Experts say that people with diabetes should be more closely monitor their health due to the fact that they have an increased risk of stroke. In this disease, the blood circulation of the brain suffers, a certain part of the neurons die, which threatens with serious problems of speech, movement or sensitivity. The risk of stroke in male diabetics is 1.8 times higher compared with men who do not have this pathology. Its development is associated with atherosclerosis of the arteries, as well as insufficient control of blood sugar, which negatively affects the state of the blood vessel walls.What should diabetics do to prevent stroke?
Atherosclerosis of arteries: a role in the genesis of pathology
Stroke significantly impairs the blood supply to the brain. According to experts at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), this is a serious disease that can lead to long-term disability and even death.
With prolonged diabetes increases the risk of developing stroke for several reasons. Firstly, patients with type 2 diabetes are prone to developing atherosclerosis of the arteries, which disrupts the blood supply to the tissues and organs. More often, atherosclerosis of the arteries is provoked in patients with certain risk factors, which include obesity, high blood pressure or dyslipidemia (increased concentration of “bad” cholesterol).
Why are stroke risks higher?
The risk of stroke also increases due to prolonged irreversible damage to the blood vessels. An uncorrected increased blood sugar concentration over time can lead to changes in the walls of blood vessels, making them fragile and thin. This can affect the total blood flow to the tissues or internal organs, including the brain, which can trigger a stroke.
Smoking and a lack of physical activity also increase the risk of stroke in diabetics. Other factors that increase the risk of developing a stroke, but which are beyond the control of the patient, include:
- Unfavorable heredity (this includes atherosclerosis of the arteries in the family, and strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, and diabetes itself)
- Aging of the body.
- The presence of sickle cell anemia.
- Detection of heart failure, previous heart attacks or atrial fibrillation (cardiac arrhythmia).
All these risk factors create a higher risk of developing a stroke against the background of existing diabetes.
Diabetes and the risks of pathologies
According to statistics, the risk of stroke in women with diabetes is more than two times higher than in women without this pathology. The risk of stroke in men is above 1.8 times. According to some estimates, the risk is even higher than official statistics, which is associated with the presence of concomitant pathologies in many people with diabetes.
Those people who are diagnosed with sugar diabetes, the most common of these is ischemic stroke. Hemorrhages in the brain occur less frequently, usually they are associated with comorbid pathologies of the blood system and arterial hypertension. Although the patient himself cannot fully control all possible risk factors for a dangerous complication, some changes in life have been identified that are necessary for a person if he is diagnosed with diabetes.
Take control of blood sugar!
It is important to regularly determine blood sugar to keep it under control at all times. Doctors are trying to aim patients at a constant determination of blood sugar from the period when they reveal a violation of glucose tolerance (previously, this condition was called pre-diabetes). This is to prevent or delay the onset of symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
By constantly monitoring blood sugar, patients can avoid health complications, such as stroke. It is necessary to seek help from an endocrinologist, go through diabetes school to learn how to control the concentration of sugar in the blood against the background of various situations. It is not yet clear whether diabetes control is effective in preventing stroke, but diabetes control is important for overall health.
Blood circulation of the brain, hypertension, medical control
With high pressure, the blood circulation of the brain is disturbed, which increases the risk of fatal complications. The risk of stroke in detecting type 2 diabetes is reduced against the background of constant monitoring of blood pressure. Controlling high blood pressure prevents the risk of all types of stroke, be it brain hemorrhage or ischemia. It is necessary to regularly measure the pressure, and when it rises, take all the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
No less important is a regular visit to the doctor. Consistent medical monitoring of the dynamics of diabetes symptoms, as well as any other pathologies, is monitored, they are treated and the prevention of complications is carried out. It is necessary to use all the medicines in accordance with the prescriptions of the doctor, regularly monitor the condition, adjusting the dosage.
Shown good nutrition and physical activity. Lifestyle changes, including regular physical activity and a healthy diet, are important. In the diet, sugar and saturated fats should be limited, the calorie content of the diet is strictly controlled. You need to talk to your doctor about lowering LDL cholesterol (which is also known as “bad” cholesterol) in the diet.
Other healthy changes in life are also needed. They include weight loss, if the patient has extra pounds, and good sleep. If the patient smokes, you need to find a way to give up the bad habit.
Signs of danger
Damage to the brain during the detection of diabetes may occur suddenly. It is important to know the warning signs for immediate medical attention. These include:
- Sharply emerging weakness, development of numbness in the face, paralysis of the legs or arms, one half of the body.
- Drastic visual impairment, ceases to see both one and both eyes.
- Speech disorders or problems with her understanding.
- Attacks of pronounced vertigo.
- Fainting or falling in place.
- An agonizing headache attack for no known reason.
For any described symptom, an emergency call with hospitalization is necessary. Effects of stroke diabetic may vary greatly. The severity of the lesion may be more severe, and longer rehabilitation is required.