Facial Weakness Or Pain
Facial weakness can be a very concerning symptom, as it is one of the hallmark signs of a stroke. If you have facial weakness, or see that someone else has facial weakness, it is important to get urgent medical attention right away.
While it is often associated with stroke, sudden facial weakness can be the sign of a fairly common condition called Bell’s Palsy. This condition often improves on its own, but you might need some medication to help you as you recover if you are diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Another condition, trigeminal neuralgia, characterized by excruciating facial pain, may also mimic a stroke.
Anxiety Linked To Long Term Stroke Risk
The greater the anxiety level, the higher risk of having a stroke, according to research published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke from December 2013.
The study is the first in which researchers linked anxiety and stroke independent of other factors such as depression. Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health problems. Symptoms include feeling unusually:
- Worried
- Nervous
- Tense
Over a 22-year period, researchers studied a nationally representative group of 6,019 people 25-74 years old in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Participants underwent an interview and took blood tests, medical examinations and completed psychological questionnaires to gauge anxiety and depression levels.
Even modest increases in anxiety associated with greater stroke risk
Researchers tracked strokes through hospital or nursing home reports and death certificates. After accounting for other factors, they found that even modest increases in anxiety were associated with greater stroke risk.
People in the highest third of anxiety symptoms had a 33 percent higher stroke risk than those with the lowest levels.
Everyone has some anxiety now and then. But when its elevated and/or chronic, it may have an effect on your vasculature years down the road, said Maya Lambiase, Ph.D., study author and cardiovascular behavioral medicine researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh.
When Migraine Mimics Stroke
The symptoms of some types of migraine can mimic stroke, such as hemiplegic migraine where there is weakness down one side.
Migraine auras can be confused with transient ischaemic attack , where someone has stroke symptoms that pass in a short time. For instance, a migraine with only a visual aura but no headache may be mistaken for TIA.
Like a stroke, a migraine can be sudden and can lead to mild confusion. However, migraine aura symptoms tend to develop relatively slowly and then spread and intensify, while the symptoms of a TIA or stroke are sudden.
Migraine can sometimes be mistaken for a stroke caused by bleeding on the brain, called a subarachnoid haemorrhage , which is often characterised by a sudden, very severe headache. Unlike SAH, migraine headache is usually one-sided and throbbing, slow to come on and lasts for a shorter period of time. Vomiting usually starts after a migraine headache starts, but is likely to happen at the same time as headache during a SAH. Patients with a SAH also develop neck stiffness, which is uncommon during a migraine attack.
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Does Stress Trigger Afib Episodes
During periods of profound stress, you are less likely to be providing your body with the correct tools and resources to live a healthy lifestyle. Late nights at work, poor food choices, and over-indulging in negative coping mechanisms can all lead to more severe and more frequent AFib episodes.
For people already diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, understanding the connection between chronic stress and severe AFib episodes is essential.
What Research Shows About Stress At Work
Increasing levels of psychosocial distress are related to the risk of both fatal and nonfatal stroke in adults.
In one study, researchers in China compiled data from six studies with 138,782 participants. Researchers evaluated the link between job stress and future stroke risk. The study, which appears in the journal Neurology, shows that stroke caused by stress is indeed possible and any stress is harmful to your health and should be taken seriously.
It looked at two dimensions of work psychological job demand and job control. Psychological job demand was identified as time pressure, mental load and level of responsibility while job control was identified as ones control over their decisions.
Researchers found that jobs with high demands and low control were associated with a 22% increased risk of stroke compared with jobs with low demand and high control like an architect or natural scientist.
A study in 2010 identified the 10 risk factors that are associated with 90% of the risks of certain types of stroke. Work-related stresses can trigger many of these particularly depression, hypertension, eating poorly, smoking, less time for exercise or alcohol abuse.
In another study, higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms were linked to increased risk of whats called incident stroke or TIA in middle-aged and older adults.
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How To Tell Tia/stroke From Mimics
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What You Need To Know
- Depression and anxiety are common after a stroke.
- You may have depression if you feel sad or down for more than two weeks. You may lose interest in things you normally enjoy, lack energy, have difficulty sleeping, or sleep more than usual.
