Stroke is one of the leading health problems that we are facing today. Statistics show that one out of three dies because of a stroke. Though it is reported risky and prevalent, the number of its victims still increases over the years. Looking at this alarming state, there should be a must to do something to combat stroke- even in slight yet beneficial human acts.
If you wish to keep a stroke away from you and your loved ones, better keep your head on and gear yourself up with sufficient knowledge on some practical ways to fight stroke!
Here are 7 Effective Ways to Combat Stroke
Start Eating Healthy Foods. Consuming only healthy foods is always on the first wellness tips in maintaining a good and sound physique- and it is for good reasons! Minimizing the risk of stroke is also one of the many benefits of eating healthily.
Maybe you should start picking fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the green ones, when inside the cafeteria or in the grocery stores. Also, try to start pulling yourself away from the temptation of opening processed foods as well as junk foods and sodas. Too much-saturated fats, salt, and cholesterol intake will heighten your risk of having a stroke.
Remember that Smoking Kills- in Many Ways. Smoking is not only a bad habit; it’s also a vice that can bring you closer to death! But we are all aware of that for sure, don’t we? If you don’t, then you better start thinking twice before planning of opening a whole new pack of a cigarette!
Carbon monoxide and nicotine are chemicals present in the cigarette that quicken the process of narrowing arteries. Having narrow arteries increases the chance of having a stroke because blood flows harder through the vessels that can cause a total blockage. Moreover, cigarette increases the formation of blood clots resulting in a more thickened blood which is the reason for obstruction to smooth blood flow.
Shake Your Body and Do Some Workouts. Aside from a reason of being physically fit, exercising also reduces the chance of having a stroke. Workouts naturally fight obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol- which are the key contributors to stroke. Thus, when you keep on shaking, you are also doing an effort in maintaining your blood pressure low.
Keeping your blood pressure low is an important thing to do since having a high blood pressure goes hand-in-hand with diabetes since both raises your risk of heart diseases, kidney diseases, stroke, and other health problems. Which is why your doctor will surely tell you to control your blood pressure. And in this case, exercising is one of the actions that you can do to help your body out.
That’s why it is not too late to start exercising! Nothing should be able to stop you from shaking and moving. Since exercising does not only mean enrolling to heavy gym sessions or running miles of a marathon, but simple daily activities like walking around the neighborhood and dropping elevators for stairs are already effective means of squeezing sweat out from the body.
Drink Alcoholic Beverages Moderately. Alcohol consumption benefits our body, but it should be in moderation and not to the point of gulping dozens of buckets of beer. Like a cigarette, alcohol can also cause you stroke, especially if there is too much consumption infrequent basis.
Heavy alcohol drinking can accelerate high blood pressure and triglyceride which can trigger stroke. To control alcohol level in the body, limit yourself to only 1 pint of liquor a day and if possible, switch to red wine because it is believed to have resveratrol that protects the heart and the brain.
Do Not Ignore Your Diabetes. If you are already diagnosed with diabetes, the more cautious you should be in fighting stroke. Diabetes, aside from being a chronic condition, also brings a lot of health complications to the body because it can perilously cut blood supply to the brain.
Additionally, diabetes can narrow arteries especially the ones in the neck and the brain, resulting in a harder flow of the blood going through the brain. Hence, it is necessary to manage diabetes to avoid further complications and brush-off the chance of stroke.
Now, if you are still unsure or you’re on a lookout for signs and is not sure of the symptoms of diabetes, then here are some of the signs that you should be wary of:
- Frequent urination
- Thirstier for water
- Dry mouth and itchy skin
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Weight Loss
- Blurred Vision
- Nausea and vomiting
Takeaway
Stroke is timely. Yes, it is! However, having one is not magically laid on you; it is defined through your lifestyle. If you choose to live a healthy way of living, you’ll sure sweep stroke off of you. On the contrary, if you live in a not so healthy way, then you’ll inevitably suffer the consequences including facing the risk of stroke.
If in case time got late for you to take the healthier lifestyle and had already experienced stroke, then it is time for you to double your effort to live a longer life. You should already take medications like Verapamil – through the prescription and approval of your doctor of course!