Besides cancer and heart diseases, stroke is the third leading cause of death. Approximately 1/4 of all stroke victims die as a direct result of the stroke or its complications.

If you've ever witnessed someone suffer a stroke, you understand the humbling nature of this disease. It can reduce the mightiest human being to an immobile, helpless creature. Impairment of crucial functions like speech, walking, and control of bowel and bladder can wrench control from the body in a moment.

Stroke, also called cerebrovascular accident or brain attack, is a sudden impairment of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the brain. Strokes interrupt the oxygen supply to the brain tissues and can cause serious damage.

A stroke is really a "brain attack!" Just like a heart attack effects the heart, a stroke or "brain attack" affects the brain. Vital blood and oxygen to the brain cells are cut off resulting in some level of damage to the effected brain tissue. Most strokes happen when the artery or blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot.

A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to any part of your brain, causing damage and death to brain cells. Its effects can be devastating and may last a lifetime.

Causes of Stroke:

Unhealthy diet
Smoking
Excessive drinking
Diabetes
Obesity - a body mass index of 30 or higher
Use of birth control pills

What are the symptoms of a stroke:

weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding
trouble with vision in one or both eyes
severe headache with no other known reason
dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
sudden nausea, and vomiting not caused by a viral illness

Anyone who uses the telephone for a very long time, especially the elderly should often switch sides or use a hands-free telephone to avoid sustained provocative neck positions.

High levels of lead have been linked to heart disease and strokes.

Approximately 10 per cent of strokes are preceded by TIAs (transient ischemic attacks; also called mini-strokes). These TIAs can precede a major stroke days, weeks, or even months before a major stroke.

When it comes to helping someone who may be having a stroke, you are going to want to look at the signs. Make sure that when you do see some of the signs and symptoms, that you seek medical help immediately.

Ways to prevent stroke:

Increase Your Water Intake. Proper water intake is fundamental to good health. We talk about this in greater detail in our article "Is Water Really The Number One Ingredient for Slowing Down the Aging Process?" Bottom line you need an 8 ounce glass of water for every 15 pounds of body weight. Coke, coffee, and other doctored beverages don't count. Only pure water!

High blood pressure is the most important risk factor and estimates to be accountable for 70% of stroke cases. Your heart pumps harder than it should, putting strain on your circulatory system. A person with untreated hypertension is 4 times more likely to get stroke than a healthy person.

A positive, persistent attitude will help the stroke survivor and family members get through the recovery period, and with love and support you will all come through the event much stronger and able to cope with whatever challenges life sends your way.

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