let's get straight to the point here. Men and women over 50 have gone far too long to continue to suffer from the effects of tinnitus. Sure, you may have gotten used to it, and even think you have learned how to live with it, but the fact still remains... it needs to come to an end NOW!
Generally when over 50 baby boomers think about the buzzing and ringing in their ears that come with tinnitus, they often only think about the auditory issues that come with tinnitus. What they ignore is what the ringing in ears can do to their lives. Tinnitus has many psychological implications and it can negatively affect your life, which is why treating the symptoms of ringing in ears is so important.
Stress and Tension
One of the biggest psychological factors of tinnitus is stress. Men and women over 50 are at that point in life where they stress about failing health and fitness, finances, retirement, health and life insurance, kids and grand kids, and a host of other things. Feeling stressed is a natural result of dealing with tinnitus. If you let the stress build up, the tinnitus can worsen... creating a really vicious cycle.
The question is how can people over 50 possibly manage stress when they are dealing with tinnitus and the ringing in the ears?
When someone has tinnitus and stress, they actually have to tackle both issues head on. You have to learn to both treat the tinnitus and manage the stress. By taking care of both issues simultaneously, you can then relieve the symptoms of both.
The proper way to deal with both is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whenever you eat right, exercise, and get enough rest, you can manage both stress and tinnitus. While it might not be as easy as it sounds, with practice, you can start to manage your stress.
An exercise routine is a good way to start off. Ringing ears and other tinnitus symptoms can be alleviated by combating stress, and exercise is one of the best ways you can do this.
Eat fresh foods that are low in salt to compliment the exercise and make sure you don’t leave your emotions bottled up. Bottled up emotions can contribute to stress. Thus, you need to find someone you can talk to whenever you are feeling overwhelmed or unhappy.
You can also try acupuncture because it really works well for many people. Acupuncture has been proven to be effective in treating stress and tinnitus. Your acupuncturist will assess your individual needs and then come up with a plan to help you. He or she will work to relieve the tension in your body and they will also work at finding the cause of the tinnitus and relieving it. You yourself might find this to be very helpful.
Sufferers of tinnitus discover that stress is not the only problem that they have. This can also affect your social life.
Antisocial Activity
Whenever folks over 50 suffer from tinnitus, they can end up closing off from the rest of the world. A lot of that is due to their discomfort. Being sociable when someone is feeling pain is very difficult to do.
Another reason is because people are not sure when their tinnitus will act up. Being out in the world when the symptoms get bad is not comfortable so they decide to stay in. This causes a lot of problems.
Often if people don't socialize, they find they are not getting everything they need in life. Being a social animal is part of being a human being. One very important part of life is socialization and when people can't socialize due to problems... they can suffer greatly!
If you don't get the right amount of social interaction, many problems can occur. It is a must that you find a way to stop the ringing and buzzing enough so that you can enjoy going out with friends.
Take the time to discover what your triggers are, rather than just cutting off your friends. You should avoid going out to clubs with your friends as these places are usually very noisy and will make your tinnitus symptoms worse. However, if they are having a few people over to watch the game, go with them and have great time.
By controlling the situations you put yourself in, you can control the tinnitus. It is important that you can keep it from acting up when you are out.
In addition, it is important to discover treatments that lessen your symptoms and will reduce your flair ups. This is something you can do to regain your confidence.
Fatigue
As important as it is to get rid of stress and become more social, it is possibly even more important to get enough sleep. It is remarkable the way that sleep can affect your moods. If you do not get enough sleep, you may often feel out of sorts. Often it is difficult to function and this can lead to other problems.
Sleeping can be hard to do when you have tinnitus. People go through many different things in order to find a way to sleep. Sleeping pills is one thing many people try. Hiwever, trying this is definitely not recommended. Sleeping issues need to be addressed because they are not going to be short term. You are looking at a long term problem, which means you need a long term solution.
Taking sleeping pills regularly can lead to an addiction and you need to find a safer way to fall asleep each night.
