Stroke, also known as Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a condition when there is an interuption of the blood supply to the brain. Mot of the time this is caused by blockage of a cerebral artery. If treatment is not provided on time, brain cellss will start dying within a short period of time (cerebral inrarction). Consequences are serious permanent injuries or even death as the brain can no more control the functions of the body. This is why stroke is considered the leading cause of permanent injuries.

Strokes usually present quick , sudden symtoms and progress, if not attended properly and lacking on-time treatment they can lead to severe consequences to the patients. Most of the patients and their relatives do not recognize the stroke as it happens or do not know how to perform first-aid measures right at the moment the stroke starts. Many people waste their time for traditional folk curing methods like skin scraping, blood letting…These do not give any help but rather reduce the chance of healing for the patient.

Symtoms on a patient affected with stroke may include numbness on areas of the face, arm or leg, and especially on one side of the body. More seriously the patient may suffer from severe headache, quick loss of conciousness, nausea, continuous vomitting. In some cases the patient may be still concious but more often is left with reduced conciousness (dizzines, drowsiness or maybe get fainted). Patients may get hemiplegia, face hemiparesis, one-side face weekness or drooping, difficult of speech or trouble with swallowing, inability to control urinating and defecating. If these symtoms exhibit, the patient should be rushed as soon as possible to a nearest medical center or hospital to get emergency help.

Whether or not a stroke leaves long term injury to the patient depends on how severe the stroke is and on how quickly the treatment for stabilizing the brain is given. What types of injury the patient gets also depends on which area of the brain is affected by the stroke. Complications following a stroke often include numbness in the arm or leg, difficulty in walking, dimness of vision, difficulties in swallowing and speaking or in understading speech. These complications maybe permanent to some but others still can recover most of their abilities. In any cases, the cost of taking care of the patient and for medical treatment is very expensive.

To best way to avoid the risks caused by strokes is to follow a healthy nutritional regime rich in fiber and lower in fats and carbohydrates to prevent high blood cholesterol level. Fats from animals are especially not good for patients with a history of high blood pressure or strokes. These people should turn to fats from plant oils which can help reduce blood cholesterol level, the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.