- You may have anxiety if anxious feelings do not go away once a stressful situation is over or if you feel anxious for no particular reason.
- Depression and anxiety are highly treatable and recovery is common.
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What If Anxiety Is Not Treated
Untreated anxiety does not stop its growth and extend into the most important areas of your life and your health.
Chest pains, headaches, high blood pressure are just the beginning of future health problems.
With panic attacks that feel as heart attacks or strokes, phobias which keep you from doing things you like and anxiety causing mayhem all over your life, this is a problem that cannot go on without taking care of it and should be consulted with professionals.
Anxiety is a problem that affects all people and more information should be given about it.
Controlling it will be paramount for having a healthy life, avoiding high probabilities of suffering strokes or heart attacks.
Reducing anxiety will help you live a plentiful and happier life.
Do not let anxiety take control over your life! Take decision that benefit your life and future.
Give anxiety the importance it requires in your life and do not take it as a slight issue, because treating it effectively will make a big difference!
If you have any comments or questions, feel yourself comfortable to put them down in our comment section!
Lets share information in this highly important topic!
Citations taken from Maya Lambiases study.
How To Find Out If You Are Stressed
People usually ignore stress and dont take the necessary steps to deal with it. At the same time, it is impossible to measure the levels of stress it depends entirely on the tolerance levels of a person!
Some could be stressed owing to the pressures of a job, or some could be facing the stress of dealing with difficult relationships. The extent to which one can handle it determines the severity of stress.
However, you could pay attention to these subtle signs, to know if you are stressed!
- Do your family members and close friends keep asking you if you are stressed?
- Do you find yourself at odds with them, more frequently?
- Have you stopped doing things that used to make you happy?
- Do you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, compared to your normal patterns?
- Do you delay getting out of bed, especially if you know the day is going to be stressful?
- Do you find an increase in the number of cigarettes you smoke or has your intake of alcohol suddenly increased?
If you find yourself nodding to most or all of these questions, it might be time to take a step back and look for ways to manage the stress, before it causes some serious trouble!
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Young Stroke Survivor Advocates For A Stress
Its a known fact that stress isnt a good thing. It can cause many side effects, like frequent headaches, trouble sleeping or changes in someones mood. But did you know chronic stress can aggravate common risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking and obesity?
Tiffany Hinthorne, of El Paso, Illinois, found that out the hard way when she started experiencing stroke symptoms at the young age of 35.
What Are The Effects Of A Stroke
The effects of a stroke vary, depending on the affected area of the brain.
Another factor is how long it took to receive treatment. Any delay allows more brain cells to die or be damaged.
Some people only experience minor effects after a stroke, such as fatigue or difficulty with coordination. Others may need to relearn basic functions, such as walking and swallowing, and they will need ongoing support.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , strokes are responsible for one in 20 deaths in the United States.
Tracy Lomagno had a stroke in the cerebellum area of the brain in February 2018. She kindly spoke to us about her experience with each of the symptoms below:
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Can Stress Cause A Stroke
Heres how chronic stress and anxiety may affect your risk of having a stroke.
Did you know that stress and anxiety may increase your risk of experiencing a disabling or deadly stroke? One stressed out day wont necessarily affect your stroke risk, but unmanaged chronic stress may. In fact, chronic stress and anxiety, in addition to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, are key factors that affect stroke risk.
Stress is an unavoidable fact of life for many of us. Work demands, family issues and concerns about health and finances send stress levels soaring. During the past few months, stress and anxiety levels have increased for many people in the U.S. as the COVID-19 pandemic creates uncertainty in our lives. While some of this stress is unavoidable, finding ways to manage it can help lower stroke risk and keep you healthier overall, as well as helping you to feel calmer and happier.
How Stress Affects Stroke Risk
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is completely or partially blocked due to a blood clot, clogged blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. When the amount of oxygen-rich blood your brain receives decreases, brain cells die. Paralysis, speech difficulties, balance or memory issues and/or muscle weakness may occur as a result of cell death. Some of these problems can be overcome with therapy, while others may be permanent. Strokes can even cause death if brain damage is severe.