Be sure that your bedroom is never completely quiet. A complete quiet room will cause your tinnitus to act up. Use a masker or put a white noise machine in your room.
Second, using alcohol to fall asleep is very detrimental. This is a mistake that many people over 50 make. Admitting that alcohol can be a major contributor to your symptoms is something you have to realize. A small amount of alcohol may be fine, but too many drinks can make your tinnitus worse. Don't get into the habit of drinking each night just so you can fall asleep. Dependencies are often formed like this.
Knowing more about the different problems that result from tinnitus will probably increase your quest for a real solution to your issues.
You have learned ways to mask the problems, but what if you could get rid of them completely?
Full Body Health
While you can mask your symptoms so you can deal with tinnitus, the best way to handle your tinnitus is to cure it. You need to take care of your entire body in order to do that.
Just because the symptoms show up in your ear does not mean that is were it originated. It is important that you take care of your entire body by implementing a proper diet with exercise and taking supplements.
Right now, the ringing in your ears is practically debilitating, but it does not have to be. You have the ability to control your symptoms and rid yourself of tinnitus. Suffering from tinnitus should happen to no one. Allowing the issue to rule your life is something you must not allow.
I am not a medical professional, but I have offered these well known and helpful tips to help you get some relief from tinnitus when you're a man or woman over 50. Check out the health products sales area over to the right for cures or remedies for tinnitus.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Deep Vein Thrombosis Concerns For Men And Women Over 50
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in men and women over 50 when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body. This most commonly happens in the veins of the leg, particularly the calf. In some instances it may also develop in deep veins in other areas such as the arm. Clots in deep veins are different to those that form just under the skin. Superficial clots are called Phlebitis and are far less likely to have serious consequences.
DVT itself may not pose a significant risk as long as the clot remains in situ within the leg. In fact in many cases the body's natural processes may cause clots to break down and be reabsorbed without causing any lasting injury. However, problems occur when the clot or part of it breaks free and travels through the blood vessels. It could have particularly serious consequences if it lodges in the main arteries of the lungs.
Blockage in the pulmonary artery of the lung is a potentially life threatening condition referred to as a pulmonary embolism.
Symptoms of DVT include:
Swelling and tenderness of the leg
Redness and heat in the affected area
However, many small clots may cause no symptoms at all.
Why do clots form in the veins of the leg?
Blood needs to travel up the legs, which defies gravity. This upward movement is supported by the regular contraction of the calf muscles as a result of normal daily movement. However, during periods of extended inactivity this muscular support is lacking and blood tends to pool in the legs. This results in the common sensation of swollen ankles after a long flight. It can also result in blood clotting in the deep veins, setting in motion the DVT process.
Given that long periods of inactivity increase risk of DVT, there have been many claims that long international flights pose a significant risk. This has led to DVT being called "Economy Class Syndrome" because limited leg room in Economy Class may make passengers particularly vulnerable. Scientific opinion is divided on the risks of air travel in this regard. Nevertheless many airlines today choose to play it safe and advise passengers to take precautions against DVT including:
Moving around frequently during a flight.
Exercising leg muscles regularly while seated.
Avoiding too much alcohol.
Keeping well hydrated.
Wearing loose fitting clothes especially around the legs.
There are many factors that increase the risk of DVT including:
Prior history of blood clots.
Family History of DVT or blood clots.
Surgery or injury especially to the hips or legs.
Certain blood disorders that increase the risk of blood clots.
Circulation problems or heart failure.
Pregnancy.
Use of oral contraceptives.
Obesity.
Smoking.
Symptoms of DVT may not always be clear cut and can often be confused with other conditions. Hence doctors may use a combination of tests to reach a diagnosis of DVT including:
Blood tests.
Ultrasounds to detect blood clots.
Venograms - where dye is injected into the veins to help detect blockages.
Complications of DVT in men and women over 50 can be serious and life threatening. The most serious is a Pulmonary Embolism where the clot breaks away and blocks the pulmonary artery in the lung. This can cause chest pain and shortness of breath and if not treated immediately can cause death. The connection with DVT may not be immediately apparent as the pulmonary embolism may occur several days after the initial onset of DVT.
