterol building up in the |
| 2. Hemorrhagic stroke | | | | arteries and blood vessels obstructing the flow of |
| Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel | | | | blood and damaging brain cells because of lack of |
| bursts inside the brain, causing an increase of the | | | | oxygen causing stroke. If we can consume less |
| fluid pressure on the brain and harms the brain by | | | | of processed foods, fatty animal meats and avoid |
| pressing it against the skull. Hemorrhagic stroke is | | | | artificial chemicals and consume more healthy |
| associated with high blood pressure, which | | | | vegetables and fruits, we can reduce the risk of |
| stresses the arterial walls until they break. | | | | stroke. |
| There are 2 types of hemorrhagic strokes:a) | | | | 2. Put on a happy face |
| Intracerebral hemorrhage: | | | | Study shows that people with depression have an |
| Intracerebral hemorrhage is internal bleeding that | | | | increased risk of stroke. Experts also found that |
| can happen in any part of the brain. Blood may | | | | people with elevated levels of depression will |
| accumulate in the brain tissues itself, or in the | | | | increase the risk of stroke by 73%. |
| space between the brain and the membranes | | | | 3. Exercise |
| covering it. Most commonly the problem arises in | | | | Regular moderate exercise will help to improve |
| the small arterial inside the brain which have been | | | | circulation of blood flow and lessen the risk of |
| diseased causing these tiny blood vessels to start | | | | stroke that is caused by clogged blood vessels by |
| to leak. Since the actual source of the bleeding is | | | | 30% because regular walking helps to lower high |
| often small, it can take time for the blood to build | | | | blood pressure and increase levels of HDL. |
| up resulting in symptoms of an intracerebral | | | | 4. Quit Smoking |
| hemorrhage and often increases over minutes or | | | | Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals cadmium |
| hours. People may not notice the problems | | | | together with heavy metals that cause blood |
| associated with bleeding into the brain and | | | | clotting in the arteries resulting in increased high |
| ischemic strokes.b) Subarachnoid hemorrhage | | | | blood pressure and risk of heart diseases as well |
| Hemorrhagic strokes that cause bleeding into the | | | | as stroke. |
| fluid filled spaces located deep in the brain are | | | | 5. Reduce intake of alcohol |
| called subarachnoid hemorrhage. Subarachnoid | | | | Excessive drinking increases high blood pressure, |
| hemorrhage may occur at any age but is most | | | | thus increasing the likelihood of stroke. |
| common from age 40 to 65. It is caused by the | | | | I hope this information will help. If you need more |
| presence of blood within the subarachnoid space | | | | information of the above subject, please visit my |
| from some pathological processes a result of | | | | home page at: |
| ruptured aneurysms and bleeding may stop | | | | Kyle J. Norton |
| spontaneously. Other causes include vascular | | | | All rights reserved. |