If you have diabetes, you need to think a little more about the health of your heart, kidneys, and brain. Because diabetes makes you twice as likely to have a dangerous condition called stroke than someone without it. But don't worry. With a healthy lifestyle and the right treatment, we can control this risk to a large extent. So, let's talk about this simply.
What exactly is a stroke?
Simply put, a stroke is an interruption of blood flow to the brain. Think of it like a system of pipes that pump water to our brain. These blood vessels provide the brain cells with the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive. What happens in a stroke is that one of these blood vessels suddenly becomes blocked or damaged. If blood flow to a part of the brain stops for more than 3-4 minutes, the cells in that part begin to die. This is what causes various functions in the body to be lost.
There are two main types of strokes:
- Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds into the brain.
When a person with diabetes has a stroke, the body's ability to respond to it is also reduced. Normally, if one blood vessel becomes blocked, the body tries to supply blood to the brain through other blood vessels that are like bypasses. But with diabetes, even those extra blood vessels can become narrowed and thickened over time with fatty deposits (plaque). In medicine, we call this ``Atherosclerosis'' . It's like rust forming inside a water pipe. Then that vital blood flow becomes severely obstructed.
What are the main causes of stroke?
The main risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure . In addition, the following factors also increase the risk:
- Smoking tobacco.
- Increased levels of bad cholesterol in the blood (High LDL Cholesterol).
- Uncontrolled diabetes.
- Heart disease.
Be very careful about these symptoms!
Whether you have diabetes or not, a stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, you should go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) without delay . Time is of the essence.
| Emergency symptom | How do you understand? |
|---|---|
| Numbness or weakness | Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body). |
| Difficulty speaking | Words get tangled, and you can't understand or speak even a simple sentence. |
| Visual impairments | Vision in one or both eyes suddenly becomes blurred or lost. |
| Difficulty swallowing | Suddenly you can't swallow something. |
| Dizziness, loss of balance | Sudden dizziness, loss of balance when walking and risk of falling. |
| Paralysis | Suddenly, you can't move a part of your body, for example, an arm or leg. |
| Severe headache | A severe, intense headache, for no apparent reason, that you have never experienced in your life. |
What are the treatments?
For ischemic stroke, that is, a stroke caused by a blood clot, the main treatment is a blood clot-dissolving drug called `(tPA).` But this should be given within the first 3-4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms . That is why we say to go to the ETU immediately. But this drug cannot be given to everyone. It is not given in cases such as those who have recently undergone major surgery or have had a head injury.
In addition, there are other treatment methods:
- Carotid Endarterectomy: This is a surgery that surgically removes fatty deposits (plaque) that have built up inside the carotid artery, a major artery that supplies blood to the brain.
- Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting: In this procedure, a balloon-like device is inserted through a thin tube into the blocked blood vessel, inflating it to widen it. A mesh-like stent is then inserted to prevent the vessel from narrowing again.
- Other methods: For some patients, specialized devices such as the Merci Retrieval System and the Penumbra System are now used to remove the blood clot.
Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
How do you survive a stroke?
There are many things you can do to prevent stroke if you have diabetes. Incorporating these into your lifestyle is your best defense.
| What to follow | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Avoid smoking completely. | Smoking damages blood vessels and greatly increases the risk of stroke. |
| Control blood sugar levels. | Good control of diabetes can minimize damage to blood vessels. |
| Maintain a healthy weight. | