| Stroke is the third biggest killer and the greatest | | | | Most strokes involve an initial period of differing |
| cause of major disability in New Zealand and in | | | | degrees of unconsciousness or altered |
| most countries around the world. In "developed | | | | consciousness. The deeper and longer lasting the |
| countries" like NZ, after cardiovascular disease and | | | | unconsciousness, the more serious and life |
| cancer, stroke is the third most common cause | | | | threatening the stroke. |
| of death hospitalisation. | | | | On the basis of the information gained from the |
| A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to | | | | assessment and tests such as blood tests to |
| any part of your brain, causing damage and death | | | | check for disease or abnormal clotting, chest |
| to brain cells. Its effects can be devastating and | | | | x-ray to check for any heart or lung |
| may last a lifetime. A stroke is also known as a | | | | abnormalities, an ECG to test the heart function, a |
| cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and is a | | | | treatment programme is worked out. |
| life-threatening event in which part of the brain is | | | | Pharmaceutical treatment: Taking aspirin (Cartia) |
| not getting enough oxygen. It may be due to | | | | or other anti-platelet medications. Aspirin prevents |
| either a prolonged lack of oxygen-rich blood to | | | | abnormal blood clotting (by blocking the |
| the brain (cerebral ischemia) or bleeding into or | | | | cyclo-oxygenase enzyme that produces the |
| around the brain (cerebral haemorrhage). Like any | | | | prostaglandin E2 that is implicated in abnormal |
| other part of your body, your brain needs a | | | | blood clotting). However Aspirin also inhibits |
| constant supply of blood and oxygen for it to | | | | numerous beneficial enzymes and prostaglandins, |
| work. Your brain is quite greedy, requiring almost | | | | as well as causing gastric bleeding. Dr. Mark |
| one third of all the oxygen you breathe in to | | | | Alberts, reported at the 5th World Stroke |
| function well. The blood vessels that carry blood | | | | Congress that 47% of patients demonstrated |
| are a system of tubes and branches of various | | | | aspirin resistance. Results of a recent study |
| sizes. Each area of the brain has its own blood | | | | suggest that almost half of patients hospitalised |
| supply from one of these branches. Once one of | | | | for treatment of ischemic stroke or transient |
| these branches becomes blocked or starved of | | | | ischemic attack (TIA) are "aspirin resistant", and |
| oxygen, damage occurs to the region of the brain | | | | there also was a trend towards more resistance |
| affected. | | | | in patients taking enteric-coated aspirin (Cartia) |
| I dedicate this article to my father, who | | | | compared to uncoated aspirin (73% versus 39%). |
| unfortunately passed away in November 2004 | | | | Diet and stroke It has even been observed in the |
| from a massive stroke at 73. Dad could have | | | | Framingham Heart study, that saturated fats |
| prevented his stroke no doubt, the warning signs | | | | were associated with an actual protective effect |
| were all there for many years, he was | | | | on stroke! The present research suggests that |
| overweight, had high-blood pressure, a poor diet, | | | | the villain for stroke could well be the high intake |
| and was a dedicated smoker. And very | | | | of linoleic acid (LA), the main polyunsaturated |
| frustrating for me - to be able to help so many | | | | fatty acid consumed through the Western world. |
| patients over the years, but I couldn't help my | | | | Observation and intervention studies suggest that |
| own dad. I told my mother years ago that if dad | | | | the fatty acid with the most efficient protective |
| were to go, it would be from a stroke, and made | | | | effect on stroke is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (the |
| the stroke prediction about 5 years prior to his | | | | same as for CHD clinical manifestations). Also |
| passing. So please take heed with the following | | | | similarly to CHD, and folic acid, have important |
| article, or perhaps send it to someone you love | | | | protective effect on stroke. The diet |
| and care about, somebody who could well | | | | recommendations suggested by the Lyon Diet |
| prevent a stroke. Somebody perhaps not aware | | | | Heart Study and the Finland Heart Study |
| they are breeding a preventable disease that can | | | | (Mediterranean diet high in fruit, vegetables, nuts |
| take their life away in a flash. I can still remember | | | | seeds, very moderate red wine, olive oil, oily fish, |
| him telling me this, the last conversation we had | | | | etc.) have both markedly reduced the mortality |
| on the phone: "I'll be alright son, I'm feeling great", | | | | from heart disease, cancer and stroke by more |
| little did he know that a silent killer was lurking | | | | than 50% over a 20 year period. |
