The main reason for a stroke is lack of oxygen, and patients often lose the ability to speak and have trouble performing routine activities due to massive memory disturbances. According to research, in India, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability among the young population.
Approximately 20 million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year, 5 million of whom may not survive the disease. While there are many reasons for the serious condition, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of proper diet and exercise routines play a role, but according to health experts, reducing the load on the brain and leading a healthy life can reduce the effect and even the chances of having a stroke.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Aishwarya Raj, a practicing clinical psychologist at Delhi –NCR, shared: “It can be a challenge to make healthy choices on an ongoing basis in today’s world without making the occasional mistake. Developing coping mechanisms for the stress associated with maintaining good health and showing self-compassion when that behavior occasionally fails is crucial. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle does not have to be another stressor in our lives. A healthy lifestyle can be achieved with the simplest choices one can make in life every day.”
She suggested: “Increase your physical activity, adjust your posture, make smarter decisions more often to improve your brain health, increase your happiness while stimulating your brain, address underlying medical issues, and practice mindfulness.” . In general, it’s beneficial to maintain balance, make an effort to live as healthily as possible, and recognize that it can be challenging, if not impossible, to always make the right decisions. Finding out what healthy means to you can help you live a balanced lifestyle in the most sustainable way possible.”
Dr. Sankalp Surya Mohan, a senior neurology consultant at Paras Hospitals Gurgaon, advised: “Look for healthy home-made snacks, dried fruits and cut fruits to eat in the evening. Adulterated and fried foods are not good for you and have long-term effects on the body. Foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help eradicate many problems. For starters, it’s best to maintain a healthy weight based on BMI and get enough sleep with adequate exercise.”
He warned: “The current trend of excessive stress, smoking and alcohol consumption has caused many critical conditions among people. Focusing on one’s mental health and constantly interacting with one’s social circle can also make a big difference in clearing the clutter from one’s head and maintaining a healthy brain. Every minute millions of neurons die in a stroke. Therefore, it is important to recognize symptoms early and go to the nearest stroke preparedness center. Symptoms are Befast i.e. B- Balance, E- Eyes, F- Face, A- Arm, S- Speech, T- Time. Let’s maintain our health by reducing the load on our brains.”
Conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol can affect the course of brain disease. Stating that having a healthy, well-functioning brain is important to our daily lifestyle, Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, a senior psychiatrist and founder of Manasthali, recommended:
1. Stay as active as you can: Higher levels of aerobic fitness are associated with faster information processing and preserved brain tissue volume.
2. Keep your weight under control: Obesity is associated with poor brain outcomes and makes us prone to many brain-related conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.
3. Keep your mind active: Education, reading, hobbies, and artistic or creative hobbies help protect against cognitive problems when practiced throughout life.
4. Avoid smoking: Cigarette smoking in people is associated with decreased brain volume, as well as higher rates of relapse, greater disability progression, and more cognitive problems.
5. Do not stop other medications your doctor has prescribed.
Source: news.google.com