Other complications include:
Post-thrombotic syndrome where the clot causes damage to the valves in the vein causing blood to collect in the limb resulting in pain,swelling and ulcers in the leg.
Limb Ischaemia where the blockage results in reduced blood flow and reduced oxygen to the cells in the leg.
The most common treatment for DVT is the use of anticoagulants such as Heparin and Warfarin which aim to dissolve the clot. Use of anticoagulant medication carries its own risks so like most other medical conditions prevention is always better than cure. A healthy, active lifestyle and diet combined with some commonsense can help avoid men and women over 50 the pain and potentially serious consequences of DVT.
DVT itself may not pose a significant risk as long as the clot remains in situ within the leg. In fact in many cases the body's natural processes may cause clots to break down and be reabsorbed without causing any lasting injury. However, problems occur when the clot or part of it breaks free and travels through the blood vessels. It could have particularly serious consequences if it lodges in the main arteries of the lungs.
Blockage in the pulmonary artery of the lung is a potentially life threatening condition referred to as a pulmonary embolism.
Symptoms of DVT include:
Swelling and tenderness of the leg
Redness and heat in the affected area
However, many small clots may cause no symptoms at all.
Why do clots form in the veins of the leg?
Blood needs to travel up the legs, which defies gravity. This upward movement is supported by the regular contraction of the calf muscles as a result of normal daily movement. However, during periods of extended inactivity this muscular support is lacking and blood tends to pool in the legs. This results in the common sensation of swollen ankles after a long flight. It can also result in blood clotting in the deep veins, setting in motion the DVT process.
Given that long periods of inactivity increase risk of DVT, there have been many claims that long international flights pose a significant risk. This has led to DVT being called "Economy Class Syndrome" because limited leg room in Economy Class may make passengers particularly vulnerable. Scientific opinion is divided on the risks of air travel in this regard. Nevertheless many airlines today choose to play it safe and advise passengers to take precautions against DVT including:
Moving around frequently during a flight.
Exercising leg muscles regularly while seated.
Avoiding too much alcohol.
Keeping well hydrated.
Wearing loose fitting clothes especially around the legs.
There are many factors that increase the risk of DVT including:
Prior history of blood clots.
Family History of DVT or blood clots.
Surgery or injury especially to the hips or legs.
Certain blood disorders that increase the risk of blood clots.
Circulation problems or heart failure.
Pregnancy.
Use of oral contraceptives.
Obesity.
Smoking.
Symptoms of DVT may not always be clear cut and can often be confused with other conditions. Hence doctors may use a combination of tests to reach a diagnosis of DVT including:
Blood tests.
Ultrasounds to detect blood clots.
Venograms - where dye is injected into the veins to help detect blockages.
Complications of DVT in men and women over 50 can be serious and life threatening. The most serious is a Pulmonary Embolism where the clot breaks away and blocks the pulmonary artery in the lung. This can cause chest pain and shortness of breath and if not treated immediately can cause death. The connection with DVT may not be immediately apparent as the pulmonary embolism may occur several days after the initial onset of DVT.
Other complications include:
Post-thrombotic syndrome where the clot causes damage to the valves in the vein causing blood to collect in the limb resulting in pain,swelling and ulcers in the leg.
Limb Ischaemia where the blockage results in reduced blood flow and reduced oxygen to the cells in the leg.
The most common treatment for DVT is the use of anticoagulants such as Heparin and Warfarin which aim to dissolve the clot. Use of anticoagulant medication carries its own risks so like most other medical conditions prevention is always better than cure. A healthy, active lifestyle and diet combined with some commonsense can help avoid men and women over 50 the pain and potentially serious consequences of DVT.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
How Men And Women Can Lower Bad Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is a fatty and waxy substance that is produced by the liver. Too much of saturated fats in your diet may contribute to high blood cholesterol. Most saturated fats come from animal products such as butter, cheese, chocolate, whole milk, pies, pastries, cakes, hot chips, potatoes and hash browns.
