Posts Tagged ‘stroke’

What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Mini Stroke

August 17th, 2009 Barb Hicks
by Barb Hicks

Mini strokes or TIA’s are the result of blockage of blood flow to the brain. These warning signs occur mainly in ischemic episodes. When one occurs, the body quickly sends out tPA to dissolve the clot. While a patient may experience symptoms, no damage to brain tissue occurs. However, a TIA is a warning signal that a stroke is on its way, so medical assistance should be sought immediately. Although ischemic and hemorrhagic are completely different episodes, they both carry the same symptoms and inclinations.

The complete blockage of an artery resulting in restricted blood flow is an ischemic episode. When ischemia occurs, the result is cell death and loss of functionality in the extremities including the face.

The formation of these blood clots can also be caused by atrial fibrillation, previous heart attack, heart valve diseases, some STDs, cardiovascular disease and Cerebrovascular disease.

Narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup, which leads to clots forming, is a common factor in ischemic events. Cells and other debris stick to cracks in the plaque.

Blood clots are the body’s way of protecting itself from injury. If bleeding is present, a clot is formed to stop it. If the bleeding continues, other serious complications can occur.

Many times, the body is able to dissolve the clot itself by releasing an enzyme called plasmin, and then phagocytes (white blood cells that engulf waste matter) come along and clean up the debris left behind.

Decreased blood flow to the brain leads to signs and symptoms of confusion, sudden headache, loss of balance, and difficulty speaking. The symptoms appear for only minutes then soon disappear, and the victim suffers no brain damage. It is still advisable to get emergency help as a TIA is a warning that a major stoke is on the way. The goal of treatment at this point is to restore blood flow to the brain and prevent further damage.

In order for certain medications to work properly, they must be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Hence, time is of the essence. If more time has elapsed before treatment can be given, the patient is likely to experience severe, irreversible damage. This is why it is crucial for everyone to know and recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

Mini stroke can come on suddenly. There is no warning because the TIA itself serves as a warning of a major ischemic episode. A major stroke usually happens within a year of a mini stroke; however, this can be avoided and prevented with appropriate treatment. Your doctor can perform tests to determine your risk for more serious complications if you seek medical treatment at the first sign or symptom of a mini stroke.

About the Author:
A licensed registered nurse and reputable writer, Barb Hicks has a great passion for writing and sharing her knowledge. You can find her articles about Women Heart Disease Causes and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatments Causes Symptoms on Clivir.com.
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The Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease

August 16th, 2009 Barb Hicks
by Barb Hicks

Narrowed coronary arteries cause a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This ailment is also referred to as Ischemic Heart Disease. The reason for the narrowed arteries is cholesterol deposits sticking to the artery wall, thus creating a blockage that hampers the free flow of blood to the heart. These deposits harden and cause the arteries to harden as well. The medical term used to describe this is atherosclerosis. In addition, this term is most often interchangeable with arteriosclerosis. Both of these ailments are identical in that they both prevent blood flow from reaching the heart.

Arteriosclerosis, or plaque buildup, is a common factor in Ischemic heart disease. Plaque, a result of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, builds up in the vessels that feed the heart causing blockage to occur. This interferes with blood flow to the heart and results in heart attack symptoms to occur. The patient may exhibit signs ranging from shortness of breath to irregular heartbeats, and chest pain. Sometimes, there are no symptoms due to damage to the nerves that surround the heart due to heart disease.

Angina will eventually occur as time passes. This affliction, commonly referred to as the strangling of the heart and known in medical terms as Angina Pectoris, is a result of the lack of oxygen due to poor blood flow to the heart as a result of blockage. Anyone with this type of heart disease is at a greater risk for experiencing a heart attack or cardiac arrhythmia.

