Stroke is a life-threatening condition caused by the obstruction of blood flow to a region of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and a loss of neural function. In the U.S., stroke is the leading cause of adult disability and the third most common cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. Every year, approximately 750,000 Americans will suffer a stroke and more than 160,000 will die from it.
Strokes are classified as either ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes account for roughly 80% of all incidences of stroke and are due to interruptions in blood supply to regions of the brain. This usually results from the blockage of an artery by a blood clot. Hemorrhagic strokes are frequently associated with hypertension and are caused by excessive bleeding within or around the brain. The excess blood places pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, leading to the destruction of brain cells.
A stroke may cause five types of disabilities:
Risks. The risk factors for stroke are varied and include advanced age, hypertension (the most important modifiable factor of stroke), obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of stroke, cigarette smoking, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), migraines, coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AF), and sleep apnea, as well as head and neck injuries and drug and alcohol abuse. Controlling the risk factors for stroke is crucial to stroke prevention. If you are suffering from any of these conditions, talk to your primary care physician to get them treated as soon as possible.
Signs and Symptoms. Because of the seriousness of a stroke, the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms can be useful and even life-saving. The signs and symptoms of stroke vary according to the type and severity of the stroke. Regardless of the degree or duration, sudden onset of any of the following symptoms requires immediate attention and medical assistance: paralysis on one side or part of the body, numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially if it is localized to one side of the body, trouble speaking or understanding others, trouble seeing with one or both eyes, difficulty walking or loss of balance or coordination, confusion and dizziness, and severe headaches with no known cause.
Stroke Prevention. There are actions every person can take to try to prevent or at least to lower the risk of stroke. One of these is diet. Pay careful attention to what you consume. Choose foods that are low in sodium (salt), saturated fats, and trans-fats and opt for wheat flour instead of white flour products. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, coffee, and sugar and try to stay away from spicy foods and fried foods. Also be sure to consume adequate amounts of fiber and protein. Two-thirds of your daily intake of fiber should come from fruits and vegetables. White meats (e.g., chicken or turkey), deep sea fish, beans, peas, and soy products are all good sources of protein and are generally healthier than red meats.
Getting adequate exercise each week is another factor that helps reduce the risk of stroke. Tai-Chi, yoga, Pilates, speed walking, swimming, jogging, and biking are all good forms of exercise. In addition, try to integrate moderate cardio exercise in your routine 5 days a week for 30-45 minutes.
Lifestyle choices are among the most important factors that can help a person stay healthy and invigorated. Try to go to bed by 10:30 pm and get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. In daily life, practicing positive thinking and stress management also help to improve mood and health. If you are suffering from depression or high levels of stress, talk to your family members and friends and seek the help of a psychologist or therapist if necessary.
Rehabilitation. A stroke can be frightening, both for the victim and for the victim's loved ones but, if it should occur, the next step is rehabilitation, which begins as soon as the stroke patient is stable. This usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours after the stroke. For many patients, rehabilitation is an ongoing process that can last from months to years. The two major goals of rehabilitation are to help patients maintain the best possible quality of life, allowing them to become as independent as possible, and to prevent the reoccurrence of stroke.
Acupuncture and Post-Stroke Rehabilitation. In China, the incidence of stroke is lower than that in the U.S. and patients tend to recover to a greater degree. This is not because the Chinese are physically different than Americans. Rather, it is largely due to differences in diet, lifestyle, and post-stroke treatment. In China, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine play a major role in post-stroke treatment for patients. Many clinical trials and studies involving thousands of acute and post-stroke patients published in China and Japan provide ample evidence that acupuncture is significant in helping stroke patients recover. Stroke patients undergoing acupuncture treatment, often in combination with Traditional Chinese Medicine, recovered more quickly, performed better in self-care, and required less nursing and rehabilitation therapy than stroke patients not undergoing acupuncture treatment.
Finally, on a more personal note, having practiced acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 20 years, I have treated hundreds of stroke patients. My experience tells me that acupuncture is effective in helping stroke patients recover and that the sooner a stroke patient begins acupuncture treatments following a stroke, the more successful the road to recovery.