A stroke occurs when part of the brain dies after going without blood for too long. In the United States, approximately 750,000 strokes happen each year. Strokes can cause long-lasting disability or even death. However, early treatment and preventive measures can reduce the brain damage that occurs because of stroke.
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic
Ischemic stroke — Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in one of the blood vessels that supply oxygen and other important nutrients to the brain. If the artery remains blocked for more than a few minutes, and enough blood can’t get through, the brain can become damaged. The majority of strokes are ischemic.
Hemorrhagic stroke — Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain leak or rupture, causing bleeding in or around the brain. This can lead to pressure within the head, which can cause damage to the brain.
Risk Factors:
Ischemic stroke risk factors include the following:
- Older than 40 years
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Illegal drug use
- Recent childbirth
- Previous history of transient ischemic attack
- Inactive lifestyle and lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Current or past history of blood clots
- Family history of cardiac disease and/orstroke
Hemorrhagic stroke risk factors include the following:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Illegal drug use (especially cocaine and “crystal meth”)
- Use of blood thinning medicines
Classic symptoms
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can be lifesaving. Classic stroke symptoms can be recalled with the acronym FAST. Each letter in the word stands for one of the things you should watch for:
- Face – Sudden weakness or droopiness of the face, or problems with vision
- Arm – Sudden weakness or numbness of one or both arms
- Speech – Difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or garbled speech
- Time – Time is very important in stroke treatment. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances are for recovery. Therefore, call an ambulance right away.
Although stroke is a condition of the brain, it can affect the entire body. A common disability that results from stroke is complete paralysis on one side of the body, called hemiplegia. A related disability that is not as debilitating as paralysis is one-sided weakness or hemiparesis.
Stroke may cause problems with thinking, awareness, attention, learning, judgment, and memory. Stroke survivors often have problems understanding or forming speech. A stroke can lead to emotional problems. Stroke patients may have difficulty controlling their emotions or may express inappropriate emotions. Many stroke patients experience depression. Stroke survivors may also have numbness or strange sensations.
Bio-Touch has been shown to alleviate the residual symptoms resulting from strokes. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to medical protocols. Family members and friends can learn how to help each other using Bio-Touch, without being concerned about negative side effects.
Our workbook includes the basic sets of points that you will need to address residual symptoms of stroke. It is best used with the entire training manual which is available on our website. The information presented in this workbook is for educational purposes only. Medical advice is neither offered nor implied. Please consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
