| |
Stroke
Stroke , like heart attacks, often occur with no
prior warning and, like heart attacks, often kill. For
just as atherosclerotic deposits in the arteries feeding
the heart set the stage for heart attacks, such deposits
in the arteries feeding the brain set the stage for
cerebral strokes. And just as the affected part of the
heart dies when its blood supply becomes blocked,so also
the affected part of the brain dies when its blood supply
is cut off by arterial blockage. As with the heart, this
can only occur when the arteries have become hardened,
narrowed and encrusted with Atherosclerosis.
Stroke is a neurological disorder due to a pathogenic
process in the blood vessel. The delicate blood vessels
of the brain may be damaged in several ways. With age,
the arteries thicken, thereby losing their elasticity and
lumen. Gradually this may lead to clot formation in the
blood vessels, which obstructs the blood supply to the
brain cells. Stroke is caused generally due to high blood
pressure but there may be some other factors like tumour
or clotted blood /defect in the blood vessels of the
brain. High blood pressure is the single most important
risk factor for stroke. When some of the symptoms are
acute in condition, the patient becomes unconscious and
as he recovers, he finds one half of his body or some
parts have been affected by paralysis, and he may be
unable to move his hand / leg or both on the affected
side. He may find his speech slurred because of the
damages done to the nerves of the facial muscles and
tongue. If severe enough, death may occur.
With each passing year, more and more of the most
respected medical organisations in the world have come to
the same conclusion : Diet high in saturated fat and
cholesterol raises, cholesterol level in the blood,
produces Atherosclerosis and leads directly to heart
disease and strokes. Diet low in saturated fat and
cholesterol lowers its level in the blood, decreases
Atherosclerosis, and lowers the likelihood of heart
disease and strokes.
As a preventive measure one should have regular check-up
and keep one’s weight, blood pressure, cholesterol
level and blood sugar under control by proper diet /
exercise programme. Follow "GUIDELINES FOR
HEALTHY LIVING ". Salt is an enemy, if taken in
excess. ( Salt in moderation is essential for survival,
as evolutionarily, the life is derived from the sea which
is salty.)Tension and Stress
Tension in
today’s world is as rampant as the common cold. It
leads to hypertension and other diseases like heart
attack, strokes, ulcers, asthma,pain at the back of the
neck (spondylosis), shoulders and also lower backaches,
migraines, insomnia, etc.
A certain amount of stress is desirable to give the
required stimulation and motivation. Too much stress,
however, affects our well being and health as enumerated
above. It also affects our everyday performance and
outward social behaviour adversely.Stress reduces the
capacity to enjoy life. It makes one tired, lifeless and
disinterested in things.
The causes of stress are many but the single most
important cause is lack of proper rest due to overwork.
Symptoms like increased tension,irritability and
moodiness may appear, accompanied with lack of appetite
and weight loss. If such signs of stress are noticed or
are pointed out by well wishers, one must heed to it,
otherwise there is a risk of stress increasing beyond
control, leading to nervous breakdown.
But there are ways of combating this nuisance.Sleep and
relaxation are important means of reducing stress.
Billions of cells in our body get complete rest and are
fully relaxed when we are asleep. Other methods of
relaxation are through Yogic asanas and pranayama.
Shavasana and Yoganidra are the best forms of
relaxation.
Exercise is also a useful method of overcoming stress. It
induces stress-coping abilities and tends to boost
self-esteem. Psychologists have established that people
with high feelings of self-esteem tend to be happy and
well adjusted, apparently well equipped to deal with
stress. Exercises chosen should be pleasing, such as
games, swimming, brisk walk, Yoga and gymnasium.
Diet also plays an important role in fighting stress. Eat
a soothing diet rich in lecithin such as banana, grapes,
yoghurt, sprouts and soyabeans.Sprouts are wholesome food
rich in all vitamins,minerals, enzymes, carbohydrates and
light protein.
Above all, develop patient and learn to hold your temper.
Whosoever loses temper, loses the case. Have a positive
attitude at all times. Rest, relaxation,laughter and 7-8
hours of sound sleep are a must to combat tension
/stress.
Sleep
and Insomnia
Of all the
different kinds of relaxations sought and discovered by
man, sleep still remains the single-most guaranteed
method of obtaining maximum and complete mental and
physical rest for the body.
Sleep not only helps regain used up energies but also
gives rest to the strained muscles and nerves.
The normal period of sleep required for a healthy human
being is between 7-8 hours in a day.
God has bestowed night for sleep which is one of the most
important necessities of life. There are billions of
cells in our body and brain which require rest for
relaxation and vitality. These cells, if not given enough
rest, will tire themselves out and become less functional
, thus creating various other complications. Proper and
deep sleep is also essential for rejuvenation of the
heart’s muscles that tire during the day’s hard
work. The better you sleep, more the rest these cells and
tissues get and they perform better by making the body
more competent to resist the day long activities
tirelessly. AN undisturbed sound sleep enhances the
quality of sleep and hence its benefits.
There is no substitute for physical exercise, because
exhausting the body in a controlled way relaxes the mind
and is conducive to sound sleep in the natural way. Cross
ventilation in the bedroom is also very important for
ensuring sound sleep.
Insomnia means advance stage of sleeplessness wherein the
more you try to sleep, the more sleepless you become.
A highly effective drug, the sleeping pill, given in the
recommended dose will provide sleep but is often followed
by various problems, as it forcibly sedates the nervous
system. Hence, tranquillisers are not the answer to
tension, worry and anxiety or sleeplessness or even
insomnia. The answer lies in changing the habits and way
of life which are responsible for these troubles.
Sleeplessness may be due to a number of reasons such as
stress, anxiety, pre-occupation or any form of altered
mental activity. A continued lack of sleep may also lead
to depression, nervous disorders and cardiac complaints.
This is the state of transient insomnia which last for a
few nights. This may later on lead to chronic insomnia
which is a serious disorder affecting normal behaviour
and work performance.
Measures for sound sleep before going to bed are :
- Take hot foot
immersion for 15 minutes ( after drinking a glass
of cold water) or warm water bath.
- Do deep breathing for
5-10 minutes.
- Resort to relaxation
techniques like Yoganidra and meditation.
- Read light literature
like magazines.
- Avoid heavy meal and
late dinner.
- Take light supper
three hours before going to bed.
- Stroll for a few
minutes in open air after dinner.
- Do not make forced
effort to sleep but relax.
- Drink a cup of hot
water.
Apart from the above
suggestions, the patient has to undergo Naturopathic
treatments as suggested in the chart.
[index]
|
