Strokes are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the USA, and yet, so many people don’t truly understand what they are or even understand the early symptoms. There are also many misconceptions about why strokes happen and how to prevent them. If you feel like you may be at risk of getting a stroke, or may have even suffered one before, you cannot afford to be ignorant on the subject. Let’s take a look at some of the things many people don’t know about strokes.
They’re not Always Evident
A lot of people have a very dramatic view of strokes and assume that they will automatically get them to the hospital, but there is such a thing as a mild stroke. As a matter of fact, you may have suffered a stroke without even knowing it.
While most strokes will require an automatic medical intervention, there are some cases where the symptoms are very subtle. Some of the symptoms of a mild stroke include numbness on one side of the body in the arms, legs, or face, dizziness and loss of balance, headaches, or sudden vision problems.
So, if you think you may be at risk and have suffered any of these symptoms or suffer them regularly, you should consider visiting your doctor right now so you can get to the root of the issue.
They Can Lead to a Whole Variety of Chronic Conditions
If you’ve already suffered a stroke, you need to be very careful as your next one could lead to serious problems. You could also suffer permanent health issues after a first stroke.
Some people lose some of their mobility after strokes. Others have reported having psychological and mental issues after strokes like communication problems, mental fog and confusion, and even heightened social anxiety.
Another chronic condition that affects many people after a stroke is dysphagia. Dysphagia is a little-known condition where sufferers lose their ability to swallow properly. People who suffer from this condition may have to completely reorganize their diet and use thickeners like Simply Thick to make their meals easier to swallow. They may even have to add thickeners to liquids and drink thickened water. Learn as much as you can about this disorder and other chronic disorders caused by strokes so you’ll be prepared.
Strokes and Heart Attacks are Not the Same Things
A lot of people think that strokes and heart attacks are the same, and, while they share some similarities, they are very different. The main difference between a heart attack and a stroke is that heart attacks are caused by a cardiac malfunction while strokes are caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain.
The causes for both conditions are often different too. Heart attacks are usually the result of a condition specific to the heart. Strokes, on the other hand, can be caused by a variety of issues that prevent oxygenated blood from getting to the brain such as hypertension or diabetes. So, it would again be wise to learn about these two conditions so you can identify the symptoms and prevent them from happening.
Now that you know a little more about strokes, you’ll be better equipped to prevent them. You’ll also know what to do if you suffer from one and what to expect your life to be after.
