More than 55 000 women die from stroke every year. Stroke is a disease which occurs due to interrupted blood flow to the brain, and is more common in women than men. Although men lead less healthy lifestyle than women in general, women are more prone to stroke.
The symptoms of stroke in women
Although the exact cause behind the higher risk of stroke in women is not yet discovered, it’s probably related to the fact that women live longer than men, and the risk of stroke increases as we age. Stroke occurs due to interrupted blood flow to the brain which results in less oxygen and cell death. Depending on the cause, there are different types of stroke; ischemic stroke occurs due to lack of blood flow while hemorrhagic occurs due to internal bleeding. There’s also a mini stroke that is seen as a warning sign for a more serious stroke. Don’t ignore mini strokes as they are often the thin line between life and death!
Many women aren’t even aware that they experienced a mini stroke, so it’s vital to learn how to recognize the symptoms of the event and seek medical attention immediately. Here are the most common factors for stroke in both genders:
- Cardiovascular diseases;
- Being overweight;
- High blood pressure;
- Diabetes;
- Excessive use of drugs;
- High cholesterol levels;
- Physical inactivity.
These are the factors that increase the risk of stroke in women:
- Pregnancy;
- Constant use of contraceptive pills;
- Migraines;
- Mental health;
- Hormone replacement therapy.
Here are the common symptoms of stroke in males and females:
- Numbness;
- Vision problems;
- Confusion;
- Headaches;
- Weakness and nausea.
Besides these symptoms, women may also experience vomiting, hiccups, anxiety, shortness of breath, hallucinations or behavioral changes.
In order to reduce the risk of stroke, you should rest properly overnight and stay mentally and physically active. Stress is a big factor for strokes as well, so try to relax by doing yoga or meditation. Experts recommend eating a healthy diet and using olive oil for cooking due to its incredible health benefits. Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check is also a must, and maintaining your weight should help as well. Finally, diabetes tests can detect certain problems with your health and may help you prevent a stroke.
Early detection of stroke by recognizing the symptoms on time is key for prevention of the disease. If ignored, the symptoms will lead to a stroke which can have devastating consequences on your health. Stroke can bring cognitive impairment, paralysis, difficulty speaking, personality changes and loss of memory, so it’s not something that should be taken lightly. Depending on the severity of the stroke and the location, strokes can affect a person in different ways – it if occurs in the left hemisphere of the brain, it will affect the centers for speech and language; if it occurs in the right side, it will result in loss of memory and impaired cognition. If the stroke affects the cerebellum, it will cause abnormal reflexes, balance problems and headaches.
The recovery process involves speech and physical therapy, and the sufferers often need help in simple everyday activities. Stroke can cause a dramatic change in your life, which is why you need to recognize the early symptoms and get immediate medical help.
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