Are you at risk of stroke if you have diabetes? Let's talk about this!

Do you have diabetes? Then you must be constantly concerned about your blood sugar levels, right? That's a very good thing. However, one of the more serious conditions that can occur due to diabetes is a stroke, or as we say in English , a stroke . Many people are not aware of this. So, today we will talk in detail about the relationship between diabetes and stroke, what it can cause, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from it. Because this can be very important for you and your loved ones.

What is a stroke? Let's understand it simply

Okay, let's first look at what a stroke is. Simply put, a stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood to our brain becomes blocked or bursts. Think of it like a water pipe that stops flowing. Our brain cells need oxygen and nutrients to function. These come from the blood. So when the blood flow stops in that way, a part of the brain does not receive oxygen and nutrients. Then those brain cells start to die.

Important: When the brain is damaged, the body functions controlled by the damaged part may be impaired.

There are several things that could be causing this:

• Difficulty speaking, or not being able to understand what is being said. Sometimes words get tangled up, making it difficult to speak properly.
• Memory loss. You may even forget familiar things.
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body (this is called paralysis). For example, one side of the face, arm, or leg may be paralyzed.
• Having body aches.
• Difficulty controlling emotions, or sudden feelings of sadness or depression.
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, learning new things, and making decisions.
• In some severe cases , death can even occur.

You see how serious this situation is.

What is the risk of stroke for people with diabetes?

Now let's look at how likely it is for someone with diabetes to have a stroke. In fact, compared to someone without diabetes, an adult with diabetes is 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke . Also, people with diabetes are almost twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke than people without diabetes. These statistics are a bit scary, aren't they? But don't worry, being aware of this is the first step.

How does diabetes cause paralysis ?

Why does this happen? When we have diabetes, our bodies can't use food properly. Your body can't make enough of a hormone called insulin , or it can't use the insulin it makes properly. This insulin is the sugar in the food we eat, which is called glucose., which helps to create energy by entering our cells.

So, when insulin doesn't work properly, this glucose doesn't enter the cells and instead builds up in the blood. When blood sugar levels are high like this for a long time, it damages the blood vessels in our body. It's like rust eating away at a corpse. The walls of the blood vessels thicken, narrow, and lose their flexibility. We also call this condition (atherosclerosis) . When this happens, the blood vessels can easily become blocked or burst. This is especially true of the blood vessels that go to the brain, which can cause strokes.

Many adults with diabetes may also have other health problems that increase their risk of stroke:

• Excess body weight: Fat accumulation, especially around the abdomen. A healthy weight is generally defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.
• Heart disease: Diabetes is also a major cause of heart disease.
• High blood pressure: This also damages blood vessels.
• High cholesterol: Increased levels of fat in the blood can also cause blood vessels to become clogged.

When all of this is combined, the risk of paralysis increases even more.

What are the symptoms of paralysis caused by diabetes?

One thing to note here is that the symptoms of a stroke caused by diabetes are similar to the symptoms of a normal stroke. This means that if you see these symptoms, you need to act quickly.

• Some difficulty speaking: slurring words, not being able to understand what is being said, not being able to speak.
• Dizziness, loss of balance when walking, or difficulty walking.
• A severe, sudden headache: This is not like a normal headache, but a severe pain that comes on suddenly.
• Sudden confusion: Loss of consciousness, loss of place and time.
• Vision problems: sudden blurred vision, double vision.
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body: For example, drooping on one side of the face, inability to lift an arm or leg, feeling lifeless.

Pay attention! Paralysis is a medical emergency . If you notice any of these symptoms, you should go to the hospital immediately. Every second that passes increases the damage to the brain. In Sri Lanka, you can also call the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service.

How to recognize a stroke?

If you suspect you have a stroke, doctors will do the following:

• They will check if you can move your facial muscles, arms, and legs properly.
• They may ask you simple questions to check your mental state, or ask you to describe a picture or something.
• They will order tests to take pictures of your brain. This may include a CT scan.One – that is, a special X-ray test that can take cross-sectional pictures of your brain – or an MRI scan – a test that uses magnetic waves to take detailed pictures of the brain – may be included.
• You may have tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart, and tests like an ultrasound scan or arteriogram to check your blood vessels.