Patients at risk for Ischemic heart disease are those with diabetes, family history of heart disease or have high blood pressure. Most often, these risk factors can either be lessened or eliminated completely with simple changes to lifestyle such as losing weight and quitting smoking. These changes are beneficial no matter the situation; however it is important to note that they will not cure someone who already has ischemic heart disease. In addition, anyone who has already undergone a heart attack will most likely experience another one within five years. Visiting a healthcare provider on a regular basis will allow them to monitor its progression as well as alleviate or eliminate any future problems from occurring.

There is good news regarding ischemic heart disease. It is able to be prevented or its severity lessened with proper healthcare and lifestyle changes. Though these changes may seem a daunting task after being set in your ways for twenty to thirty years, the results of these changes are well worth the effort.

About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge with others. She writes for Clivir.com and provides useful resources on Women Heart Disease Symptoms and What is Congestive Heart Failure.
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Hypertension – Taking Responsibility

August 10th, 2009 Christian Goodman
by Christian Goodman

“Hypertension” is what the medical community calls high blood pressure. As a general rule, a person is labeled “hypertensive” when blood pressure is above the ideal 120/80. Some people may be predisposed to high blood pressure, due to their genes, but there are other factors that contribute to it.

To make you better understand high blood pressure or hypertension, you should know what hypertension really is. When your blood pressure is taken, what is actually measured is the amount of pressure your blood is exerting against the walls of your blood vessels. When you get a higher number, it means that more pressure is being forced against those walls.

Think of a balloon being filled with water. As more and more water fills the balloon, it stretches to accommodate it…to a point. As it gets very full, you can easily see the balloon thinning out, and if you continue putting water into it, eventually it will stretch itself to the breaking point.

If you allow your blood pressure to get high and remain there unchecked, your vessels will suffer the same fate as the overfilled balloon. They can and will eventually burst. The location of the burst vessel determines the severity of the results. If it’s a brain vessel, you can have a stroke. If it’s a vessel that feeds blood to the heart, you can have a heart attack or suffer complete heart failure.

‘Silent killer’ is what high blood pressure is often referred as. One day you feel fine and you don’t feel any symptomsthen the pressure becomes so great that it causes a life-threatening episode.

The top number of a blood pressure reading, or the systolic pressure, measures the pressure within the blood vessels with each ‘beat’ of the heart as it pumps blood out. The bottom number, or the diastolic pressure, measures the pressure within the blood vessels in between beats, when your heart is temporarily at rest.

Of the two numbers, the bottom number is often seen as more critical. If your diastolic pressure is over the ideal number of 80, this means that extreme pressure is being exerted on your vessels, even when your heart is at rest. With high blood pressure, the spurting force of the blood as it leaves the heart the next time could be the one that proves to be too much.

So if you have high blood pressure, what can you do to lower it? Lose weight if you are overweight, reduce or remove the causes of stress in your life, quit smoking, and exercise more.

Or try something a little easier, just as effective and even quicker, my Hypertension Program I created to help reduce your chance of heart attack or stroke by lowering your blood pressure to acceptable levels. It doesn’t involve drastic lifestyle changes or hours of sweating in a gym.

It is composed of simple exercises that you can do easily, but the result is nothing short of life-saving.

About the Author:
Christian Goodman is a widely known specialist on natural health alternatives. His latest discovery was natural techniques that lower high blood pressure in less than 7 days.
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Health Benefits Of Healthy Chocolate And Acai A Perfect Combination