How to Lower Stress in Healthy Ways
Can Work Stress Increase Stroke Risk
A second study published in Neurology examined the connection between strokes and stress at work. The study determined that people working jobs with high demand and low control had a 22 percent higher risk of stroke than those who held jobs with low demand and high control . The study also found that women were at greater risk of workplace stress contributing to a stroke, and the risk for both men and women was greater for ischemic strokes, a type of stroke caused by a blood clot.
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Is It Normal To Pass Out During A Stress Test
In syncope, i.e., you can sync your data. The occurrence of passing out during treadmill stress testing is rare, but it is possible. In most cases, it is listed as such in the informed consent that the patient signs before the test. This would not suggest a deviation from the standard of care, therefore.
How To Tell The Difference Between Anxiety And A Mini Stroke
Only a doctor can tell you with 100% certainty if what you’ve experienced is stroke-like symptoms from an anxiety attack or an actual stroke. But generally there are several ways to tell the difference between the two, including:
As you can see, the differences are subtle. But they are definitely there, and if you are willing to think about the attack logically you’ll often find that it’s clear what occurred. However, it is critical to rule out a cerebrovascular event first.
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How Are Ministrokes Treated
Treatment for ministrokes focuses on starting or adjusting medications that improve blood flow to the brain.
It also requires identifying abnormalities that your doctor can fix to reduce your risk of future ministrokes or strokes.
Treatment options include medications, medical or surgical procedures, and lifestyle changes.
What Are The Signs Of A Mini Stroke In A Woman
The signs and symptoms of a TIA resemble those found early in a stroke and may include sudden onset of:
- Weakness, numbness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg, typically on one side of your body.
- Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others.
- Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision.
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Understanding The Link Between Stress And Stroke
Chronic stress directly impacts the cardiovascular system, which damages the arteries when left unmanaged. Vascular damage can eventually lead to a stroke, which is a medical emergency caused by a clogged or burst artery in the brain.
Chronic stress most commonly comes from work, relationships, or financial struggle. While we cannot always control these situations, we can control how we respond. Choosing activities like exercise and deep breathing can help reduce stress levels and, as a result, reduce your risk of stroke.
How Are Strokes Diagnosed
To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Do a physical exam, including a check of
- Your mental alertness
- Any numbness or weakness in your face, arms, and legs
- Any trouble speaking and seeing clearly
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What Is Migraine
A migraine attack can have a wide range of symptoms. For many people the key symptom is a moderate or severe headache. Usually this is felt as a throbbing pain on one side of your head. This is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Migraine affects around one in every 15 men, and one in five women. People of all ages are affected by migraine, but the condition often begins in young adulthood. It often runs in families, and many people with migraine have a close relative with the condition. Some people have several migraines a week others may have years between migraine attacks. Symptoms can last from a few hours to several days, and you may also feel very tired for up to a week after an attack. Migraine without aura
Between 70% and 90% of the population with migraine have this type, which is sometimes called common migraine. It consists of a headache with other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light, sound or smell. The other symptoms usually begin at the same time as the headache, and disappear once the headache goes. Many people feel irritable and need to rest in a dark room or sleep afterwards.
Migraine with aura
Types of aura
Migraine aura without headache
Also known as a silent migraine, this is an aura without the headache.
Rare types of migraine
There are some rare types of migraine, which are also classed as migraine with aura.
Migraine with brainstem aura
Hemiplegic migraine
What Is A Stroke
A stroke happens when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain. Your brain cells cannot get the oxygen and nutrients they need from blood, and they start to die within a few minutes. This can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
If you think that you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 right away. Immediate treatment may save someone’s life and increase the chances for successful rehabilitation and recovery.
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Risk Factors You Can Control
- Smoking. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can harm the cardiovascular system, greatly increasing the risk of stroke.
- Diabetes. Untreated type 1 and type 2 diabetes increases the risk of stroke.
- Eating a high fatdiet. Eating a lot of foods high in saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol, which in turn can raise your risk of stroke.
- Lack of physical activity. Not getting enough exercise can raise the risk of stroke.
- Obesity. Obesity can increase the risk of developing other conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol, which in turn increase the risk of stroke.
