Stroke is one of the major silent killers in the world today. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of cases of patients dying of stroke. According to Dr. Joel Kiryabwire, a neurosurgeon and the President of the neurosurgical society of Uganda, the last 10 years have seen a thirty percent (30%) fold increase in the number of stroke cases and currently stroke is the sixth commonest cause of death in Uganda. He outlines four steps that we should take to help prevent us from getting a stroke!. Read on to find out more.

What is a stroke?

According to the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

What are the types of stroke?

There are two types of stroke i.e. Ischemic stroke and Hemorrhagic stroke. A Transient ischemic attack (TIA) some times called mini-stroke is different from the two main types of stroke because blood flow to the Brian is only temporarily cut off usually not more than 5 minutes.

Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. It happens when the brain’s blood vessels become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow (ischemia). Blocked or narrowed blood vessels are caused by fatty deposits that build up in blood vessels or by blood clots or other debris that travel through the bloodstream, most often from the heart, and lodge in the blood vessels in the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures (breaks open). The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them. Hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by a number of factors i.e.

• When blood pressure is not controlled.
• Excessive use blood thinners (anticoagulants)
• When you have Bulges at weak spots in your blood vessel walls (aneurysms)
• Trauma (such as a car crash)
• When protein deposits in blood vessel walls lead to weakness in the vessel wall (cerebral amyloid angiopathy)
• When you get an Ischemic stroke leading to hemorrhage.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA).

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) also known as a mini stroke is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those in a stroke. It doesn’t cause permanent damage and is caused by a temporary decrease in blood supply to part of the brain, which may last as little as five minutes.

Just like an ischemic stroke, a TIA occurs when a clot or debris reduces or blocks blood flow to part of the nervous system.

It is advisable to seek emergency medical care even if you think you’ve had a TIA because your symptoms got better. It’s not possible to tell if you’re having a stroke or TIA based only on the symptoms. If you’ve had a TIA, it means you may have a partially blocked or narrowed artery leading to the brain. Having a TIA increases your risk of having a full-blown stroke later.

What happens in the brain during a stroke?

The brain controls our movements, stores our memories, and is the source of our thoughts, emotions, and language. The brain also controls many functions of the body, like breathing and digestion.

To work properly, your brain needs oxygen. Your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your brain. If something happens to block the flow of blood, brain cells start to die within minutes, because they can’t get oxygen. This causes a stroke.

What are the signs of stroke in men and women?

• When there is a sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• When you experience sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• When you have sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• When you have sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
• When you experience a sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Call for medical assistance right away if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.

Act FAST to help stroke Victims get the treatment they need.

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T – Time: If you see any of these signs, call the health workers right away. Time is of essence to save someone who has suffered a stroke.

Important notes about stroke.

1. Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps health care providers determine the best treatment for each person.
2. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call for an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room for further management.
3. Stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients who do not make it to hospital in time may not be eligible for the best treatment.

Causes of stroke.

There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may have only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), that doesn’t cause lasting symptoms.

Risk factors that may lead to strokes.

Medical Risk factors.

• High blood pressure
• Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• COVID-19 infection
• Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation
• Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Life style risk factors.

• Being overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity – It is advisable to catch some exercise.
• Heavy or binge drinking – It is advisable to drink moderately.
• Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine

Other Risk factors.

• Your Age — People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than do younger people.
• Ethnicity or race — African Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk of stroke than do people of other races or ethnicities.
• Your sex — Men have a higher risk of stroke than do women. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they’re more likely to die of strokes than are men.
• Hormones — Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen increases risk.

Stroke Prevention measures.

Lead a healthy life style.

Eat and drink healthy.

Choosing healthy meal and snack options can help you prevent stroke. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol, trans fat and are high in fiber can help prevent cholesterol build up. You need to limit your salt intake to keep your blood pressure in check. High cholesterol and hypertension increase you risk of getting a stroke.

You can find more information about a healthy diet and nutrition here>>>>>

Watch your weight.

Being obese or over weight increases your risk of having a stroke. You will need to calculate your body mass index (BMI) to determine whether your weight is in a healthy range.

Get regular exercise.

Regular exercise can help you stay at a healthy weight and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. For adults, the surgeon general recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, such as a brisk walk, each week. Children and teens should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.

Avoid smoking

Smoking cigarettes greatly increases your chances of having a stroke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for stroke. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.

For more helpful information about Tobacco use and quitting, read here>>>

Avoid excessive Alcohol consumption

Excessive consumption of alcohol can raise your blood pressure which can lead to a stroke. It is advisable to drink alcohol in Moderation. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should have no more than one per day. For more information, visit CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health website.

Control your medical conditions

Talk with your doctor about steps you can take to lower your risk for stroke.

If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you can take steps to lower your risk for stroke.

Regularly Check cholesterol

Your doctor should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Talk with your health care team about this simple blood test. If you have high cholesterol, medicine and lifestyle changes can help lower your risk for stroke.

You have to Control blood pressure

You will need to check your blood pressure regularly. It should be noted that high blood pressure usually has no symptoms and that is the reason you should be on the look out. It could be advisable for you to buy a digital blood pressure machine to help you monitor your blood pressure from home.

If you are hypertensive, Your doctor may prescribe some medicines, ask you to make lifestyle changes and advise you to limit excessive salt intake.

Be sure to Control diabetes

If your doctor thinks you have symptoms of diabetes, he or she may recommend that you get tested. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly.

Talk with your health care team about treatment options. Your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as getting more physical activity or choosing healthier foods. These actions will help keep your blood sugar under good control and help lower your risk for stroke.

Make sure you Treat heart disease

If you have certain heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), your health care team may recommend medical treatment or surgery. Taking care of heart problems can help prevent stroke.

Take your medicine religiously.

If you take medicine to treat heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don’t understand something. Never stop taking your medicine without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Work closely with your health care team

You and your health care team can work together to prevent or treat the medical conditions that lead to stroke. Discuss your treatment plan regularly, and bring a list of questions to your appointments. Learn how to find the right doctor for youexternal icon from the “Live to the Beat” campaign.

If you’ve already had a stroke or TIA, your health care team will work with you to prevent further strokes. Your treatment plan will include medicine or surgery and lifestyle changes to lower your risk for another stroke. Be sure to take your medicine as directed and follow your doctor’s instructions.

4 Steps to avoid getting a stroke according to a Ugandan neurosurgeon.

1. Exercise regularly.

Exercise keeps us healthy and helps avoid getting a stroke.

2. Eat well.

Eat healthy foods, avoid cholesterol and fat in our food, reduce salt intake and avoid junk food.

3.Rest regularly and avoid stress

Resting regularly and avoiding stress is key in stroke prevention as these tow are key causes of a stroke.

4. Regularly visit a doctor even if you are feeling well.

This way the doctor will be able to trouble shoot your medical condition before it gets worse.

Conclusion.

There you have it. Nearly all you need to know about stroke laid bare. By taking a few precautionary measures like exercising regularly, eating healthy, avoiding stress, resting regularly etc, you can be sure to stay away from the silent killer known as stroke. Is there anything else that you would like to know about stroke? Let us know in the comments below and dr. Joel will be happy to help you.

About Dr. Kiryabwire.

Dr. Joel Kiryabwire is a Neurosurgeon and the President of the Uganda Neurosurgical society.

Also read about how to stay healthy this fall>>>>

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