According to U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the five major signs of stroke are the sudden onset of:
- Weakness or feeling, only on one side of any part of the body viz face, leg or arm. This sensation could be complete or partail.
- Facing confusion while speaking or understanding.
- Blurred vision in one or both eyes
- Problem in walking loss of balance or dizziness
- Severe headache with no cause
While ministrokes are considered brief blockages of the blood supply causing temporary stroke symptoms.
Recently Swedish researchers revealed after taking a study on 379 stroke patients and 117 transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ministroke patients, that women lead poorer quality of life after a stroke or ministroke than their counterparts, men. The study which is published in the recent August issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing, was based on quality-of-life survey which measured physical, emotional and social aspects of their health.
How to keep away from having a stroke?
You will have to adopt healthy eating habits which in turn can reduce the risk factors for stroke viz high blood pressure, poor cholesterol level and excess weight diets which contain high saturated fat, trans fat etc. When you take diet with high salt intake it contribute to increase blood pressure while high-calorie diets increases blood cholesterol levels.Remember a diet containing five or more servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of stroke.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recommends the following diet for healthy living:
- Consume a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
- Opt whole-grain, high-fiber foods.
- Eat fish at least twice a week.
- Control cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat. Avoiding somewhat hydrogenated oils will reduce trans fats.
- Prefer lean meats and poultry, and prepare them without using saturated or trans fats.
- Select fat-free, 1-precent or low-fat dairy products.
- Cut back on drinks and foods with added sugars.
- Choose healthy foods like broiled fish and citrus fruits. Also, spices add flavor to food and serve as a good substitute for salt.
- Opt colorful, visually appealing foods, such as salmon, carrots and dark green vegetables.
- Cut foods into small pieces to make them easier to chew.
Healthy Breakfast tips
- Instead of pancakes take whole-grain waffle with fresh fruit.
- Instead of pancakes take omelet or scrambled eggs.
- Rather than Croissant, pastry or muffin you can savor whole-wheat bagel with low-fat cream cheese
