For the continuation of my healthy blog, We will tackle about Cerebrovascular disease also known as stroke or brain attack. This is one of the top 5 reasons of death here in our country. I know that this is kind of a boring topic to all of us, but, being familiar with this kinds of diseases will also help us to know the importance of having a Good and healthy lifestyle.
CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE (stroke/brain attack)
- Definition: A rapidly developing loss of the brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain.
A. Ischemic: due to interruption the blood supply in the brain.
B.Hemorrhagic: Due to the rupture of a blood vessel or abnormal vascular structure.
*80% of strokes are due to Ischemia the remainders are due to hemorrhagic*
>Advance age
>Hypertension (high blood pressure)
>Diabetes
>High Cholesterol
>Cigarette smoking
>Thrombophilia (a tendency to thrombosis)
*In clinical practice, blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of the stroke.*
>Hemiplegia and muscle weakness of the face
>Numbness
>Reduction in sensory or vibratory sensation
>Altered smell, taste, hearing, or vision (total or partial)
>Dropping of eyelid (ptosis) and weakness of ocular muscles
>Decreased reflexes: gag, swallow, pupil reactive to light
>Decreased sensation and muscle weakness of the face
>Balance problems and nystagmus
>Altered breathing and heart rate
>Inability to turn head to one side
>Weakness in tongue (inability to protrude and move from side to side)
>Aphasia or inability to speak or understand language
>Apraxia or altered voluntary movements
>Visual field defect
>Memory defecit
>Trouble walking
>Altered movement
>Vertigo
*Strokes don't have to happen! STROKES can be prevented by avoiding the things which cause them known as "RISK FACTORS".*
Lifestyle changes can help you prevent or slow the progression of any vascular disease.
- STOP SMOKING: Smoking can damage your arteries. If you smoke, quitting is the best way to halt the progression of artherosclerosis and reduce your risk of complication.
- Get moving: Regular exercises can condition your muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. Physical activity can also improve circulation and promote development of new blood vessels that form a natural bypass around obstructions.
- Eat Healthy Foods: A heart-to-hert diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains - and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium - can help you control your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Manage stress: Reduce stress as such as possible. Practice healthy techniques for managing stress, such as muscles relaxation and deep breathing.
-If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or another chronic disease, work with your doctor to manage the condition and promote overall health.
