Terri Ramsey Beavers Besides being a leading cause of death, stroke can disrupt your life and that of your family. Many factors can increase your chances of developing a stroke. Individuals with stroke in New York can benefit from specialized care at NY Neurology Associates.
What causes stroke
A stroke occurs when blood fails to reach your brain and leads to brain cells’ death due to lack of oxygen. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blocked vein in the neck or brain and is the most common.
A clot in the vessels is known as thrombosis, and as it moves to other organs, it is referred to as an embolism. In severe cases, it can lead to stenosis or the narrowing of the artery.
Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding in the brain. Stroke is a severe medical condition that can be fatal and therefore, it is vital to be aware of the risk factors.
Signs of stroke
Some signs can signal the onset of stroke. It is essential to contact your doctor immediately when you experience these symptoms.
One major symptom is numbness on your left or right-hand side from the face, leg, and arm. Also, you may have speech problems, blurred vision, dizziness, or sudden throbbing headache.
Other complications include nausea, vomiting, and double vision. These can last a few minutes and reappear after some days. These episodes are mini-strokes and are a pointer to a severe condition that requires urgent medical attention. Do not ignore them, as seeing a doctor can prevent a major stroke.
Are you at risk of stroke?
Although everybody can be at risk of developing a stroke, some factors can accelerate the occurrence. Unfortunately, these risks cannot be prevented by lifestyle or medical techniques.
The risk of developing a stroke increases when you advance in age from 55 to 85 years. Also, children can develop stroke in the first few days after birth.
In youthful years, more men than women are at risk of stroke. However, in old age, this trend changes, and more women are likely to die from stroke.
When it comes to race, more Africans are likely to develop a stroke than Caucasians due to the increased risk of sickle cell anemia. If your family has a history of stroke, then the risk of having one is higher for you.
Manageable factors
You can manage some risk factors through medical intervention. It is essential to have regular health checks for treatment of underlying conditions that can cause a stroke. Your doctor evaluates your medical history and prescribes medication for conditions such as hypertension or high blood pressure.
Check your diet, weight, and increase your workout routine. Also, reduce sugar and salt intake and include vegetables in the diet. By controlling hypertension, you also get to manage other illnesses such as kidney failure and diabetes.
Other conditions that your doctor may investigate include heart disease, diabetes, and high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Stroke can be prevented and treated when the risk factors are known. Contact the specialists at NY Neurology Associates to know if you are at risk and the treatment options available.