These tests can reveal many things, such as whether there is a stroke, if so, what type, and where in the brain it is affected.

How is paralysis caused by diabetes treated?

If a stroke or risk of stroke is detected early, some treatments can help.

Quick treatment

• Clot-busting drugs: If a blood vessel is blocked, these drugs can help dissolve the clot and restore blood flow. But they must be given within a few hours of the onset of symptoms. That's why it's important to get to the hospital quickly.
• Carotid Stenting: Sometimes the main blood vessel in the neck (carotid artery) can become blocked. A small mesh-like device (stent) is inserted into it to keep the vessel open.
• Carotid Endarterectomy: This is also a surgery performed if there is a blockage in the carotid arteries due to fatty deposits .

Rehabilitation

Some people may experience long-term effects after a stroke. Rehabilitation treatment is very important for them to get back to normal life.

• Occupational therapy: Helps you learn to do important daily tasks like writing and dressing independently.
• Physical therapy: Exercises and treatments are used to restore strength and function in the arms and legs.
• Psychological counseling: Helps you cope with psychological problems (such as depression and anxiety) that may arise due to paralysis.
• Speech therapy: Helps improve speech if it is affected.

This rehabilitation process takes some time and requires patience, but it can lead to great progress.

What is the recovery status of someone who has been paralyzed due to diabetes?

Recovery from a stroke varies greatly from person to person. It depends on many factors, including the type of stroke, the extent of brain damage, and how quickly treatment is received. Some people may have minor strokes and recover quickly without any long-term effects. Others may have severe strokes that can leave them with lifelong disabilities.

Similarly, while some people are able to go home quickly after paralysis treatment, others may need to stay longer in the hospital or in a rehabilitation center.

I have diabetes, can I reduce my risk of stroke?

Yes, you can! This is the most important part of this article. If you have diabetes, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. These are just a few small changes you can make to your lifestyle.

• Check your blood glucose level regularly. Try to keep it at a healthy level (70-130 mg/dL before meals, less than 140 mg/dL two hours after meals). Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Check your blood pressure regularly. Tell your doctor if you have any concerns. Try to keep it below 140/90 mmHg.
• Eat a nutritious, balanced diet. This can help lower cholesterol and maintain a healthy weight. Eat less oil, salt, and sugar, and more vegetables, fruits, greens, and fiber-rich foods.
• Exercise regularly. Even something as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day can help.
• Get the sleep your body needs. Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.
• Go to the doctors on time and follow their instructions.
• Reduce the amount of salt you add to your diet. This will help control blood pressure.
• Maintain a healthy weight that suits you, especially reduce belly fat.
• If you smoke, stop immediately. Also stop using tobacco products.
• Take all medications prescribed to you exactly as your doctor tells you, and on time.

If you follow these things correctly, you can protect yourself not only from the risk of stroke, but also from many other complications caused by diabetes.

When should you go to the hospital immediately? (Or call 1990?)

If you have diabetes, it's important for you and your family to be aware of the symptoms of stroke. If you notice any of these symptoms, don't delay and seek medical help immediately.

• Some difficulty speaking.
• Dizziness, loss of balance when walking, or difficulty walking.
• A severe, sudden headache.
• Sudden confusion.
• Difficulty seeing, seeing one thing or two things.
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body (e.g., face, arm, or leg).

You can also use the acronym FAST to remember these characteristics.

Face – Does one side of your face droop? Does one side twitch when you smile?

Arms – When asked to raise both arms, does one arm drop?

Speech – Do you get confused when speaking? Can't even say a simple sentence correctly?

Time – If any of these characteristics are present,Don't waste time and call 1990 immediately or go to a hospital.

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing a stroke. It can lead to serious health problems and disabilities. But the good news is that you can greatly reduce this risk.

It is important to control your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight. Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Talk to your doctor about your stroke risk and ways to prevent it. Don't worry, awareness and proactivity are the best keys to a healthy life. May you find the strength to stay healthy!

` Diabetes, Paralysis, Stroke, Diabetes Mellitus, Brain Stroke, Sugar Level, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Health, Sri Lanka