Strokes are a real threat. Thousands of people die every minute because of them, so knowing more about the condition is critical for staying safe. It is true, no one can really be prepared for a stroke, and they’re harder to prevent than you think. The secret here is enjoying a healthy lifestyle and staying vigilant to the signs.
Interestingly, some signs could predict a stroke a decade before it happens! And this is a big deal; after all, you’re never too early to make some changes in your life, especially if that means you can prevent a stroke.
What is a stroke, anyway?
There are two types of strokes, the ischemic stroke, in which you have a blocked artery, and the hemorrhagic stroke, in which you have a leaking blood vessel. In both cases, strokes cause reduced blood flow and sometimes dangerous blood clots that find their way to your brain, where blood vessels are narrow.
Strokes are dangerous because some parts of your brain might not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients to function, and the brain cells can die in just a few minutes. This brain damage can cause paralysis, memory loss and even death.
How to Know If You’re at Risk of Getting a Stroke?
The brain is complex, and it will react negatively to any problem in your system, sometimes without you even noticing it. A recent study shows that some people who suffered a stroke had already been experiencing mental decline up to a decade before the brain finally collapsed.
Early signs of dementia are a reliable sign that something is not right with your circulatory system and brain, and it can lead to a stroke. If you’re suffering from signs of dementia, it’s time to make some changes in your life. So, what are these signs?
The Most Common Signs of Dementia
The most common signs of dementia are varied. Some include memory loss, and others have to do with difficulty solving problems or impaired movement. Dementia is an umbrella term for everything related to abnormal behavior — more often than not, things we could do before and now we can’t.
Early signs of dementia also include mood swings and paranoia. Add to that disorientation and loss of balance, and you might be looking at more than dementia — these might be early signs of a possible stroke. Although there’s little you can do to stop mental health problems, you might prevent them.
How to Reduce the Risk of Suffering a Stroke?
If you want to prevent dementia and strokes, your best bet is to enjoy a healthy lifestyle early on. A healthy and balanced diet, working out a little, and spending time with your loved ones are good ways of keeping your brain nourished and active.
You need not be an athlete either; it’s the small changes that matter. If you eat unhealthy food and do nothing all day, you’re at risk of suffering dementia first and possibly a stroke in a few years. In other words, move around a little and ditch junk food!
If There’s a Way to Prevent Strokes, This is It.
Don’t wait until you start to feel off; begin right now, no matter how old you are. Preventing a stroke is all about being healthy your entire life. The good news? It’s never too late to make some changes to your lifestyle. Get rid of those unhealthy habits (you know what they are) and try a little harder to eat and live healthier.
While you’re at it, share this information with your loved ones. Making changes to your life and creating good habits is easier when you have support from your friends and family.