In some individuals, high cholesterol levels can be due to a genetic disorder. Too much cholesterol in your blood will start building up in the artery walls, causing narrowing of the arteries. This increases your risk of developing heart or brain attack(stroke).
Whatever the cause of your high levels of cholesterol is, it is very important that you as a man or woman over 50 make efforts to lower your cholesterol levels by changing your lifestyle:
1.Follow a heart healthy dietary pattern.
2.Lose some weight if you are overweight.
3.Be active by doing moderate physical exercises for at least 30 minutes daily.
4.Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
5.Avoid foods prepared with butter, hydrogenated oil, coconut or palm oil.
6.Avoid white meat fats, chicken skin or processed meats and chicken.
7.Have more servings of dried peas, beans, soy products, oats, whole grains and high-fibre cereals.
If your cholesterol level is too high, your doctor may put you on medication for a short time or for life. If that is the case, you should have your cholesterol levels checked every three months until it is controlled and then every six months.
In normal circumstances, cholesterol is very important as it helps our bodies to function properly. Cholesterol and other fats are also called lipids and each of these has a different function:
1.The High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL)often called the "good" cholesterol because it helps to remove cholesterol from the artery walls, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease.
2.The Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL) is often called "bad" cholesterol because it deposits cholesterol into the artery wall, increasing your risk of heart disease or heart attack.
3.The Triglycerides are the most common form of fat in the body. They act as energy storage tanks of the body. High levels of triglycerides cause many diseases in the body, including heart disease and stroke.
To know your lipid profile, visit you doctor and he or she will perform a fasting blood test. An ideal profiles should is:
Total cholesterol(TC) less than 4mmol/L
LDL cholesterol less than 2.5 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol greater than 1mmol/L
TC/HDL ratio less than 4.5
Triglycerides less than 1.7 mmol/L
Therefore when you're a man or woman over 50, it is important to change your life style to remain healthy and live longer. Develop good eating habits, keep fit and enjoy life.
In some individuals, high cholesterol levels can be due to a genetic disorder. Too much cholesterol in your blood will start building up in the artery walls, causing narrowing of the arteries. This increases your risk of developing heart or brain attack(stroke).
Whatever the cause of your high levels of cholesterol is, it is very important that you as a man or woman over 50 make efforts to lower your cholesterol levels by changing your lifestyle:
1.Follow a heart healthy dietary pattern.
2.Lose some weight if you are overweight.
3.Be active by doing moderate physical exercises for at least 30 minutes daily.
4.Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
5.Avoid foods prepared with butter, hydrogenated oil, coconut or palm oil.
6.Avoid white meat fats, chicken skin or processed meats and chicken.
7.Have more servings of dried peas, beans, soy products, oats, whole grains and high-fibre cereals.
If your cholesterol level is too high, your doctor may put you on medication for a short time or for life. If that is the case, you should have your cholesterol levels checked every three months until it is controlled and then every six months.
In normal circumstances, cholesterol is very important as it helps our bodies to function properly. Cholesterol and other fats are also called lipids and each of these has a different function:
1.The High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL)often called the "good" cholesterol because it helps to remove cholesterol from the artery walls, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease.
2.The Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL) is often called "bad" cholesterol because it deposits cholesterol into the artery wall, increasing your risk of heart disease or heart attack.
3.The Triglycerides are the most common form of fat in the body. They act as energy storage tanks of the body. High levels of triglycerides cause many diseases in the body, including heart disease and stroke.
To know your lipid profile, visit you doctor and he or she will perform a fasting blood test. An ideal profiles should is:
Total cholesterol(TC) less than 4mmol/L
LDL cholesterol less than 2.5 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol greater than 1mmol/L
TC/HDL ratio less than 4.5
Triglycerides less than 1.7 mmol/L
Therefore when you're a man or woman over 50, it is important to change your life style to remain healthy and live longer. Develop good eating habits, keep fit and enjoy life.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
FDA Allows Contaminated Foods For Human Consumption
This is one of my many articles you will find published at http://tmdassc.qondio.com. It has received high ratings, comments and bookmarks because the readers there found it to be very beneficial to them. Hopefully, you too will also find it very eye opening and beneficial to you.
