Early Warning Signs Of A Stroke - Mild Stroke Symptoms

Strokes happen when a blood vessel transporting blood to the brain becomes blocked or explodes disturbing the blood supply. The brain, destitute of oxygen, begins to expire. The bulk of strokes ensue from blockage of blood vessels; blood vessel explosions answer for fewer than 20% of strokes.

On the other hand, disregardless of the cause, strokes are a serious problem in the US. A stroke is reported every 45 seconds, and a death by stroke every three minutes. Interestingly, women are more susceptible to strokes than men. Statistics show that of every five stroke victims, two are men and three women.

A stroke that damages the right brain can cause paralysis in the left side of the body. It can also affect vision or lead to memory loss. When the stroke damages the left part of the brain, the results are different. The victim's right body can be paralyzed. Also, the victim can suffer speech problems or memory loss.

Strokes also cause severe emotional stress. Several stroke victims find that they can no longer control emotions. They also suffer uncomfortable sensation or pain in extremities like toes and fingers.

symptoms of a mini stroke

Some of the common symptoms of stroke are: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden problems in speaking; sudden blurring of vision in one or both eyes; sudden trouble in walking, dizziness or loss of balance. Anyone who experiences these symptoms must immediately seek medical help.

The strokes are of 2 kinds. These are: ischemic strokes that ensue from the choking off of arterial blood vessels and hemorrhagic strokes that are caused by the bursting of arteries in the brain.  The hemorrhagic stroke requires surgical intervention because the blood flows out of the ruptured artery and starts exercising pressure on the brain. The ischemic stroke is treated by removing or dissolving clots.

There are three ways to treat stroke. The first is preventive. It involves proper diagnosis of ailments like blood clotting, hypertension, diabetes. The second is regulatory, that is therapy that tries to reduce damage while an individual is hit by a stroke. The third is based on rehabilitation. It is aimed to assist the patient recover from the affects of a stroke.

The trouble with a stroke is that it can reoccur. One in every 4 patients has a stroke inside 5 years of the first one. This makes post-stroke aid even more crucial. Also, strokes that reoccur are more severe, and cause more harm.

The patient needs to be especially careful of minor attacks of stroke. These are called Transient Ischemic Attacks or TIA. They are like warning signals, and result from temporary clotting in the arteries. They don't cause serious damage but give the patient enough reason to be more careful.

3 kinds of tests are directed to test the state of the brain. These are: imaging examinations that bring forth a depiction of the brain; electrical examinations that commemorate the electrical impulsions of the brain; and blood flow tests that show changes in blood flow to the brain. All these tests are unpainful, and very useful in arriving at a diagnosis.

Stroke Prevention

Maintain a healthy body weight and lifestyle: Exercise daily, walk 1 hour 7 days a week.  

Avoid fats, especially saturated fats found in meat, butter, beef, shortening, eggs, dairy products, and cured cheeses. Also stay away from alcoholic beverages, coffee white sugar and salt.  

Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure makes the heart and blood vessels work harder. (See "How to Prevent Hypertension.")

Check your cholesterol. Most malls and many senior centers offer cholesterol tests for a nominal fee.  

Test your blood sugar. Chronic high blood sugar is harmful to the arteries. Free blood sugar testing is often offered at pharmacies.  

Ask your doctor to check your blood hematocrit level. High hematocrits make a person more prone to strokes.  

Stop smoking if you do. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to narrow and constrict, which impedes circulation.  

Reduce or eliminate drug and alcohol intake. Abuse of either can cause strokes in teenagers and young adults.  

Avoid constipation. Straining to move your bowels is hard on your heart and blood vessels.  

Reduce your stress. Chronic stress causes the blood vessels to narrow, which makes blood pressure rise and the heart work harder.  

Relax. Read a good book to your loved one, pray, meditate or do whatever else relaxes you and increases your sense of well-being.

Foods that help:

Garlic: Garlic reduces the stickiness of blood platelets that results in clots. This improves arterial blood flow. Onions are also effective.

Olive Oil: Olive oil acts in the same manner as fish oil to reduce clotting tendencies but without it's drawbacks.

Selenium: This antioxidant trace element acts in conjunction with vitamin E to protect against arteriosclerosis and blood clots. Brazil nuts, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, and molasses are the best source.

Treatment with drug medication for stroke

Aspirin (known chemically as acetyl salicylic acid and often abbreviated as ASA) belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Aspirin and other NSAIDs, for example, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), are widely used to treat fever, pain, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. In addition to its effects on fever, pain, and inflammation, aspirin also has an important inhibitory effect on platelets in the blood. This antiplatelet effect is used to prevent the platelets from initiating the formation of blood clots inside arteries, particularly in individuals who have atherosclerosis or are otherwise prone to develop blood clots in their arteries.

Side Effects: The most common side effects of aspirin are heartburn and other symptoms of stomach irritation such as indigestion, pain, nausea, and vomiting. The stomach irritation may lead to bleeding from the stomach, which may cause black stools. These symptoms may be reduced by taking aspirin with meals, with an antacid, with a glass of milk, or by taking enteric-coated or timed-release aspirin. Also, it is best not to take aspirin with alcohol or coffee (or other beverages containing caffeine, such as tea or cocoa and many soft drinks). Alcohol and caffeine make the stomach more sensitive to irritation. The non aspirin salicylate preparations sometimes are less irritating to the stomach and may be substituted for aspirin by your doctor.

The herbal approach

Like high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels, high levels of LDL cholesterol are recognized as symptoms of imbalance in the system. Naturopaths recognize that the whole system and not just the symptoms should be treated.

Research has demonstrated that a combination of natural remedies, regular exercise and dietary changes can make a significant difference to LDL levels and reduce or even eliminate the need for prescription drugs. Click the banner below for more information.