| within him, a condition that would render his brain | | | | Alcohol and stroke at a very moderate rate, |
| a useless mass, and take away his life only a few | | | | alcohol may be related to lowering the risk of a |
| days after his massive stroke. When I spoke with | | | | stroke as on that of CHD. Nevertheless alcohol, at |
| the doctor, it became apparent that his brain | | | | high intake for intoxication has been associated |
| bleed was massive and deep-seated, it affected | | | | with up to a 10 fold increased in the risk of |
| his brain stem. Even if he were to recover, there | | | | stroke. |
| would be no recognition of family or friends, poor | | | | Dairy and stroke. |
| or no sight and hearing, and he couldn't even feed | | | | You can ask anyone in my family, my dad loved |
| himself. A once proud man reduced to a mere | | | | ice cream. I since found out that dairy fats can |
| vegetable. My brother and I decided there and | | | | stimulate an enzyme in your blood called xanthine |
| then that our dad would never have wanted to | | | | oxidase, which literally acts like a scalpel inside |
| be like this. So we made the decision there and | | | | your artery walls. It causes tiny nicks and |
| then to switch the machine off. This is the sad | | | | scratches, which eventually lead to weak spots. |
| reality for far too many older people who have | | | | You could liken this to 'pot holes' on a road |
| become complacent about their health in their | | | | surface. But in your body, there is no council truck |
| 'twilight' years. It broke me up, as soon as I got | | | | that comes along every now & then, and |
| home I started to write this article hoping that it | | | | dumps some stuff in the holes. You guessed it - |
| may help to prompt somebody to get their health | | | | the weak spots eventually can literally 'blow out', |
| on track, somebody perhaps out there who is | | | | causing a bleed. Now, if this happens to be in your |
| 70+ like my dad saying to you "I'll be alright, | | | | brain - you have a stroke on your hands. I |
| there's nothing wrong with me" | | | | recommend that people avoid the dairy fats, like |
| Your brain: the body's hard-drive | | | | full-cream milk, cream, and condensed milk (dad's |
| Your brain talks to the rest of your body, and | | | | absolute favourite). Go for low fat dairy |
| receives feedback signals from your body in a | | | | alternatives (0.3% fat) and if possible, skip dairy |
| fashion similar to how your computer operates. | | | | altogether and take a calcium/magnesium |
| Your brain is your body's control centre, a bit like | | | | supplement instead. |
| your computer's hard drive, the "nerve control | | | | Exercise |
| centre" controlling the PC. Your brain's nerve cells | | | | Investigators evaluated exercise habits and stroke |
| are connected to millions of other nerve cells in all | | | | rates over an 11-year period in more than 21,800 |
| parts of your body - some of these send | | | | male physicians aged 40 to 84 years. Men who |
| messages back to the brain, telling it what is | | | | engaged in strenuous exercise only once per |
| happening throughout the body, others carry | | | | week experienced a 21% lower risk of stroke |
| messages from the brain to tell the various body | | | | compared to those who exercised less frequently. |
| organs and systems how to function. Remember | | | | Natural medicines for stroke prevention |
| how frustrated you were when your computer's | | | | There are many herbal and nutritional options for |
| hard-drive crashed? Now what happens when | | | | the treatment as well as prevention of stroke. |
| your brain literally crashes.... perhaps even | | | | Here are some of my favourite. |
| permanently, with no chance of re-booting, or a | | | | Magnesium |
| slim chance of document recovery?...this happens | | | | Magnesium is easily one of the most deficient of |
| to about 20 New Zealanders every single day, | | | | all minerals. Blood vessels supplying the brain are |
| and it is called a stroke. | | | | quite prone to vascular spasm with Mg deficiency, |
| Stroke statistics | | | | vascular spasms occuring may result in stroke. |
| The risk of experiencing a stroke before 70 is | | | | With Mg, cerebral arteries relax causing increased |
| about 5%.o This year, 1800 people will suffer a | | | | cerebral blood flow. Human epidemiological study |
| stroke before retirement age, about 25% of all | | | | demonstrated that magnesium supplementation |
| strokes.o At the current rate, in 30 years time, | | | | may provide significant protection against stroke. |
| on average 60 people a day will suffer a stroke.o | | | | Selenium may protect against the abnormal blood |
| Each person in NZ has a 1 in 8 chance of having a | | | | clotting that can cause stroke. Human study |
| stroke in their lifetime.o On average 20 | | | | demonstrated that persons with low selenium |
| unsuspecting New Zealanders will have a stroke | | | | levels have a 3.7 times greater risk for death |
| every day.o Strokes cost tax payers a massive | | | | from stroke. |
