Diabetes and Stroke

What Every Diabetes Caregiver Should Know About Stroke

The risk of suffering a stroke, which can harm brain tissue and result in disability or even death, rises with diabetes. Diabetes patients should maintain healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight levels to prevent stroke.

Often the question arises can diabetes cause stroke, let us understand the connection between diabetes and stroke. The body’s capacity to produce or effectively utilize insulin is impacted by diabetes. Since insulin is crucial in bringing glucose from the bloodstream into cells, individuals with diabetes frequently have too much sugar in their blood.

This extra sugar can eventually lead to the accumulation of clots or fat deposits inside the blood arteries that supply the neck and brain. Atherosclerosis is the term for this process.

If these deposits expand, the blood artery wall may constrict or possibly become completely blocked. Any disruption in the blood flow to the brain will prevent oxygen and blood from getting to the brain’s cells.

This might result in a stroke. Without prompt medical attention, a stroke may cause cell death or irreparable damage.

Symptoms of Diabetes Stroke

The symptoms of stroke in diabetes are the same as the symptoms of any stroke:

Any difficulties in communicating
Dizziness, balance issues, or difficulty walking
A severe, unexpected headache.
Confusion strikes suddenly.
Double vision or difficulty seeing
One side of the body is weak or numb (for instance, one side of the face, one arm, or one leg).

How is Stroke Diagnosed?

If you have had a stroke, your doctor will most likely:

Examine your ability to move your face muscles, arms, and legs.
Asking simple questions or having you describe a picture or object can help you determine whether you are thinking clearly.
Order imaging examinations of your brain, such as a CT scan or an MRI.
Other tests can be used to assess your heart (electrocardiogram) or blood arteries (ultrasound or arteriogram).

Diabetes Stroke Treatment

If a stroke or stroke risk is detected early, certain treatments, such as:

Blood clot-dissolving medications
Surgery to open a blood vessel and boost blood flow by inserting a stent (carotid stenting).
Surgery to remove the fat that is clogging your arteries (carotid endarterectomy).

If you have a stroke and suffer from long-term repercussions, rehabilitation may include:

Occupational therapy can help you relearn crucial everyday functions like writing and dressing.
Physical treatment to recover arm and leg strength and function.
Psychological counseling to help with any post-stroke mental health difficulties.
If a stroke has impacted your speech, you may benefit from speech therapy to learn how to speak more clearly.

How to Reduce the Risk of Stroke with Diabetes?

Certain lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce your risk of stroke if you have diabetes and the diabetes caregiver should pay attention to these:

Maintain a healthy blood glucose level (less than 140 mg/dL) by checking it frequently.
Check your blood pressure on a regular basis and report any issues to your healthcare staff.
To lower cholesterol and maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Regular exercise is essential.
Get enough sleep to stay healthy and energetic.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.
Reduce your salt intake to help regulate your blood pressure.
Lose abdominal fat while maintaining a healthy weight.
Refrain from smoking and/or using tobacco products.
Take your meds exactly as directed.

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What Is Connection Between Diabetes And Stroke?

What Is The Link?

A stroke occurs when there is a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain. Often this interruption is due to a rogue blood clot, that blocks a vessel in the neck or brain leading to a stroke. When this takes place, the brain is deprived of nutrients and oxygen, causing cell tissue death and rupture. If not addressed immediately, the condition can have fatal consequences.

Strokes are mainly of three types and are divided basis their severity:

Ischemic Stroke: Occurs when a blood clot is blocking the blood supply to the brain.

Haemorrhagic Stroke: Occurs when a blood vessel bursts abruptly or a weakened blood vessel starts to leak.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Occurs when small temporary blood clots flow into the brain or obstruct the blood flow to the brain. It is also referred to as a mini-stroke.

A patient with diabetes suffers from damage to different parts of the body over time. Slowly, the continued occurrence of high blood sugar begins to damage blood vessels and nerves in the body. People having prolonged levels of high blood sugar are at a higher risk than others, especially if they do not take controlled measures to bring it down. Diabetics who suffer from other conditions like obesity and high blood pressure, are also marked at a higher risk for a stroke.

Prevention Of A Stroke

It has been seen in multiple observations over the years that stroke patients can have trouble recovering from it. The recovery may vary from person to person, and also depend on the severity of the stroke.

Studies show that obese people have a greater risk and can have a tough road to recovery. Early detection of diabetes can help in the reduction of this risk since it allows for time for rectification in the lifestyle by applying the relevant healthy changes.

Lifestyle changes like managing weight, limiting the consumption of salt and sugar, lowering fat intake, increasing water and fibre intake and increasing physical activity can reduce the risk of diabetes and in turn, reduce the risk of a stroke. A simple brisk walk every day can be a decent exercise that not only lowers the chance of a stroke but also, uplifts your mood. Limiting alcohol and smoking can also help.