Stroke is the medical condition which occurs as a result of a decrease of blood flow and oxygen delivery to the central nervous system and is sometimes known as a cerebral vascular accident (CVA). A stroke usually occurs either because of a clot  thrombosis) or a hemorrhage (bleeding) in one of blood vessels supplying the brain.  A stroke may result in unconsciousness, temporary or complete paralysis or weakness of a part or one half of the body (known as hemiplegia or hemiparesis), or the loss of other vital functions such as speech, vision, swallowing or balance. 

Prevention of stroke is the same as prevention of heart disease since the risk factors for both diseases are the same. The risk factors for stroke and heart disease include high blood pressure, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), cigarette smoking, and a family history of stroke or early heart disease.  Stroke prevention therefore includes control of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, as well as smoking cessation, improved diet and regular exercise.  In case one is overweight, reduction in weight by diet and exercise is also important to reduce the risk of stroke.

Sometimes there may be warning signals before the occurrence of stroke. These are termed transient ischaemic attacks (TIA). In the case of a TIA, the flow of the blood is temporarily blocked in one of the blood vessels of the brain, causing transient loss of vision/speech/weakness to a part of the body lasting less then 24 hours. Since the blood supply is only stopped or slowed for a while, the neurologic function returns to normal within 24 hours.  If such attacks occur, one should immediately seek medical attention by a physician or neurologist for proper diagnosis and prevention of a possible full-fledged stroke at a later stage.  TIA's may even occur repeatedly, in some cases, before the person develops a full stroke with loss of some vital neurologic function.  Once a stroke occurs, recovery is usually incomplete, and if brain haemorrhage occurs, it may become a medical and neurosurgical emergency.

Both stroke and heart attacks are serious and potentially life threatening medical illnesses and public education and awareness of the vascular disease risk factors can lead to improved prevention of these diseases.  

Caution: As soon as the stroke occurs, the patient should be immediately taken to the hospital for evaluation andtreatment, as the first three hours from the onset of symptoms of a stroke are vital for treatment. In these first three  hours, diagnostic studies including computed tomographic (CT) scanning/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain as well as cerebral angiography may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and cause of the stroke.  It should be clearly understood that 'this therapeutic window' for optimal treatment of a stroke with significant improvement of brain function occurs within the first three hours after the onset of neurologic symptoms.  After the first three hours of onset of symptoms, there may occur irreversible brain function damage.  Hence, immediate recognition of stroke symptoms and diagnosis of the condition and emergent treatment are of utmost importance.  Undoubtedly, prevention is vital to living an active and full life.  

 Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care