As per American Diabetes Association(ADA), diabetes is a well known amplifier of stroke. If you are diabetic, your chances of stroke are 1.5 times higher than normal. Hence, it is necessary to prevent the possibility of stroke in diabetes.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, either by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels, or when there is bleeding in the brain. Deprived of nutrients, brain nerve cells begin to die within a few minutes. As a result, a stroke can cause sensory and vision loss, problems with talking and walking, or difficulty in thinking clearly. In many cases, the effects of stroke are irreversible.
Symptoms of a stroke:
• Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, or difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden vision problems, such as blurry vision or a partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance and coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Other symptoms that are less common, but still important, are sudden nausea, vomiting, brief loss of consciousness, or decreased consciousness, such as fainting and convulsions.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also called ‘mini-stroke’
Sometimes, people experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called “mini-stroke,” which also requires prompt medical evaluation. When a TIA occurs, stroke symptoms may last only temporarily and then disappear. Most TIA symptoms disappear within an hour, but they may persist up to 24 hours.
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Two broad categories of stroke:
1. Controllable Risk Factors
• Carotid Artery Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Cigarette Smoking
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Warning Signs or History of Stroke
• Lack of Exercise
• Obesity
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption
• High Cholesterol
2. Uncontrollable Risk Factors
• Advanced Age
• Previous Stroke
• Heredity
• Race
Stroke prevention guidelines
• Know your blood pressure, have it checked at least once a year
• Find out if you have atrial fibrillation, which encourages the formation of blood clots that could cause a stroke
• If you smoke, stop
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
• Find out if you have high cholesterol
• If you have diabetes, take measures to control the condition
• Include exercise in your daily routine
• Eat a low-salt diet
• Ask your physician if you have circulation problems that could increase the risk of stroke and
If you experience any stroke symptoms, including sudden weakness of the face or a limb, a blurring of vision, dizziness, or an intense headache, seek immediate medical attention.