Strokes are something a lot of people are scared to talk about. This is why most people know very little about them. And that’s a big problem since there is a strong chance that you may suffer one at some point in your life. It’s very important that you not only know the causes, symptoms, and consequences of strokes, but how to prevent them as well. Let’s take a look at some of the things a lot of people don’t know about strokes in general.
They Can Affect Your Diet
Most people know that strokes can leave permanent consequences, but many people don’t know what some of these consequences are. Someone who suffers from a stroke could end up losing the ability to swallow properly, for instance, which forces them to use thickeners like SimplyThick to thicken beverages and certain foods or turn tough or grittier foods into purees. So, this is something you should be aware of if you have a history of strokes or have someone in your family who does.
Strokes and Heart Attacks Are Not the Same
A lot of people also think that strokes and heart attacks are the same. While one can cause the other, they are different conditions. A stroke is when there is a shortage of blood and oxygen in the brain and heart attacks are when there’s something mechanically wrong with the heart.
They can both leave permanent consequences, however, and poor heart health will have a direct effect on your chances of developing a stroke. So, make sure that you look into your daily habits and diet, and see a doctor immediately so you can get a proper check-up.
You Can Suffer a Stroke without Knowing it
Some people only learn that they’ve suffered a stroke after the fact, and you may have suffered a stroke once without even realizing it. These are often referred to as silent strokes because of how subtle the symptoms are. They are also more common than people think. One study performed on a group of middle-aged people found that 10% of the participants showed signs of stroke-induced brain damage without them ever showing signs of a stroke.
Signs of a silent stroke include lightheadedness, low vision, confusion, dizziness, and sudden fatigue. So, if you suffered from these symptoms before and are concerned for your health, we again suggest that you see a professional today to know exactly what’s going on.
The Chances of Long-Term Consequences Increase After the First Stroke
Prevention is extremely important when it comes to strokes, and if you already had one in your past, you need to do everything you can to prevent a second or third one from happening. This is because the chances of you suffering from long-term consequences will increase with every stroke. So, do not take things lightly and do everything your doctor tells you if you don’t want to deal with major issues later on.
Strokes are something you should take very seriously, and you should learn as much about them as you can. Look for professional advice and try to adopt sound life habits if you want to live a long, and hopefully stroke-free life.
