Stroke; Causes, Types, Symptoms & Prevention

It’s quite unfortunate that several persons who go on retirement spend their rest of their lives battling diseases and sicknesses, most of which is stroke. In Ghana, stroke is quite common in men who attain 60 years and above.

In today’s article, we will be looking at the meaning of stroke itself, causes of such sickness, symptoms and how to prevent stroke. Most people do have a general idea that eating badly or smoking usually results in stroke, and for that matter they do the needful. However, they still find themselves in this sickness. Below is a clear explanation of everything you need to know about stroke.

Meaning of Stroke

Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, or when there’s a blockage in the blood supply to the brain. The rupture or blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain’s tissues. According to health researchers, stroke is one a leading cause of death in Ghana, amongst adults and also in the United States. Without oxygen, brain cells and tissue become damaged and begin to die within minutes.

Types Of Stroke
There are three primary types of strokes:

1. Transient ischemic attack involves a blood clot that typically reverses on its own.
2. Ischemic stroke involves a blockage caused by either a clot or plaque in the artery. The symptoms and complications of ischemic stroke can last longer than those of a TIA, or may become permanent.
3. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by either a burst or leaking blood vessel that seeps into the brain.

SYMPTOMS

The loss of blood flow to the brain damages tissues within the brain. Symptoms of a stroke show up in the body parts controlled by the damaged areas of the brain. The sooner a person having a stroke gets care, the better their outcome is likely to be. For this reason, it’s helpful to know the signs of a stroke so you can act quickly. Stroke symptoms can include:

1. Paralysis

Numbness or weakness in the arm, face, and leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Trouble speaking or understanding others
3. Slurred speech
4. confusion, disorientation, or lack of responsiveness
5. sudden behavioral changes, especially increased agitation
6. Vision problems, such as trouble seeing in one or both eyes with vision blackened or blurred, or double vision
7. Trouble walking
8. Loss of balance or coordination
9. Dizziness
10. severe, sudden headache with an unknown cause
11. Seizures
12. Nausea or vomiting

A stroke requires immediate medical attention. If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, call 112 in Ghana or local emergency services right away. Prompt treatment is key to preventing the following outcomes:

It’s better to be overly cautious when dealing with a stroke, so don’t be afraid to get emergency medical help if you think you recognize the signs of a stroke..

CAUSES OF STROKE

1. High blood pressure.

Your doctor may call it hypertension. It’s the biggest cause of strokes. If your blood pressure is typically 130/80 or higher, your doctor will discuss treatments with you.

2. Smoking

Smoking or chewing it raises your odds of a stroke. Nicotine makes your blood pressure go up. Cigarette smoke causes a fatty buildup in your main neck artery. It also thickens your blood and makes it more likely to clot. Even secondhand smoke can affect you.

3. Heart disease.

This condition includes defective heart valves as well as atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat, which causes a quarter of all strokes among the very elderly. You can also have clogged arteries from fatty deposits.

4. Diabetes

People who have it often have high blood pressure and are more likely to be overweight. Both raise the chance of a stroke. Diabetes damages your blood vessels, which makes a stroke more likely. If you have a stroke when your blood sugar levels are high, the injury to your brain is greater.

5. Medications

Some medicines can raise your chances of stroke. For instance, blood-thinning drugs, which doctors suggest to prevent blood clots, can sometimes make a stroke more likely through bleeding. Studies have linked hormone therapy, used for menopause symptoms like hot flashes, with a higher risk of strokes. And low-dose estrogen in birth control pills may also make your odds go up

6. Age

Anyone could have a stroke, even babies in the womb. Generally, your chances go up as you get older. They double every decade after age 55.

7. Family

Strokes can run in families. You and your relatives may share a tendency to get high blood pressure or diabetes. Some strokes can be brought on by a genetic disorder that blocks blood flow to the brain

8. Gender.

Women are slightly less likely to have a stroke than men of the same age. But women have strokes at a later age, which make them less likely to recover and more likely to die as a result

PREVENTION

Lifestyle changes can’t prevent all strokes. But many of these changes can make a radical difference when it comes to lowering your risk of stroke.

These changes include the following:

1. Quit smoking.

If you smoke, quitting now will lower your risk of stroke. You can reach out to your doctor to create a quit plan.

2. Limit alcohol use.

Heavy alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of stroke. If reducing your intake is difficult, reach out to your doctor for help.
3. Keep a moderate weight.

Overweight and obesity increases the risk of stroke. To help manage your weight, eat a balanced diet and stay physically active more often than not. Both steps can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

4. Get regular checkups.

Talk with your doctor about how often to get a checkup for blood pressure, cholesterol, and any conditions you may have. They can also support you in making these lifestyle changes and offer guidance.