What inspired me to write this article was an article published by a fellow by the screen name of "TheOldCoot" at http://tmdassc.qondio.com. The article is titled "I'll Make My Own"! When you get a chance, you should read it so you can get the full impact of this article.
If by chance you have read the article "I'll Make My Own" by theoldcoot, then you are already ahead of the ball and this article will further expand your knowledge of the contamination of commercially processed foods. This article not only expands on foods, but delves deeper into the contamination of beverages and spices as well.
For those who have not read the above mentioned article, here is a brief snynopsis. "TheOldCoot" had an in-date pack of commercially processed pasta he had previously purchased and decided to use it with some beans that had been given to him. Upon opening the pasta, he was unpleasantly surprised to find it was contaminated with... to put it mildly, living creatures and their body waste!
I am not going to go into details about it here because you'll find that in his published article. However, I will go into more details of how this occurs and the FDA's(Food and Drug Administration) allowance and approval of it.
If you're over 50, then you most likely remember when family farms were the norm and a great many people grew and reaped their own foods. The foods were very carefully checked and cleaned of contaminants before storing or eating it. That which was stored, was further checked and cleaned before consuming.
As technology and automation came into being, everything became commercially grown, reaped, and processed more quickly than humans could do it by hand. However, this also became the onset of quality control loss. The commercial food processors told the FDA that a certain amount of contamination could not be avoided, and levels should be established as to what was harmful and not harmful to humans per serving.
Given the fact the FDA is part of the government which is rewarded in great financial ways by commercial industries... the FDA decided it was best to lie in bed with them and close it's eyes to certain things. That even goes so far as to justify and approve food contamination.
While it is true that certain amount of contamination of foods, beverages, and spices can not be avoided when it is commercially grown and processed... it is also true that higher quality control standards should have been put into place.
Just because an agency that financially benefits(FDA) has stated that a certain amount of contamination per serving is not harmful to humans... does not mean it is not harmful to humans over the days, weeks, months, and years of consumption of such contaminants.
To put it bluntly, the consumption of bugs and maggots and their feces, and rodent hairs and feces is supposingly not harmful to humans per serving... however, that does not mean the consumption of such contaminants is not harmful three times a day, seven days a week, year in and year out. Just imagine how much you have consumed if you're a man or woman over 50.
Yes, the above mentioned contaminants, and more, are found in the foods, beverages, and spices we consume each and every day. As a matter of fact, the FDA publishes a secret handbook that it distributes only to food processors, and it gives the food processors the FDA's guidance on what levels of contaminants they should police themselves at.
Can you believe that? The agency which is responsible for insuring no harm comes to humans through what we consume... leaves it up to the commercial processors to police after themselves. Isn't that a lot like leaving the fox to guard the hen house?
Could this commercial way of doing things, lost of quality, and the FDA's blessing be the cause of constantly rising cancer rates, food recalls, food bourne illness, sickness, and disease? You make the logical call and decision!
Need further proof? Then you are invited to grab a free copy of the special report located in the Free Health Reports section of this blog. The report contains the actual FDA secret handbook of food levels contaminants which it allows and approves. You will also learn the simple things you can start doing right now to protect your own health, as well as that of your loved ones.
If nothing else, just take a look out of pure curiosity to see what you, your family, and others you are concerned about are consumming each and every day. Guarantee it's a real eye opener!
What inspired me to write this article was an article published by a fellow by the screen name of "TheOldCoot" at http://tmdassc.qondio.com. The article is titled "I'll Make My Own"! When you get a chance, you should read it so you can get the full impact of this article.
If by chance you have read the article "I'll Make My Own" by theoldcoot, then you are already ahead of the ball and this article will further expand your knowledge of the contamination of commercially processed foods. This article not only expands on foods, but delves deeper into the contamination of beverages and spices as well.
