Back to Nature For Your Healthy Living

Information on Mini-Strokes

Less than half of the patients said they realized they were having a transient ischemic attack when the symptoms started. But

even those who suspected TIA weren’t quicker to seek medical attention. Almost all of the patients (96%) recalled their first

impressions of their symptoms. Of those patients, 42% said they thought they were having a transient ischemic attack.

However, knowing TIA’s symptoms didn’t spur people to quickly seek medical help. As for the other patients who recalled their

initial perception of their symptoms, nearly one in three said they didn’t initially know what caused their symptoms. The

rest said they suspected stress, eye problems, heart attack, or migraines were to blame.

Diet, exercise and drugs like allopurinol (all of which lower UA levels) could eventually be of value in reducing this risk,

especially for those with additional risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, the researchers say. But they

caution that it would be premature to try this now. “Over a lifetime, it is common to have a small number of these mini

strokes and not even notice,” says Schretlen, “but as the overall volume of WMH increases, the damage can seriously disrupt

how quickly we think and how effectively we learn and remember information.”

Mini-strokes should never, as the Stroke Association points out, be ignored. In some cases, they are the prelude to another,

usually more severe, attack. Studies show that after one, the chance of a further, more serious occurrence during the

following week is as high as 30 per cent. For five years after a mini-stroke, 40 per cent of sufferers are at risk of a

further attack, about half of which occur within the first year. Like major strokes, mini-strokes occur largely as a result

of fatty material that builds up on artery walls, breaking off to lodge in small blood vessels leading to the brain. Blood

clots may, similarly, be dislodged and block the flow of blood.

While there is consensus for rapid CT brain imaging, there is not agreement about the timing of other tests, such as carotid

imaging. There is some interest in the use of an Accelerated Diagnostic Protocol (ADP), coupled with an Emergency Department

Observational Unit, to avoid the average 3-day stay for admitted patients. This protocol may lower costs and reduce hospital

stays, but questions remain about the outcomes and overall quality of care that such patients receive.

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is usually defined as causing symptoms for less than 24 hours, but it is unlikely that

brain or eye is actually ischaemic for more than a few minutes. What we observe is the clinical effects of reversible

impairment of neuronal function resulting from a short period of ischaemia. The risk of stroke after a TIA is about 12% in

the first year and then about 7% a year thereafter, with risk of stroke, heart attack or vascular death being about 10% a

year. This is about seven times the risk in the background population. But there is also a high risk of stroke in the seven

days after a TIA, possibly as high as 10%.

How Can I Cope With My Alcohol Abuse Problem ?

Alcohol abuse can be tough to determine in this day and age. It seems like every 20-something is binge drinking on the

weekends. Perhaps it’s just a rite of passage? Likewise, it seems like all your coworkers are slamming back a few brews after

work to let loose. Where does one draw the line between normal and excessive alcohol consumption?

While tolerance levels vary, the general rule is that you’re drinking too much if you’re a woman who has more than 7 drinks

per week or more than 3 drinks per occasion, if you’re a man who has more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks

per occasion, or if you’re over 65 having more than 7 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks per occasion.

Can problem drinkers simply cut down on alcohol consumption to combat their abuse of it? The answer to this popular question

all depends upon the individual. For the most successful recovery from alcoholism, abstinence is really the only cure.

On the other hand, people who have experienced drinking related problems, but aren’t actually alcohol dependent, may be able

to cut back on their own. Before hitting “rock bottom,” it’s recommended that the drinkers stop covering up their alcohol

consumption, read information on alcoholism to assess the situation and avoid situations where it will be involved.

Some of the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse emerge over time in some of the more advanced stages. Common symptoms include

“the shakes,” nausea, nervousness, anxiety, sweating and depression. Often there is a loss of appetite and the individual

needs to drink more and more to sustain a buzz.

Cravings may drive the person to drinking alcohol every weekend or even every day. Delirium Tremens (DTs) is the ultimate

manifestation of severe alcohol abuse, with the drinker suffering hallucinations, nausea, agitation, confusion, the shakes

and panic attacks from alcohol related withdrawal. In 5-15% of these cases, the person may die unless treated by a medical

professional.

The good news is that people with addictions can be treated if they’re willing to accept help. For the most severe recovering

alcoholic, alcohol abuse can be treated with drugs that will reduce cravings and elevate mood levels. Scientists say

alcoholism is perpetuated by imbalances of neurotransmitters and brain chemicals that leave a person feeling unsatisfied

without alcoholic drink.

Some drugs include Campral, Vivitrex, Naltrexone and Antabuse. It’s highly recommended that the recovering alcoholic also

undergo behavioral therapy or attend the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program as well.

Find a Diet for High Cholesterol

People who are diagnosed with high cholesterol levels should be careful of what they eat. This is because the cholesterol in

their blood may shoot up to uncontrollable levels, causing severe damage to the arteries, heart, and other vital organs. If

your doctor tells you that you have to lower your blood cholesterol, what he really means is that you should cut out on

certain foods, more particularly on the fatty ones. You have to start eating healthy and living right to prevent further

damage to your heart.

High cholesterol levels are present in 7 out of every 10 people over the age of 45. This means that a vast majority of our

older adults are at high risk to have cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, angina and stroke. This alarming fact

induced the National Cholesterol Education Program and American Heart Association in 2001 to release diet guidelines - the

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet - for people afflicted with high cholesterol and who were at high risk for heart

disease.

Generally speaking, the diet for people with high cholesterol boils down to foods that you can’t eat and the foods that you

should eat. This may mean that you have to totally change your eating habits. While this is inevitable, you have to do it

because it’s the only way to prevent the development of high risk diseases such as arteriosclerosis and coronary heart

diseases.

Breakfast and Snacks Meal Suggestions

Oats or Oatmeal

Whole wheat bread

Whole grain corn

Fruits like banana or apples

Fresh fruit juice

If you have high cholesterol level, you have to eat foods rich in fiber like oats and whole grains. Fiber can dissolve the

bad cholesterol in the blood. The carbohydrates in oats, wheat, and corn can also help keep your cholesterol level within

manageable levels.

Fruits contain vitamins and minerals that everyone needs, especially people with high cholesterol levels. Most fruits are

rich in Vitamin C that can help protect the body against diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis. Banana, for example, is

rich in potassium that can regulate one’s blood pressure.

Lunch and Dinner Meal Suggestions

Turkey, lean chicken, or fish

Vegetable salad

Fruits for dessert like mango, papaya, or orange

Carrot juice

White meat is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is good for the heart. It helps

improve blood fats and the amount of good cholesterol in the body. The essential fatty acids from fish such as tuna, salmon,

and mackerel are necessary because the body doesn’t produce them at all. They can only be obtained from the food that you

eat.

Vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals. A vegetarian diet is going to be helpful for people with high

cholesterol levels. A lot of vegetables contain fiber, beta carotene, and Vitamin K that promote the health of the blood,

heart, and almost all internal organs.

People with high cholesterol should never consume trans fat, hydrogenated fats, saturated fats and dietary cholesterol. You

can avoid all these by avoiding fatty foods such as donuts, French fries, and other meals cooked in oil or hard margarine.

Also, salty and sweet foods should be avoided as well. Baked goods such as pastries, cakes, crackers, and cookies should be

eaten in moderation. Unhealthy snacks and foods with too much shortening should also be removed from your diet.

Jack L Bloom is the owner of www.dietstepbystep.com. For more information about diet for cholesterol visit

www.dietstepbystep.com/weight_loss/diet_for_high_cholesterol.aspx.

More Articles...