August 5th, 2009 Cally Winslow
by Cally Winslow

Did you know acai contains 25 times the antioxidants of grapes? Antioxidants are molecules that can prevent the damaging effects of excessive amounts of free radicals in the body by neutralizing and destroying them. Chocolate, Acai berry and blueberry are loaded with antioxidant compounds. This blend of Healthy Dark Chocolate and Acai is loaded with protein and amino acids, blended with and carried by plant fibers for maximum absorbency. The Orac Value ((Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity—The USDA developed this rating scale to measure the antioxidant content of various plant foods) of Unprocessed Cocoa Powder, Dark Chocolate and Acai Berries are clearly at the top of the list. FOOD ORAC Value Per 100 grams: Acerola 70,000 — Unprocessed cocoa powder 26,000 — Wolfberry 25,300 — Acai 18,500 — Dark Chocolate 13,120 — Milk Chocolate 6,740 — Prunes 5,770 — Agel EXO 3,848 — Pomegranates 3,307 — Raisins/Dark Grapes 2,830 — Blueberries 2,400 — Blackberries 2,036 — Garlic 1,939 — Kale 1,770 — Cranberries 1,750 — Strawberries 1,540 — Noni Fruit Juice (pure) 1,506 — Spinach 1,260 — ViaViente Brand Juice 1,245 — Raspberries 1,220 — Red Grapes 739. The USDA recommends a daily intake of 3,000 to 5,000 orac daily.

Polyphenols, a broad group of plant nutrients that act as antioxidants, relieve inflammation, protect against radiation and can help clear the arteries with this Healthy Dark Chocolate. Many phytoceuticals in cocoa support the heart muscles, strengthen blood vessel walls, and may inhibit atherosclerosis, thereby reducing the risk of edema, stroke, and heart failure. Both cocoa and Acai berry have enjoyed centuries of use as a food staple and in folk medicine to cleanse and detoxify.

Both cocoa and Acai berries are very rich in polyphenols, and perform many other helpful duties. Powerful polyphenol nutrients found in cocoa and acai (including catechins, proanthocyanidins and vitamin C and E) are known to to be able to inhibit different inflammatory mechanisms. This is important because a growing body of research shows that chronic inflammation is strongly linked to various conditions ranging from cancer and cardiovascular disease to diabetes and dementia.

In a recent study, participants enjoyed a twelve point reduction in systolic (top) blood pressure. The study also showed an average 13% drop in levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Dark Chocolate improved the health of blood vessels in study participants by making arteries more relaxed and responsive and improved insulin levels. These benefits were attributed to the presence of high levels of beneficial anti-aging flavonoids in Dark Chocolate. Dark Chocolate can supply the body with crucial minerals, one being magnesium. A high magnesium intake lowers blood pressure and reduces risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Did you know that the benefits of Dark Chocolate may help balance good and bad cholesterol? Healthy Dark Chocolate is cold pressed Belgian cocoa that has no cholesterol.

TIME Magazine: “Antioxidants in chocolate may help protect against cancer, Dark Chocolate has been found to moderate blood pressure, and other ingredients elevate mood.” CNN: ” A recent study found that those with high blood pressure who ate 3-5 ounce Dark Chocolate daily for 15 days were rewarded with lower blood pressure, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and improved sugar metabolism.” TIME Magazine: “Antioxidants in Chocolate may help protect against cancer, Dark Chocolate has been found to moderate blood pressure, and other ingredients elevate mood.”

If you want health grade Dark Chocolate, look for a product that is at least 70 percent cocoa solids by weight. Most Dark Chocolate products found on store shelves use processed cocoa powder and sugars, along with bad fats, fillers, waxes, preservatives and high amounts of calories. Unprocessed Healthy Dark Chocolate versus Store Bought Chocolate — Most store bought Chocolate has been stripped of flavonols and phytonutrients and loaded with with chemical additives.

Dark Chocolate and Acai contain fiber, which aids the body’s digestive system, and contains no trans fatty acids. It does provide omega-3 fatty acids, and we all know that most Americans are severely lacking in omega 3s. These omega 3 fatty acids can help help improve brain function, protect against inflammation, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and promote immune function. Only unprocessed, Healthy Dark Chocolate (more than 70% cacao by mass) yields these marked health benefits. Unprocessed Dark Chocolate standardized for potency and purity is an excellent replacement for other candies (including white and milk chocolate).