| $138 million per year for hospital services alone.o | | | | Beta-Carotene (50 mg per day) may reduce the |
| About 25% of persons who experience a stroke | | | | risk of stroke by up to 50%. Dietary intake of |
| will die as a result or of complications.o About | | | | beta-carotene was inversely associated with the |
| 50% experience long-term moderate to severe | | | | risk for cerebral infarction. No association was |
| impairment or disability. | | | | detected between other dietary antioxidants and |
| Stroke risk factors | | | | risk for stroke in male smokers. |
| If you have two or more risk factors for stroke | | | | Coenzyme Q10 may help to prevent stroke and |
| then your risk of stroke multiplies. Here are simple | | | | helps to prevent mortality in people who have |
| steps which when taken into account, can | | | | experienced a stroke. Human studies have |
| substantially reduce your risk of getting a stroke: | | | | reported that four weeks of pre-treatment with |
| The major two risk factors are high-blood | | | | coenzyme Q10 before the occurrence of a |
| pressure and smokingo High-blood pressure: get it | | | | stroke caused almost total recovery from a |
| checked regularly, if high, get it treated.o Stop | | | | severe stroke. |
| smoking NOW, particularly if your blood pressure | | | | Folic acid Folic Acid may help to prevent Strokes |
| is high.o Smoking + high blood pressure: means | | | | (by lowering elevated Homocysteine levels). |
| that your risk is at least 18 x higher than normal.o | | | | Studies have found that people with the lowest |
| Smoking + high blood pressure + one other | | | | levels of folic acid (and vitamin B6) have the |
| factor will increase the risk even more | | | | highest risk of stroke. |
| profoundly.o Reduce your alcohol intake, 1 drink a | | | | Alpha Linoleic Acid |
| day for a female, 2 a day for a male is | | | | ALA may help to prevent atherosclerosis, |
| moderation.o Lower your cholesterol and | | | | abnormal blood clotting, high-blood pressure, |
| homocysteine levels. (ask your doctor to do a | | | | ischemic heart disease, and atherosclerosis. |
| fasting test)o Control your weight, don't become | | | | Ginkgo biloba may well enhance the body's ability |
| overweight through inactivity and over-eating.o | | | | to recover from strokes, as well as prevent their |
| Regular exercise program. walking is excellent, | | | | occurrence. Ginkgo biloba results overall in |
| swimming, cycling, etc, there are many forms.o | | | | significant improvement in stroke patients. |
| Watch your diet, your overall health will improve | | | | Conclusion |
| significantly with a healthy diet, and supplement.o | | | | Having a stroke is a very frightening experience, |
| Do you have atrial fibrillation (irregular heart | | | | not only for the victim, but also for their family |
| contractions)? Have treatment. | | | | and friends. What a shock it came to me when I |
| If you have four or more risk factors present | | | | was called up to hear the bad news about my |
| you honestly are an accident waiting to happen. | | | | dad, it was all over for him in a matter of days. |
| Getting rid of even one risk factor can have a | | | | Like a hit and run accident, here today, gone |
| positive impact on your health, whilst reducing | | | | tomorrow. No time to say goodbye. What is |
| your chances of having a stroke over the next | | | | frustrating for health-care professionals is that for |
| few years. The more risk factors you reduce, | | | | most people, some very basic changes in their |
| the slimmer your chance of a future event. | | | | lifestyles such as a healthy diet, weight-loss, an |
| Symptom recognition and treatment | | | | exercise program, and smoking cessation could |
| If you find yourself suffering from any of the | | | | markedly reduce their chances of having a stroke, |
| following, blurred vision, slurred speech or loss of | | | | developing cancer and preventing heart disease. In |
| sensation, contact your doctor. Not all strokes are | | | | view of our "Western" diet, deficient in so many |
| sudden and incapacitating. The sooner medical | | | | minerals and low in vitamins, it also makes sense |
| attention is received, the less damage a stroke | | | | to take a balanced high-quality multi vitamin and |
| will potentially cause. As soon as a person with a | | | | mineral supplement each day. Consult your |
| stroke is stable, therapy is initiated to help the | | | | naturopath, the stroke-prevention specialists, the |
| stroke victim on the long road to rehabilitation. | | | | sooner you start changing your diet and lifestyle, |
| Generally a person with a stroke is admitted to | | | | the sooner the risk factors decrease. Stroke |
| an acute medical ward or a stroke unit for initial | | | | self-assessment cards are available from many |
| testing and treatment. Later they may be | | | | pharmacies in NZ as part of the Stroke Appeal. |
| transferred to a specialised stroke rehab ward. | | | | |