STROKES – Lifestyle Modification & Natural Medicine can Prevent Strokes

Strokes

One stroke always follows another stroke but strokes can be prevented.

How common is a stroke?

• It is the third most common cause of death in SA.
• ⅔ of all patients are older than 65 years of age.
• ¼ of all patients are younger than 45 years of age.
• 20% of SA will be a stroke or heart patient before age 60.

The brain

• The most delicate organ in the body – without the brain or parts thereof the body cannot function.
• 100 billion cells in brain.
• Each area has a function and brain is very dependant on O₂ and CHO (carbohydrates).
• The above is transported by blood via the big arteries.
• When these arteries get blocked, oxygen does not get to the cells and they die within 3 minutes.
• When brain cells die they don’t get replaced.
• Dead brain cells secrete toxic substances which can be dangerous to neighboring cells.

What happens when you have a stroke?

• Strokes occur when blood flow is cut off to a certain area in the brain because of ischemia or when hemorrhage takes place and bleeding does damage to the brain.
• The area that is cut off determines which parts of the body will be affected.
• Left sided strokes affect the right side and vice versa.
• Stokes on the right side of the brain can cause lameness of left arm, leg and can affect left side of face.

Immediate treatment is necessary

• Scary is that the majority of patients only seek help 24h after the stroke.
• The first 3-6 hours are the most important part of treatment.
• Modern medicine can dissolve the blood clot or rescue neighboring cells if acted within 3-6 hours.

The big five symptoms – watch out for

• Sudden tiredness or num feeling in face, arm or leg on one or both sides of the body.
• Loss of vision or double vision.
• Difficulty in speech or understanding what people say.
• Sudden severe headaches without a particular cause.
• Unexplainable dizziness or tendency to fall.

Other symptoms

• Not able to walk.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Loss of control over bladder and intestines.
• Unconsciousness or fainting.

Important

The above symptoms can come and go.  This can happen because the clot has dissolved and blood supply has been restored to a specific area.   In 60% of cases these symptoms are warning signs of a massive stroke that is to follow.

Prevention

• Blood thinning agents like: Warfarin; Omega 3&6; Vit E
• Cholesterol lowering drugs – conventional or natural.
• Supplements like folic acid 0,8mg; vitamin C 2000-3000mg; vitamin E 200-400IU; vitamin A 5000IU; Melatonin 3-10mg === daily dosages of each.
• One stroke follows another stroke – and the follow ups are worse.  The correct treatment can prevent future attacks – discuss with physician.
• Garlic – reduce strokes and heart attacks with 30%.
• Potassium – 3500mg per day – eat lots of vegetables and fruit daily.
• Super antioxidants: alpha-lipoic acid, grapeseed extract and Coenzyme Q10.
• Nattokinase 100mg – take one to two capsules daily to clean the arteries and improve blood flow.

Risk factors for strokes

Controllable factors

• High blood pressure – 78% men and 65% women with high BP are obese.
• Heart diseases like heart valve problems, arrhythmias and coronary heart problems
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol – high risk of coronary artery disease
• Low cholesterol – increase risk for strokes – latest research in Japan
• High homocysteine levels – if you reduce your H-levels from 16 to 6 – you will reduce your stroke risk by 75%.
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Arthrosclerosis
• Ischemia
• High transfat diets
• Inactivity – exercise reduce strokes with 50%
• High alcohol consumption
• Habit forming drugs like cocaine and heroine
• Synthetic Estrogen and oral contraceptives

Ideal test scores for cardiovascular health

Uncontrollable factors

• Family history of strokes
• Age
• Men
• Race – more strokes amongst blacks

Treatment

• Get to hospital ASAP
• Stroke patients require intense observation for first 24 hours.  Bed rest, oxygen and IV medication are part of main stream approach.
• High BP and arrhythmias will also be attended too.
• Exercise – will start as soon as you can as part of rehab.
• Rehab can takes months and people from the following disciplines will also be used like: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
• Physiotherapy will help strengthen the weakened muscles so that you can get along.
• Occupational therapy will help you to eat and to look after yourself.
• Speech therapy will assist the patient to swallow, speak and how to understanding words.
• Treatment will continue till the end.

In a nut shell – after the stroke back at home

• Exercise – it will reduce strokes with 50%
• Normalise blood pressure and loose weight if necessary
• Diet – 3 extra portions of fruit or vegetables will reduce strokes with 22% and garlic will reduce heart attacks and strokes with 30%.
• Supplements – daily dosage of – multivitamins and multiminerals; aspirin 100mg; vitamin E 400IU; antioxidants like Coenzyme Q10; vitamin C 2000mg  and Omega 3 1200-2400mg.

References:

1. New Optimum Nutrition Bible – Patrick Holford
2. Prescription Alternatives – Earl Mindell
3. Natural medicine  – Beth Maceoin
4. Herbal Medicine  – expanded commission E Monographs
5. Genesende Voeding  – Dr Willem Serfontein
6. Gesondheid vir `n leeftyd – Dr Christiaan