What is a Stroke?
It is a sudden lack of blood to a part of the brain.
Due to a blockage in the vessels meant to deliver blood to your brain. It can also be caused by a bleed of the vessels meant to carry blood to your brain .
Is there a warning sign?
You may have temporary ,
brief episodes of weakness in an arm or leg,
or a droop in your face or
temporary loss of vision in an eye that resolves on its own weeks before the stroke.
These may be the warning signs that you will have a stroke soon. See the doctor if you have these signs. You may need some medication.
Commonly used medicines in people who have had a warning of a stroke include- blood thinners like Aspirin or Clopidogrel , blood pressure tablets and cholesterol tablets
In some cases, there are NO warning signs before a permanent stroke.
A stroke can happen anywhere and at any time without warning.
Signs of a stroke
There are 4 Main signs of a stroke
a) Facial droop- one side of your face will not move if you try to smile. You may even notice that you start drooling on that side. Look at the picture and notice the way the corner of his lips are not similar when asked to smile.
b) You have trouble speaking because the muscles you use to speak are paralyzed or the part of your brain that helps you speak is affected
Your weak on your (3)arm or (4) leg or both.
This can make you fall, if you were sitting or standing.
If you ask the person to lift their arm or leg, they are unable.
Other signs of a stroke;
Becoming unsteady on your feet
Loss of vision/inability to see
Very severe headache
Word finding difficulty
What to expect
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Complete recovery can occur after a stroke. This depends on many factors. The part you can play in it is to ensure you or your loved one recognize it early and act on it immediately.
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Some people will end up with inability to speak or use a hand or leg or walk or eat or perform their daily functions.
Recovery of some of these functions is possible but it takes time because of the slow nature of our brains to recover from injury.
Exercise patience and encourage the person who had a stroke as they undergo rehabilitation.
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A massive stroke can lead to death. If one suffers a massive stroke, this can affect the part of the brain that controls breathing and cause death.
What causes a stroke?
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Diabetes can increase the amount of fat deposited in your vessels and predispose you to a stroke.
Good control of blood sugar (less than 10 after most meals) will help you reduce your chances of stroke.
Other solutions;
Use your medications
Correct diet-low carbs/sugar
Exercise at least for 30min for 5 days a week
Quit alcohol and smoking
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High blood pressure can cause a stroke.
High blood pressure is pressure over 140/90.
Having high blood pressure on most days increases the chances of the vessels in your brain rupturing. It also damages the vessels supplying blood to the brain increasing the chances of a stroke.
Solution;
Eat less salt
Quit alcohol
More vegetables in your diet
Exercise at least 30min,for 5 days a week
Take medications to reduce blood pressure
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Smoking causes reduced oxygen to the brain.
It damages the blood vessels taking blood to the brain by causing deposits of fat in the walls.
Smoking after a stroke increases your chance of having another stroke.
A subsequent stroke maybe worse than the original and even end your life.
Solution; Quit smoking
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Drinking alcohol can cause your heart to beat irregularly, which can cause clots to be irregularly sent off into your vessels and increase the risk of a stroke.
Alcohol also causes an increase in your blood pressure which can cause a stroke.
Solution;
Quit alcohol.
Speak to your doctor who may start you on medication for your irregular heart.
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Eating high cholesterol or unhealthy foods causes deposits of fat in your vessels and can lead to stroke.
Solution;
Eat healthy foods like vegetables and fruits and less foods that are unhealthy
Quit drinking alcohol and smoking
Exercise regularly
Take cholesterol lowering medication if needed
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Your cells can form an s shape/sickle shape in your vessels and stick to each other causing a blockage in the vessels. This can cause a stroke.
Solutions;
Avoid dehydration
Use hydroxyurea as prescribed
Have any infections treated and fever treated
See your doctor if your blood is low-(you will feel dizzy, tired , breathless).You may need a blood top up.
How stroke affects everyone
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Life may change significantly for the person who has a stroke.
A small stroke may have nearly no symptoms.
For most other strokes these changes include;
Inability to perform some activities that they do could before, like speaking or walking or using their hands or driving.
They may be more tired than usual.
Mood changes such as feeling depressed or anxious
Lack of control of their urine or bowels.
Trouble seeing or swallowing.
Becoming more erratic in behavior or more aggressive.
Loss of the ability to learn or remember things or have sexual relations.
This is often a major change for the patient and can lead to depression and helplessness. They will need a lot of support to overcome this.
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The impacts of a stroke on the family include;
Loss of a breadwinner and parent
Financial strain
Increased demands to care for the sick person
Another family member maybe forced to step in to be the provider
Emotional stress
When to drive after a stroke
It is recommended that you do not drive immediately after a stroke.
The reasons are;
Stroke affects your reflexes and movement and response time.
Your vision and thinking may be affected.
Most authorities recommend that you have a doctors and occupational therapy assessment before resuming driving.
On average, most authorities recommend no driving a private car for a month at minimum while you get assessed.