Early detection and prompt treatment of stroke is vital in preventing death and disability, so it is very important for everyone to know how to quickly identify the early warning signs of this silent killer.Anyone can have a stroke hence the challenge lies in educating as many people as possible about stroke’s earliest warning signs and symptoms, so patients can get the immediate treatment they need.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for stroke are poor cholesterol level, high blood pressure and excess weight because diet high in saturated fats and trans fat can raise blood cholesterol levels.
Diet high in sodium can contribute to increased blood pressure and high calorie diet can contribute to excess weight (Obesity).
In recognizing a stroke, there are symptoms that include:
- Trouble seeing or blurry vision
- Difficulty speaking or confusion; stroke can impair the ability to express yourself or understand speech. To recognize a stroke individual ask the person to repeat a simple sentence coherently. If he or she has problem repeating the sentence, the person need immediate medical attention.
- Weak arm or leg. Ask the individual to extend both arms (palms up) for 10 seconds. If one arm drifts downward, that indicates muscle weakness, a sign of stroke.
- Dizziness or loss of balance; if you are dizzy, nauseous or have trouble walking, people may think you are intoxicated when, in fact you are having stroke.
- Painful, severe headache with no known cause.
- Face drooping; does one side of the face drop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile, if he or she has trouble smiling, go for immediate medical attention.
- Stroke has a new indicator, the tongue. Ask the person to stick out his tongue. If the tongue is crooked, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
Stroke Prevention
To prevent stroke is to imbibe in healthy food habits that can reduce the risk factors for stroke.
A balanced diet with five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce the risk of stroke.
Vitamins and minerals when they bind with enzymes they become activated and helps in the circulation of nutrients and oxygen-rich blood, thereby improving health and encouraging the normal shape and distinctive separation of red blood cells for easy delivery of nutrients, oxygen, hormones and antibodies to the tissue cells.
Also do some exercises and avoid smoking among others.
In summary, if the Red Blood Cells are normal, they deliver oxygen-rich blood through the blood vessels to the brain or heart, encouraging optimum health.
There will be no place for blood clot, blockage, rupture or bleeding, hence, no Stroke or cardiovascular disorder.