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What is Stroke?

• Stroke or cerebro-vascular accident

• A situation of sudden disruption in the flow of blood to the brain. 

• Frequent in senior citizens

• Death due to stroke is 1.5 times higher in old people aging above 85 years. 

What causes stroke? 

• Thrombosis (blood clotting)

• Blood clots in narrow vessels of the brain

• Embolism (Minor blood clotting)

• Blockage of the artery (blood vessels) in the brain due to blood clot, fats or air.

• Bleeding

• Bleeding of the arteries in the brain as a result of high blood pressure or head injury.

• Pressure

• Arteries in the brain induced to pressure of a tumour.

Risk factors of stroke

• High blood pressure

  • Most common factor

  • Can damage brain blood vessels

• Fatty / high cholesterol Diet

  • Cholesterol attaches to the walls of the blood vessels causing them to become narrow  and hence reduced the blood flow to the brain

• Overweight

  • Increase chances of high blood pressure

• Smoking

  • Tobacco smoke narrows the blood vessels and reduces the oxygeen supply to the brain and other organs

  • The risk of smokers having stroke is 3 times that of a normal person.R

• Diabetes

  • High sugar content will cause the blood vessels the harden and thicken.

• Stress

  • The blood pressure will increase when under emotional pressure.

Symptoms of stroke

• The symptoms depend on the part of the brain affected. The normal symptoms are:

• Weak or partial paralysis of the body

• Difficulty to talk

• Difficulty in swallowing

• Loss of memory or ability to concentrate

• Continence

• Emotional - depressed and feeling sad

• Easily enraged or cry

STROKE IS EMERGENCY, GET TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY! 

• Your action. See a doctor immediately if these symptoms occur:

  • numbness of the body

  • speech difficulty

  • headache

  • dizziness

  • sudden sight impediment

 If confirmed as having stroke:

• Admission into the hospital is necessary to monitor the cause and severity of the situation

• Treatment - drugs / medication

• Diet

• Recovery Program - exercise, speech and other daily activities

• Ways to reduce occurrence of stroke 

  • Blood pressure examination once annually

  • Observe proper diet – reduce food with cholesterol fats, sugar and salt.

  • Reduce consumption of coffee, tea and liquors

  • Stop smoking

  • Exercise at least 3-5 times every week

  • Control diabetes

  • Train to be more energetic

  • Sufficient rest

  • Take up a hobby

  • Relaxation technique.