Strokes— Statistics and Prevention
In order of predominance, the leading causes of death in the U.S. are (1) cancer (2) cardiovascular disease and (3) stroke. The main cause of strokes are blocked carotid arteries (80%) and more than half of the people who have strokes have absolutely no symptoms prior to stroke onset.
Half of the Medicare costs go directly to patients with strokes. Strokes are either caused by ischemia (poor blood flow from the carotid arteries), a clot from local or distant tissues or from a bleed (arterial hemorrhage within the brain from weakened vessels or injury).
Since most of the strokes in the US are caused by narrowing carotid arteries, we look first at preventing this. Lifestyle plays a large role here. First, make sure your blood pressure is not high. Second make sure that you have plenty of essential fatty acids in your diet. If you are at higher risk than normal (overweight, smoker, high blood pressure), consider an enzyme called nattokinase to go along with the fish oil and it works as good as taking Coumadin, better than aspirin at preventing clot formation and plaque buildup.
If you are reading this article and you or someone you know suffered a stroke, the absolute best medicine you will ever receive for this is Hyperbaric Oxygen. (See insert at end of this article). Very few hospitals will offer this care to stroke victims, yet it should absolutely be the first line treatment to restore optimal oxygenation to the starving tissue.
There are genetic predispositions to strokes that go completely unknown until the first stroke, called Atriovenous Malformation. The only way one would know of such a condition is to have an angiogram to look for backflow of the vessels or to have an MRI, which does have some false negative outcomes.
Therefore, knowing which symptoms may suggest an onset of a stroke, or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is as follows:
Sudden…
* numbness or weakness of anywhere in the body
* dizziness, loss of balance
* trouble speaking or understanding speech
* confusion
* severe headache
* loss of vision or sudden dimness
Prevention is key:
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment3 Comments
I have been taking a 12.5 dose of coumadin for 11 years due to a pulmonary embolism and due to a blood disorder(anti-phosolipid deficiency) will the rest of my life. For the past year I have also been taking 1000 mg of Salmon Oil and Reversatrol supplements.
May 9, 2009 - 11:25pmShould I continue this regime? I have not noticed any side effects. My pt and inr is what the drs. want it to be around 2.5.
Thank you.
This Comment
Hi, Anon.
I also pulled your question out and gave it a title of its own so that others might see it and answer you. Here is the thread where you can follow it:
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/are-these-stroke-meds-and-suppleme...
May 12, 2009 - 8:34amCurrently a stroke is not an approved indication for HBOT according the the UHMS. Here is a list of approved indications from their website:
The following indications are approved uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as defined by the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee. The Committee Report can be purchased directly through the UHMS.
1
Air or Gas Embolism
2
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Complicated by Cyanide Poisoning
3
Clostridal Myositis and Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene)
4
Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, and other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
5
Decompression Sickness
6
Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
7
Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
8
Intracranial Abscess
9
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
10
Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
11
Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis)
12
Skin Grafts & Flaps (Compromised)
13
Thermal Burns
http://uhms.org/ResourceLibrary/Indications/tabid/270/Default.aspx
May 11, 2009 - 5:38am