For those who have not read the above mentioned article, here is a brief snynopsis. "TheOldCoot" had an in-date pack of commercially processed pasta he had previously purchased and decided to use it with some beans that had been given to him. Upon opening the pasta, he was unpleasantly surprised to find it was contaminated with... to put it mildly, living creatures and their body waste!
I am not going to go into details about it here because you'll find that in his published article. However, I will go into more details of how this occurs and the FDA's(Food and Drug Administration) allowance and approval of it.
If you're over 50, then you most likely remember when family farms were the norm and a great many people grew and reaped their own foods. The foods were very carefully checked and cleaned of contaminants before storing or eating it. That which was stored, was further checked and cleaned before consuming.
As technology and automation came into being, everything became commercially grown, reaped, and processed more quickly than humans could do it by hand. However, this also became the onset of quality control loss. The commercial food processors told the FDA that a certain amount of contamination could not be avoided, and levels should be established as to what was harmful and not harmful to humans per serving.
Given the fact the FDA is part of the government which is rewarded in great financial ways by commercial industries... the FDA decided it was best to lie in bed with them and close it's eyes to certain things. That even goes so far as to justify and approve food contamination.
While it is true that certain amount of contamination of foods, beverages, and spices can not be avoided when it is commercially grown and processed... it is also true that higher quality control standards should have been put into place.
Just because an agency that financially benefits(FDA) has stated that a certain amount of contamination per serving is not harmful to humans... does not mean it is not harmful to humans over the days, weeks, months, and years of consumption of such contaminants.
To put it bluntly, the consumption of bugs and maggots and their feces, and rodent hairs and feces is supposingly not harmful to humans per serving... however, that does not mean the consumption of such contaminants is not harmful three times a day, seven days a week, year in and year out. Just imagine how much you have consumed if you're a man or woman over 50.
Yes, the above mentioned contaminants, and more, are found in the foods, beverages, and spices we consume each and every day. As a matter of fact, the FDA publishes a secret handbook that it distributes only to food processors, and it gives the food processors the FDA's guidance on what levels of contaminants they should police themselves at.
Can you believe that? The agency which is responsible for insuring no harm comes to humans through what we consume... leaves it up to the commercial processors to police after themselves. Isn't that a lot like leaving the fox to guard the hen house?
Could this commercial way of doing things, lost of quality, and the FDA's blessing be the cause of constantly rising cancer rates, food recalls, food bourne illness, sickness, and disease? You make the logical call and decision!
Need further proof? Then you are invited to grab a free copy of the special report located in the Free Health Reports section of this blog. The report contains the actual FDA secret handbook of food levels contaminants which it allows and approves. You will also learn the simple things you can start doing right now to protect your own health, as well as that of your loved ones.
If nothing else, just take a look out of pure curiosity to see what you, your family, and others you are concerned about are consumming each and every day. Guarantee it's a real eye opener!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What Men And Women Over 50 Need To Know About Strokes And Stroke Symptoms
Many men and women over 50 may experience one or more strokes in their lifetime... so it is beneficial to understand more about them and the devastation they can cause to our lives and the lives of people who care about us. A stroke can affect a person's speech, memory, ability to walk or even move, understanding of other people's speech, reading, writing, hearing, sense of smell and taste, problem solving capabilities, and if it is severe, it can render a person permanently disabled or cause death.
A stroke in a man or woman over 50 can occur in various situations:
• If the blood supply to the brain gets temporarily cut off, often caused by a blood clot in the carotid artery which refuses to dissolve.
• Damage of the vasculature (blood vessels) in a specific part of the brain or neck which can be caused by some sort of trauma, e.g. a car accident, causing bleeding into the nervous tissue.
• A burst aneurysm, which is basically a swelling in an artery caused by a weakened artery wall.
• During or soon after a carotid endarterectomy which is a vascular surgical procedure that strips out the inner lining of the carotid artery in order to remove the embedded plaque.
