Immediate Attack : High Blood Pressure
Stroke is frequently understood as a problem that comes with old age but in truth, even the young and sporty can be vulnerable. Advisor Brain surgeon Timothy Lee shares some insights on the condition.
A stroke can affect anybody. Case in point: Well-liked local radio DJ Rod Monteiro. Despite being relatively young at 44, and leading a sporty way of life including running marathons and cycling frequently, Mr Monteiro made the news latterly when he suffered a stroke while at work. Even kids are not spared. Expert Doctor Doctor Timothy Lee?s youngest patient for stroke was just 12 years of age. ?He fainted and was confirmed to be bleeding from a congenital artery abnormality. We had to operate on him right away,? Declared Dr Lee.
While you may have little control of congenital Problems, there are risk factors which can sometimes be moderated to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Things you can do decisively include adopting a healthy diet, avoid smoking and managing diabetes and hypertension if you've got the conditions.
Stroke also need not be viewed as a permanently debilitating condition. According to Doctor Lee, about half of all patients who suffer from a stroke make a good recovery, often within the first three months.
Doctor Lee's young patient is one such success story. He made a superb recovery and returned to school. He even regained the top position in his class, shared Dr Lee.
Q&A
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a condition where blood flow to the brain is interrupted - either due to blockage or bleeding, starving brain cells of necessary oxygen and glucose, and leading to brain damage which can manifest in impairment to speech, movement and memory.According to Doctor Lee, usually (about 80%), the stroke is because of a blocked artery; while bleeding accounts for the rest. Both result in a scarcity of blood flow to the brain and a build-up of pressure in the brain that leads to the passing of brain cells.
How can one tell if somebody is having a stroke?
The common signs are weakness or numbness of the limbs and a sudden headache. Transitory weakness or numbness are possible alarm signals of a blocked artery, while a sudden and weird headache could be a sign of internal bleeding. Slurring of speech or unexpected blurred or double vision are possible tell-tale signs as well.
Does it help if you get to a doctor quickly?
Like most diseases, the earlier you get treated, the better. Prompt treatment can make all the difference in one's diagnosis for recovery.
Are all strokes the same?
Not all strokes are alike and they can be of different severity. The impact of a stroke is dependent upon how much of the brain is influenced and the location. Smaller strokes may result in weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking and incontinence. Larger strokes may cause paralysis. Some strokes can be deadly.
What risk factors should I look out for to stop a stroke?
I occasionally use the acronym Cholesterol DISH to summarize the key risks factors that can lead to a blocked artery. "D" is for Diabetes; "I" for "I or myself", which fundamentally means your genetics; "S" is for Smoking; and "H" is for Hypertension. As for the other major cause of stroke -bleeding, the main risk factor to observe is hypertension.
Can anything be done to lessen the occurrence of a second stroke after a patient has suffered the first one?
You need to first try to reduce the risk factors. While you can not be able to do something about your genetics, you can help yourself by making life changes such as giving up smoking and opting for a healthier diet. It is also necessary to get correct medical attention and medicine, as an example an anti-platelet agent may be prescribed by the doctor to open up the blocked artery. Regular medications may be required to manipulate diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension.
What is the treatment for stroke patients?
The primary goal is to revive brain function and forestall future strokes. Aside from the employment of an anti-platelet agent, surgery to get rid of a narrowing in the artery may often be required. Post-stroke, rehabilitation could be critical to help the patient recuperate and recover mobility.
Final words of information
Hear your doctors and doctors, and follow their instructions. It's critical to manage the chance factors and don?t stop your medicine without discussing it first with your GP.
A stroke can affect anybody. Case in point: Well-liked local radio DJ Rod Monteiro. Despite being relatively young at 44, and leading a sporty way of life including running marathons and cycling frequently, Mr Monteiro made the news latterly when he suffered a stroke while at work. Even kids are not spared. Expert Doctor Doctor Timothy Lee?s youngest patient for stroke was just 12 years of age. ?He fainted and was confirmed to be bleeding from a congenital artery abnormality. We had to operate on him right away,? Declared Dr Lee.
While you may have little control of congenital Problems, there are risk factors which can sometimes be moderated to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a stroke. Things you can do decisively include adopting a healthy diet, avoid smoking and managing diabetes and hypertension if you've got the conditions.
Stroke also need not be viewed as a permanently debilitating condition. According to Doctor Lee, about half of all patients who suffer from a stroke make a good recovery, often within the first three months.
Doctor Lee's young patient is one such success story. He made a superb recovery and returned to school. He even regained the top position in his class, shared Dr Lee.
Q&A
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a condition where blood flow to the brain is interrupted - either due to blockage or bleeding, starving brain cells of necessary oxygen and glucose, and leading to brain damage which can manifest in impairment to speech, movement and memory.According to Doctor Lee, usually (about 80%), the stroke is because of a blocked artery; while bleeding accounts for the rest. Both result in a scarcity of blood flow to the brain and a build-up of pressure in the brain that leads to the passing of brain cells.
How can one tell if somebody is having a stroke?
The common signs are weakness or numbness of the limbs and a sudden headache. Transitory weakness or numbness are possible alarm signals of a blocked artery, while a sudden and weird headache could be a sign of internal bleeding. Slurring of speech or unexpected blurred or double vision are possible tell-tale signs as well.
Does it help if you get to a doctor quickly?
Like most diseases, the earlier you get treated, the better. Prompt treatment can make all the difference in one's diagnosis for recovery.
Are all strokes the same?
Not all strokes are alike and they can be of different severity. The impact of a stroke is dependent upon how much of the brain is influenced and the location. Smaller strokes may result in weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking and incontinence. Larger strokes may cause paralysis. Some strokes can be deadly.
What risk factors should I look out for to stop a stroke?
I occasionally use the acronym Cholesterol DISH to summarize the key risks factors that can lead to a blocked artery. "D" is for Diabetes; "I" for "I or myself", which fundamentally means your genetics; "S" is for Smoking; and "H" is for Hypertension. As for the other major cause of stroke -bleeding, the main risk factor to observe is hypertension.
Can anything be done to lessen the occurrence of a second stroke after a patient has suffered the first one?
You need to first try to reduce the risk factors. While you can not be able to do something about your genetics, you can help yourself by making life changes such as giving up smoking and opting for a healthier diet. It is also necessary to get correct medical attention and medicine, as an example an anti-platelet agent may be prescribed by the doctor to open up the blocked artery. Regular medications may be required to manipulate diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension.
What is the treatment for stroke patients?
The primary goal is to revive brain function and forestall future strokes. Aside from the employment of an anti-platelet agent, surgery to get rid of a narrowing in the artery may often be required. Post-stroke, rehabilitation could be critical to help the patient recuperate and recover mobility.
Final words of information
Hear your doctors and doctors, and follow their instructions. It's critical to manage the chance factors and don?t stop your medicine without discussing it first with your GP.
About the Author:
For full info on hypertension & high blood pressure, visit the Mount Alvernia Hospital site. Dr Timothy Lee's clinic is at Mount Alvernia Medical Centre A, Unit 02-23. Attention & treatment for hypertension.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment