Stroke: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, is a serious medical condition characterized by the sudden interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain. This interruption may be due to a clot blocking an artery (ischemic stroke) or to a hemorrhage caused by the rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Strokes are medical emergencies requiring prompt treatment to minimize sequelae and reduce the risk of death.

Key Symptoms to Watch For

Stroke presents with alarming warning signs such as:  A sudden weakness of a part of the body.  Speech difficulties.  Loss of vision in one eye.  Sudden confusion. Recognizing these symptoms quickly can limit sequelae and even save lives.

Etiology

There are multiple risk factors, including:  High blood pressure.  Diabetes.  Smoking.  Obesity.  High cholesterol.  Certain heart rhythm disorders, like atrial fibrillation. Ischemic strokes are often linked to atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries or carotid stenosis. Hemorrhagic strokes may result from the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation. Strokes can also be favored by coagulation disorders, autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases, and other vascular risk factors. Other less common causes of stroke include conditions such as inflammatory arteritis, carotid dissection, tumors, or coagulation disorders.

Treatment

Treatments for cerebrovascular accident (stroke) differ depending on whether it is an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, based on the nature and severity of the episode. For an ischemic stroke, resulting from an obstruction of a cerebral artery:  An injection of thrombolytics is used to dissolve blood clots and restore circulation in affected vessels.  A thrombectomy, an endovascular procedure, can be performed to remove the clot responsible for obstruction and restore blood flow. In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by a rupture of a blood vessel and bleeding in the brain:  Medications like anticoagulants, thrombolytics, or antiplatelets are contraindicated, as they may worsen the hemorrhage. If the patient was taking anticoagulants, specific treatments may be administered to neutralize their effects.  Measures are taken to promote coagulation and stabilize the patient's condition, while supportive care aims to control risk factors like hypertension.  In case of severe hemorrhage, surgery may be necessary to evacuate accumulated blood and reduce pressure on the brain.

Prevention

Stroke prevention involves controlling risk factors like hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, physical activity, smoking cessation, and reducing alcohol consumption. A healthy lifestyle should be adopted. This includes a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, and maintaining a normal weight.