Almost everyone loves Chocolate, wants Chocolate, craves Chocolate. Just got to have Chocolate? In a nut shell so to speak, The benefits of Dark Chocolate with Acai Berry — It is full of antioxidants, caffeine free, no preservatives, no fillers, waxes, processed sugar, or trans fats. It is diabetic friendly ( will not raise your blood sugar levels), high in fiber, boosts sense of well being and increases energy. It is cold pressed Belgian cocoa powder, Acai berry, and blueberry, high in antioxidants. Remember though, this is not store bought Chocolate, and is not sold in retail stores.

About the Author:
Cally says have some Powerhouse Cookies made with this delicious Healthy Dark Chocolate. Read everything there is to know about Healthy Dark Chocolate.
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Signs of a Stroke

August 4th, 2009 Barb Hicks
by Barb Hicks

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain has been halted due to bleeding into the brain or by the formation of a clot. This means that blood flow cannot reach other important areas of the brain, therefore resulting in a stroke. A person experiencing a stroke will begin to exhibit signs. Some signs can be minor and may last for only a few minutes, however if the signs last much longer it is imperative to seek the assistance of a medical professional. The longer the symptoms go on unattended, the more damage they can cause, thus resulting in lifelong disability.

What are the signs?

- Severe Headache – Dizziness -Blindness – Inability to speak or understand speech – Numbness or weakness on one side of the body – Tingling in the face, arms or legs

If you or anyone around you is having these symptoms, call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.

Stroke risks:

- Age: At age 55 the risk of stroke doubles every ten years after – Race – Gender: Typically, women are less likely to experience a stroke than men – Previous stroke – Fractures resulting in a fat embolism – Family History – Atrial Fibrillation

How to reduce your risk:

Manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise. Quit Smoking. Take medications as prescribed by your physician.

Diagnosis is determined via CT, MRI, or angiogram. These tests help to determine what type of stroke has occurred, its location, and the extent of damage caused.

Treatment involves clot busters, such as tPA that must be given within hours of the onset of symptoms. Surgical intervention is an option for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

After Care:

Every patient is different and so are recovery times after a stroke has occurred. A timeline can range from a few days to over a year to recover full function. In some cases, the use of physical, occupational and speech therapy may be needed.

Medications:

Thrombolytics – Clot busters that loosen or break up blood clots. The debris is cleaned up by phagocytic cells. Antiplatelet – Prevents platelet s from sticking together, thus preventing clot formation. Anticoagulants – Stops clots from forming, particularly those with A-fib who are prone to blood clots due to the rapid contractions of the atria of the heart.

If you have other chronic diseases present such as diabetes or hypertension, keeping these values in the normal range will help to prevent, or lessen the likelihood of a stroke event.

Implementing regular exercise three days a week will assist in managing or preventing high blood pressure which is the number one cause of stroke and hemorrhagic strokes.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains and nuts are all part of a healthy diet. Implementing this healthy way of eating is another great step in lowering your risk factors for stroke.

About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and featured health writer on Clivir.com. You can find here her lessons on What Causes a Stroke and other information about Early Warning Signs of Stroke.
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What Causes a Stroke

July 26th, 2009 Barb Hicks
by Barb Hicks

The biggest cause of stroke is hypertension, or high blood pressure. It is characterized by readings of 140/90 and above. Hypertension causes damage to the major organs such as the kidneys, heart, and eyes. It can also cause weakened areas in the blood vessels to burst, leading to the leakage of blood into the brain. This results in hemorrhagic stroke.

When vessels narrow and shut off blood supply, this is an Ischemic stroke. It is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries or a blood clot that grows to eventually block the artery preventing blood flow to the rest of the brain. These blood clots can come from another part of the body or form in the artery itself.

A blood clot that breaks away from other areas of the body is called an embolism. These types of blood clots create the risk factor of Atrial fibrillation.This occurs when the atria is constantly fluttering and contracting, resulting in the formation of blood clots.

