THE SILENT KILLER

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The Silent Killer- Stroke(The Apothecari.

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Introduction

Many people believe that stroke falls under 'old people disease' and Yes, it is true that the risk increases with age, but on the contrary stroke in adolescents and young adults does happen.

Infact 15 to 20 percent of stroke cases occur in people within that age bracket .

What is A stroke

Simply put, A stroke occurs when part of the brain loses its supply of blood and 'stops working' . This causes the part of the body that the injured brain controls to stop working.

This loss of supply of blood happens when major blood vessels that supply blood and nutrient to the brain is blocked or bursts

Types of stroke

ISCHEMIC STROKE:An ischemic stroke is caused by an artery in the brain being obstructed or blocked, preventing oxygen-rich blood from being delivered to brain cells. The artery can be blocked in a couple of ways. an artery can narrow over time because of cholesterol buildup, called plaque. If that plaque ruptures, a clot is formed at the site and prevents blood from passing to brain cells downstream, which are then deprived of oxygen. Also the artery is blocked because of debris or a clot that travels from the heart or another blood vessel. An embolus or embolism is a clot, a piece of fatty material or other object that travels within the bloodstream that lodges in a blood vessel to cause an obstruction.

Hemorrhagic stroke

When a blood vessel leaks and spills blood into brain tissue, those brain cells stop working. The bleeding or hemorrhage is often due to poorly controlled high blood pressure that weakens the wall of an artery over time and causes damage

transient ischemic attack (TIA, mini-stroke)

A transient ischemic attack (TIA, mini-stroke) is a short-lived stroke that gets better and resolves spontaneously. It is a short-lived episode (less than 24 hours) of temporary impairment of brain function that is caused by a loss of blood supply

Common Causes of stroke

Smoking

Diabetes

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Inherited disorders

In younger individuals, an event of stroke can be facilitated by the abuse of drugs such as sex stimulants ,high alcohol intake and illicit drugs .it can also be facilitated by lack of proper exercise to promote circulation of blood

SYMPTOMS and WARNING SIGNS of stroke

Sadly, there are no prominent warning signs until it has occured but if one pays close attention it can be detected before its too late.

If 2 or more of the following symptoms are observed kindly see a doctor

Sudden confusion

Acute onset of weakness or paralysis of half or part of the body

Numbness of one half or part of the body

Partial vision loss

Double vision

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Difficulty with balance

STROKE MYTHS

1) Stroke is an old person's disease and cannot affect young people

FACT

Stroke affects both young and old people especially those who practice certain habits that increase the risk of stroke such as;

Cigarette smoking, abuse of hard drugs and oral contraceptive use.

2) Only people with high blood pressure are susceptible to stroke.

FACT

Stroke is not limited to the pre-existing condition of hypertension alone although it is the leading cause. Lack of exercise, high blood cholesterol levels and diabetes can lead to stroke even in seemingly healthy individuals.

3) Stroke is not as deadly as medical professionals make it sound.

FACT

Stroke kills more women per year than breast cancer (now that's deadly)

4) Stroke isn't hereditary

FACT

Strokes do run in families. The risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, all have a genetic component. And the more rare causes of stroke in younger people, can also be passed down from generation to generation

5) The most common sign of a stroke is pain. 

FACT

Only about 30 percent of people will experience a headache with stroke, so pain isn’t a reliable symptom. The most common symptoms of stroke include sudden onset of numbness, double vision, confusion, lack of coordination, and trouble understanding what someone is saying.

NOTE:

Men are more likely to have a stroke than women at a younger age however women above 85 years tend to suffer stroke more frequently.

Examples of lifestyle habits that promote stroke

1) Poor feeding habits (Eating foods containing oil and flour such as doughnuts and buns)

2) Lack of exercise to alleviate stress.

3) Taking of drugs without consulting your Doctor or Pharmacist. Especially oral contraceptives.

4) Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.

Effects of Stroke on an individual

1) Death

Every second counts as soon as an attack happens. When the brain suffers stroke attack, brain cells die. When they die, they are replaced by scar tissue which do not function as brain cells hence functionality in that part of the brain is permanently lost and can be fatal.

2) Paralysis

Non-fatal stroke attacks can leave you severely bedridden or even unable to communicate.

3) Memory loss or thinking difficulties. 

Many people who have had strokes experience some memory loss. Others may have difficulty thinking, reasoning, making judgments and understanding concepts.

4) Emotional problems. 

People who have had strokes may have more difficulty controlling their emotions, or they may develop depression.

5) Difficulty talking or swallowing. 

A stroke might affect control of the muscles in your mouth and throat, making it difficult for you to talk clearly, swallow or eat. You also may have difficulty with language, including speaking or understanding speech, reading, or writing.

Stroke Prevention

Most stroke risk factors are lifestyle related, so everyone has the power to reduce their risk of having a stroke

1) An unhealthy diet can increase your chances of having a stroke. Avoid eating foods with high fat content and limit your salt intake. Fruits and vegetables are highly recommended.

2) As a young person being obese increases your risk of having a stroke so lose weight through exercise if necessary (it's necessary). Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight.

3) Heavy drinking multiplies the risk of stroke by more than 3 times. Smoking significantly increases your risk of having a stroke. This is because it narrows your blood vessels and makes your blood more likely to clot.

So stop smoking and drinking or do so in "moderation".

4) If you have been diagnosed with a condition known to increase your risk of stroke, ensuring the condition is well controlled is also important for helping prevent strokes.

Such as;

Sickle cell disease

High Cholesterol

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Consult your doctor to know how to manage these conditions to prevent stroke. Or send us a message.

By Osunde Peter Nosa and Aikhomu Onose Ella