Hey fam! Did you know October 29 is World Stroke Day? 🗓🧠 It’s a global reminder that every minute counts when someone has a stroke. Let’s break down what happened to Zhang, a 55-year-old math teacher, and learn simple ways to keep our brains safe.
Zhang’s Story: One morning he woke up with a sharp, “firecracker” pain in his head. Then his right arm went numb and his speech slurred. Thanks to his wife, a retired nurse, he got to the hospital fast. Diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke (a bleed in the brain), Zhang got timely treatment and now is on the road to recovery. 🚑💪
What Is a Stroke? In simple terms, a stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Without quick care, brain cells start to die in minutes.
- Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a clot that blocks blood flow. Think a traffic jam in your brain’s highway.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by bleeding in or around the brain. Like a burst pipe flooding a room.
Heads Up on Headaches 💥 Headaches can be more than just annoying. In the Chinese mainland, about 20% of people had headaches before a stroke, and 27% felt them during an ischemic stroke. Even after treatment, 1–23% still get post-stroke headaches. Plus, if you have migraines, your stroke risk doubles.
FAST Response Protocol 🚨 Spot the red flags and act FAST:
- Face: Ask them to smile. Does one side droop?
- Arm: Have them lift both arms. Does one drift down?
- Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you see any sign, call emergency services immediately.
Brain-Boosting Prevention Tips 🌟 Keep your brain in top shape with these simple habits:
- Stay Active: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days. Dance, play badminton, or walk with friends.
- Eat Smart: Load up on fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Limit salt, sugar, and fried snacks.
- Check Your Vitals: Regularly monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
- Hydrate & Rest: Drink water, power through that midday siesta, and manage stress with meditation or your fave K-pop tunes.
- Know Your Family History: If strokes run in your fam, talk to a doc about extra precautions.
Strokes can happen to anyone, anytime. Keep these tips on speed dial and share them with your crew. Let’s defend our brains and live our best, healthiest lives! 🧠💖
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