Arterial blood clots are commonly found on plaque deposits. Small cracks formed in the plaque allow cells to build up, thus forming blood clots. As these clots grow and increase in size, blockage of blood flow through the artery occurs. The result of this blockage is that the cells on the other side of the clot become deprived of much needed oxygen and nutrients from the blood resulting in cell death and ischemia. This process than leads to a stroke. It is exactly the same mechanism that causes heart attacks, except it involves the heart.

Types of Stroke:

- Hemorrhagic: Bleeding into the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel. – Ischemic: Caused by narrowed or occluded arteries due to plaque deposits.

The Causes:

- Heart Disease – Atrial Fibrillation – Hypertension – Heart Disease

The risk factors include:

- Family history – Hypertension – Heart disease – Diabetes – High serum cholesterol levels – Ethnicity – Age – Prior stroke

Broken bones are another risk factor for stroke. This is especially worrisome for the elderly. Tissue from a fractured bone can travel through the bloodstream into the lungs resulting in respiratory failure. In addition, the tissue can travel to the brain resulting in a stroke or to the heart causing a heart attack.

Reducing risk factors and prevention work in unison to avoid what can be a life altering disability.

Preventative Methods:

- Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels – Manage blood sugar – Manage blood pressure levels

Healthy Diet: This includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains such as breads, nuts, cereals and pastas and lean meats such as fish and poultry. In addition to this diet regimen, altering your red meat intake to once per month will also aid in lowering your risk for stroke as well as preventing it from occurring.

About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who loves to write and share her knowledge about Early Warning Signs Of A Stroke with others. She also provides more information about Stroke Therapy on Clivir.com.
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Post Stroke Rehabilitation

June 24th, 2009 A Morris
by Andy Morris

Around 66 percent of people who have a stroke survive it and most of them will need rehabilitation. The length of time needed will vary from person to person depending on the size and position of the brain damage. For some fortunate individuals stroke rehabilitation will only need a few weeks, for others it may stretch into years.

Post stroke rehabilitation targets are

1. To help stroke patients become as independent as possible and

2. To achieve the best possible quality of life.

The brain damage suffered cannot be cured or reversed by rehabilitation but it aims to help you achieve the best possible long-term outcome in your stroke recovery.

What is Post Stroke Rehabilitation?

Post stroke rehabilitation helps you relearn the skills you lost when part of your brain was damaged by your stroke. An example of this is learning to walk again or using your hand to fasten buttons. You may also need to learn new skills to compensate for any disabilities you are left with such as washing and dressing one handed.

The key to effective recovery is practice, practice, and practice. It is unfortunately like starting over from scratch and accumulating new skills so you have to keep on practicing just like a baby when learning to walk. He or she does it and so can you.

The treatment starts in hospital as soon as you are stable and continues after your discharge back home so you are able to look after yourself without help if at all possible.

Types Of Rehabilitation

Everyone if left with different problems after a stroke and your rehabilitation will be tailored according to your needs. The range of problems you may have are

1. Paralysis or difficulty with movements

2. Loss of sensation on the affected side or discomfort

3. Problems with speaking or understanding words (known as aphasia)

4. Your memory may not be very good

5. Your emotions are much more changeable than before

There are a variety of medical staff involved in stroke rehabilitation. They include specialist stroke doctors who are in overall charge, stroke nurses who care for you day to day on the ward, physiotherapists or physical therapists who work on your muscle movement and pains, occupational therapists who help you relearn daily activities such as washing and dressing and speech therapists (or speech-language pathologists) as they are known in the USA who work with you on your speech, understanding, memory and improving your swallowing if that is a problem.

Stroke rehabilitation may be quite short but for the majority it will last for many months. The good news is you should see slow but steady improvements to encourage you to keep on plugging away and helping yourself get better.

About the Author:
The treatment of strokes is getting better all the time. Read more about strokes and recent medical advances in treatment and prevention.
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