STROKE (Nnwodwoe3)

Also known as: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting enough oxygen and nutrients

Stroke also occurs when the blood vessels in the brain ruptures

TYPES OF STROKE

Ischemic stroke – very common

Hemorrhagic stroke

Transient Ischemic attack ( a warning or ‘’mini stroke’’)

ISCHEMIC STROKE

When arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain is blocked.

Without blood, brain cells start to die, and the functions controlled by that area of the brain – such as speech or muscle movement – are impaired or lost- (NATIONAL STROKE ASSOCIATION)

The left hemisphere of the brain (particularly the Broca’s area) – Controls Speech and understanding

The Cerebellum of the brain controls Movement.

CAUSES OF ISCHEMIC STROKE

Arteriosclerosis ( blood clot blocks or narrows artery to the brain)

Hypertension

Heart disease

Tobacco – Smoking ( Toxin effect and endothelium dysfunction )

Diabetes

HEMORRHAGIC STROKE

Weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain.

CAUSES OF HEMORRHAGIC STROKE

Accident leading to brain injury

Brain aneurysm ( the ballooning and weakened area in an artery of the brain which when ruptured result in internal bleeding.) – caused by high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.

WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE ( Transient Ischemic Stroke)

Numbness or tingling for few days

Trouble seeing

Dizziness

Loss of balance

Headache

HIPPOCRATES – ‘’ Let food be thy medicine, and Medicine be thy food”

In order to prevent stroke; intake of Sodium-rich foods are to be reduced or avoided if possible. However, foods rich in potassium are encouraged in managing stroke.

SODIUM (Na+) rich foods

Salt Pizza Processed cheese Sandwich

Beef Biscuits Pastries Margarine

Cream Palm oil Coconut oil and (any other saturated fat)

POTASSIUM (K+) rich foods

Banana Dandelion

Oranges Mushrooms

NOTE: Blood Pressure above 180/120mmHg are considered stroke level.

TREATMENT FOR STROKE aside food

An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – also called Alteplase ( Activator).