Stroke is a medical emergency and therefore urgent medical attention is important.

The sooner the treatment is given, the higher the chances of preventing damage. According to Dr Herman Ekea, consultant physician, stroke refers to brain damage that occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced due to bursting or blockage of arteries, depriving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, the part of the brain that does not receive blood starts to die.

Dear Doc,

Does stroke only affect old people and are there other risk factors?

Allyson

Dear Allyson,

There are several risk factors associated with stroke and they are grouped as medical, personal or lifestyle. Medical risk factors include high levels of cholesterol which can cause hardening of arteries, smoking or exposure to second hand smoke, heart diseases like heart failure, heart infection, heart defects or abnormal heart rhythm, diabetes, and hypertension, disorders that increase risk of blood clotting or bleeding: Sickle cell disease, blood disorders, autoimmune disorders, HIV/AIDS, some medications, including oral contraceptive pills or having obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which there is airway blockage during sleep, resulting in low blood oxygen level.

Lifestyle factors associated with stroke include inactivity, obesity or overweight, binge or heavy drinking and use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines.

Personal factors include being age 55 and above, Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack, being African. Men generally have a higher risk of stroke than women.

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Dear Doc,

Are there different types of stroke?

Quincy.

Dear Quincy,

The most common form of stroke is ischemic stroke which occurs when the artery supplying the brain gets blocked or narrowed resulting in severe reduction of blood flow. This may occur when a plaque (a fatty substance that builds up on the walls of an artery) or blood clot forms in the arteries that lead to the brain and cause blockage. A clot may also form in the heart or blood vessels of the neck then dislodge and travel to the brain, causing blockage.

Another type of stroke is called hemorrhagic stroke, whereby a weakened artery that supplies the brain ruptures and then bleeds in and around the brain.

Strokes can also occur due to clots forming in large veins in the brain, also referred to as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. A transient ischemic attack happens when blood flow to the brain is disrupted temporarily, causing the brain to malfunction briefly but with no death of brain cells or permanent damage.

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Dear Doc,

Is it possible to know when a person is having a stroke?

Jeremy

Dear Jeremy,

A person who is developing a stroke may present with the following signs and symptoms;

A person may appear confused, experience difficulty with speaking, the words may be slurred, or may not be able to speak by any means even though they are awake. Abrupt numbness, paralysis or weakness may develop in the arm, leg or face, particularly affecting one side of the body. The person may not be able to lift their arms due to numbness and weakness. One side of the face, eye, or mouth may have dropped and he or she may not be able to smile. The person may not see properly. There may be double vision or blurred vision either in one or both eyes. The person may feel light-headed, stagger, or lose coordination and balance. Sudden, severe headache along with vomiting or distorted consciousness may be a sign of a stroke.

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Dear Doc,

What are possible complications of stroke?

Hildah

Dear Hildah,

Disabilities caused by stroke may be permanent or temporary. This depends on the part of the brain that was affected and how long the brain remained without blood supply. Different parts of the brain control how the body feels and moves. When a particular part of the brain is damaged by stroke, it may not function as it previously did and this can result into complication. Among other complications, stroke can cause difficulty speaking as one cannot control muscles in the throat and mouth,  paralysis on one side of the body, loss of memory or difficulty thinking, emotional problems that can result into depression, and pain in the body areas that were affected by stroke. The chances of recovering from these complications vary in different persons.

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Dear Doc,

What should one do if they suspect someone is having stroke?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to fluctuate or disappear.

Think “fast” and do the following:

 Face. Request the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping?

 Arms. Request the person to lift both arms. Is one arm drifting downward? Or is one arm unable to rise?

 Speech. Request the person to repeat a simple word. Is his or her speech odd or slurred?

 Time. If you see any of these signs, call an ambulance or get the person to a hospital immediately.

Do not wait to see if symptoms go away. Every minute counts. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability.

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KNOW YOUR BODY

Tips on how to prevent a stroke

A number of factors can increase a person’s risk of having stroke. The risk is even higher for a person who has had a transient ischemic attack. Though the condition cannot be totally prevented, the following measures can help reduce the risk or severity of complications associated with stroke:

Lower your cholesterol levels: Cholesterol is a kind if fat manufactured the liver and it is also present in foods from animal sources such as dairy and meat. The body requires just a little amount of cholesterol, but consuming too much can cause health complications. Excess cholesterol is deposited in the walls of arteries, narrows them, hence increasing the risk of stroke.

Maintain normal levels of blood pressure: high blood pressure is one of the major risk factors of stroke. High levels of blood pressure, (above 120/80 mmHg) puts constant pressure on the artery walls. If this continues for a long time, it weakens and causes damage to the arteries, hence increasing the possibility of the arteries bursting or getting clogged and cause a stroke. It is important to have blood pressure levels checked at least once every year since symptoms may not show until the condition has progressed.

Get checked for atrial fibrillation (Afib): this is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood collecting in areas of the heart. When this happens, this blood can form clots which can move to the brain. Clots can cause blockage to the artery hence resulting in a stroke. This condition is more in old people and it increases the risk of stroke.

Get treated for diabetes: excess blood sugar can cause buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries thus blocking them. This raises risk for stroke especially if a person has been living with diabetes that is not properly controlled. If you have diabetes, ensure to strictly follow your Doctor’s instructions and take medication as prescribed to lower risk of a stroke.

Quit smoking; cigarette smoke increases the likelihood of blood to form clots and also causes the arteries to harden (atherosclerosis) thus disrupting blood supply to the brain. No matter how long one has been smoking, quitting helps reduce the risk of having a stroke, as well as other health problems. Also encourage family members to stop smoking because secondary smoke is equally harmful.

Consume alcohol in moderation; taking too much alcohol brings one’s blood pressure on a high level. Binge drinking is mostly dangerous because it can make blood pressure to go up rapidly.

Keep off illicit drugs; certain drugs used to boost performance, for instance in sports and stimulants such as cocaine, can raise blood pressure and damage blood vessels thus increasing risk of stroke.

Practice good nutrition; avoid junk food which is high in fats and bad cholesterol which can block the arteries and cause to you to add unnecessary weight. Go for a healthy balanced diet that includes proteins, whole carbohydrates and fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat foods high in dietary fiber such as whole grain and vegetables. Fiber helps get rid of excess cholesterol in the body.

Reduce salt intake; avoid too much salt as it increases blood pressure.

Maintain healthy weight; being obese or overweight increases the risk of health problems such as heart diseases and hypertension, which increase risk of stroke.

Make exercises part of your daily life; doing regular physical activities lowers blood pressure and encourages smooth blood flow. You can exercise by doing activities you enjoy such as dancing, stretching, or doing house chores.

Last but not least, it is important to go for regular health checkups as they can help identify any underlying problems which may place you at risk of a stroke.