WeSA国际影视传媒檝e kinda been on pause because of Covid-19, but strokes did not go on pause. Eschia, take it easy eh!

World Stroke Day is Oct. 29, so ISA国际影视传媒檓 gonna talk about strokes today.

One summer my dad called me around 4 a.m. in the morning. He said SA国际影视传媒淚 tried to get out of bed and my legs were like spaghetti.SA国际影视传媒� He said he was disoriented and the only phone number he could remember was mine so he called me.

I asked if his chest was sore and he said no. I asked if he could move his arms and legs and he yes, he just couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 stand. I thought stroke or heart attack, so I told him he was going to be ok and that I was going to call the ambulance and would come right over.

When I got to my dadSA国际影视传媒檚 place, the ambulance was just arriving. He had managed to mostly dress himself, so we got him off to the hospital quickly.

We found out my dad had had a stroke. We were lucky. First, his phone was right by his bed, or who knows how long he would have laid there without medical assistance. Second, I had a key to his door, so we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to break in.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when something stops the blood flowing to our brain, and the brain is damaged.

If the stroke happens in the left side of the brain, it causes things like right side paralysis; speech and language problems; slow behavioral style; and memory loss.

A stroke in the right side of the brain causes things like paralysis on the left side; vision problems; quick, inquisitive behavioral style; and memory loss.

If the stroke happens in the brain stem, we can be left unable to speak or have any movement below the neck. Whoa.

How do I recognize a stroke has happened? Look for FAST!

Face: is it drooping?

Arms: can you raise both?

Speech: is it slurred or jumbled?

Time to call 911 right away!

There are also less common signs, like blurred or double vision; sudden severe headache, usually with other signs; numbness SA国际影视传媒� usually on one side of the body; and balance problems.

Risk factors

Things that increase our risk of having a stroke are called risk factors, and most of us have at least one risk factor. Mama mia.

We can control many risk factors, including unhealthy diet, being physically inactive, being too over weight, smoking, stress, and abusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Risk factors we canSA国际影视传媒檛 control include being male or female. For instance a womanSA国际影视传媒檚 risk of stroke increases after menopause.

Also, the older we get the greater the risk of having a stroke. And, if a close relative had a stroke when they were young, this increases the risk.

Additionally, people of Indigenous, African or South Asian heritage, are likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes or other risk factors at a younger age.

Conditions we have can also be a risk. For instance, high blood pressure and cholesterol are major risk factors for stroke. So, get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Oh ya.

Having diabetes, irregular heart rhythm, and disorders of the mind that affect our mental ability also increase our chances of stroke.

Prevention is key

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 very important to develop habits to reduce our risk, but donSA国际影视传媒檛 try to change everything at once. Tackle one or two things at a time.

First, eat a healthy diet. Try to have 7-10 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. And eat foods that are high in fibre like wild and brown rice, oatmeal, vegetables, fruit, beans and lentils.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 very important to eat protein every day, and it is found in meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, nuts and legumes.

Eat a minimum amount of salt, sugar and fat, and cook meals from scratch, using unprocessed foods. This is very important because producers usually remove nutrients and add salt and sugar to processed foods. Totally uncool.

Staying active is important, so move, move, move. For instance, try to go for a 30 minute walk every day, shovel snow, cut wood, walk the dog, rake leaves, or play a sport.

DonSA国际影视传媒檛 stop there; get ideas on being more active from people like fitness experts. And for heavens sake, stop smoking and abusing alcohol and drugs.

Finally, reduce stress in your life by identifying what stresses you and how to manage the stressors. You should also learn lifelong habits to maintain a healthy weight.

When my dad had his stroke, the doctor said he would never walk without a cane, but he worked hard in physiotherapy and at home and he never did use one. And, he lived another 15 years, dying at the age of 87 from a heart attack.

I went to visit him when he was still in hospital, and soon a nurse came in. She said, SA国际影视传媒渄o you want to go to the bathroom Fred? ISA国际影视传媒檒l help you.SA国际影视传媒� My dad quickly jumped up.

She put her arm around his waist and said, SA国际影视传媒淧ut your arm around my neck.SA国际影视传媒� He happily complied. When he came out of the bathroom, again she put her arm around his waist and he put his arm around her neck.

Just when they got to the bed, a second nurse came in and said, SA国际影视传媒淔red, you know youSA国际影视传媒檙e not supposed to get up.SA国际影视传媒� My dad smiled happily and said, SA国际影视传媒淥h ya!SA国际影视传媒�

The first nurse said, SA国际影视传媒淔red, you old bugger! Why didnSA国际影视传媒檛 you tell me.SA国际影视传媒� Hahahhahahahaha my dad was always good for a laugh.

Remember, strokes do not take a pause but prevention is key.