A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood and oxygen to the brain gets blocked or ruptured. With the brain cells getting deprived of blood and oxygen, the nerve cells stop working and die within minutes. The part of the brain they control also stops functioning. This effect can be permanent depending on how many cells are lost. Going by statistics, roughly 800,000 persons in the US become victims of stroke each year, making this an average of one person suffering from a stroke every 4 minutes. Not surprisingly, this has become the leading cause of disability and is among the top five leading causes of death in the US. And for most of those who survive, a host of life-time debilitating conditions persist – from changes in mobility, speech, bowel functions and more. Suffering a stroke though, does not mean an end to living, in general. With the…

There is nothing more devastating than when one’s family or loved one suffers from a stroke. A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of blood either due to the blockage of arteries or a rupture in a weak blood vessel of the brain that causes blood to leak into the brain. In either case, the brain becomes deprived of proper blood flow, leading brain cells to die. The quicker a stroke is diagnosed, the quicker doctors can treat the patient to supply proper blood flow to the brain in order to mitigate the effects of a stroke. In many cases, patients need to undergo rehabilitation to recover from one. Rehabilitation Stroke recovery can take time – but perhaps more disheartening is the emotional and physical toll of seeing how one switches from normally functioning to a debilitating state in an instant, suddenly becoming reliant on others’ care. Unfortunately, strokes…

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, more than 91,500 Canadians died of either a stroke or heart disease in 2016. That is the equivalent of one death every seven seconds. A stroke occurs when a blood clot prevents blood flow to the brain. This leaves important brain cells without oxygen, impairing functions such as memory and muscle control. The effects of a stroke can vary based on severity, but even minor symptoms can still leave people weak in their arms or legs. More severe strokes can leave people completely paralyzed on one side of the body and completely disabled. The frightening part of having a stroke is that there is no prior warning. However, the good news is that strokes can be prevented, and one key element to this is your diet. Here are some food items that have been negatively associated with an increase in stroke risk. Processed…

A stroke affects a person in a variety of ways — not only physically, but also emotionally. The emotional effects of a stroke can then go on to change a person’s behaviour. Emotional changes occur because the stroke has injured the brain, which controls both emotions and behaviour. This is often very difficult for families, especially familial caretakers, to deal with. If you or your loved one has experienced a stroke, here are some behavioural changes that can occur. It may make you feel better to know that behaviour changes can improve over time. Sadness, Low Mood, Loss Of Interest, Inability To Manage Life Sadness, a low mood, a loss of interest in things that once interested them, as well as an inability to manage their lives are both emotional and behavioural changes that can occur after a stroke. They are all symptoms of depression, which is the most common…

The recovery process is critical to the long-term health of anyone who has suffered a stroke. Rehabilitation and other care services must be properly administered in order to allow individuals to return to their daily living. The effects of a stroke can severely impact the person who has experienced the stroke and their loved ones. The recovery period can be long and many obstacles may arise along the way. Understanding the following three tips for an effective stroke recovery gives you the tools and resources you need to care for your loved one. Understand the Effects of a Stroke In order to ensure an effective stroke recovery, family members and caregivers must have an understanding of strokes and their impacts. A stroke occurs when the brain is unable to get the oxygen it needs to function. This typically occurs when blood flow is obstructed. It can lead to long-term damage…