Symptoms of a stroke in men and women over 50:
Symptoms of stroke may include blurred or decreased vision, very severe headaches, weakness, paralysis of the face and often additional paralysis down one side of the body including an arm and leg, numbness, poor balance and coordination, and slurred or incoherent speech.
There are basically two different types of strokes - Ischemic and Hemorrhagic:
Ischemic Strokes
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of strokes (about 80%) and are caused by one or more blood clots, which are stopping or restricting blood flow to the brain, or an obstruction or restriction in an artery. Ischemic strokes are a leading cause of death and disability; they can be treated with a drug called t-PA that dissolves the blood clots. Ischemic strokes can be classified as thrombotic (blood clots) and embolic (obstruction of a blood vessel). A mini-stroke is referred to as a TIA (transient ischemic attack).
Hemorrhagic Strokes
A hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel which causes blood to leak in the brain. Hemorrhagic transformation can happen when complications arise in acute cases of ischemic stroke and this can be very difficult to treat and can often be fatal. Emergency treatment for this type of stroke is to control as much as possible intracranial pressure.
Strokes and Women
Men and women generally have many similar risk factors and symptoms of stroke but women are also vulnerable to FMD (a condition called Fibromuscular Dysplasia), in which general ongoing deterioration of arterial blood vessels triggers a stroke, and women have a risk of stroke during and immediately after pregnancy. In 2002 there were approximately three times as many women's deaths due to strokes as deaths due to breast cancer in England and Wales. After menopause, women have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems which could lead to a stroke. Despite these gloomy statistics for women, men have more likelihood of suffering a stroke than women do.
It is advisable to have regular health checks, and to take and to put into effect suitable advice to reduce your chances of having a stroke.
A stroke in a man or woman over 50 can occur in various situations:
• If the blood supply to the brain gets temporarily cut off, often caused by a blood clot in the carotid artery which refuses to dissolve.
• Damage of the vasculature (blood vessels) in a specific part of the brain or neck which can be caused by some sort of trauma, e.g. a car accident, causing bleeding into the nervous tissue.
• A burst aneurysm, which is basically a swelling in an artery caused by a weakened artery wall.
• During or soon after a carotid endarterectomy which is a vascular surgical procedure that strips out the inner lining of the carotid artery in order to remove the embedded plaque.
Symptoms of a stroke in men and women over 50:
Symptoms of stroke may include blurred or decreased vision, very severe headaches, weakness, paralysis of the face and often additional paralysis down one side of the body including an arm and leg, numbness, poor balance and coordination, and slurred or incoherent speech.
There are basically two different types of strokes - Ischemic and Hemorrhagic:
Ischemic Strokes
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of strokes (about 80%) and are caused by one or more blood clots, which are stopping or restricting blood flow to the brain, or an obstruction or restriction in an artery. Ischemic strokes are a leading cause of death and disability; they can be treated with a drug called t-PA that dissolves the blood clots. Ischemic strokes can be classified as thrombotic (blood clots) and embolic (obstruction of a blood vessel). A mini-stroke is referred to as a TIA (transient ischemic attack).
Hemorrhagic Strokes
A hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel which causes blood to leak in the brain. Hemorrhagic transformation can happen when complications arise in acute cases of ischemic stroke and this can be very difficult to treat and can often be fatal. Emergency treatment for this type of stroke is to control as much as possible intracranial pressure.
Strokes and Women
Men and women generally have many similar risk factors and symptoms of stroke but women are also vulnerable to FMD (a condition called Fibromuscular Dysplasia), in which general ongoing deterioration of arterial blood vessels triggers a stroke, and women have a risk of stroke during and immediately after pregnancy. In 2002 there were approximately three times as many women's deaths due to strokes as deaths due to breast cancer in England and Wales. After menopause, women have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems which could lead to a stroke. Despite these gloomy statistics for women, men have more likelihood of suffering a stroke than women do.
It is advisable to have regular health checks, and to take and to put into effect suitable advice to reduce your chances of having a stroke.
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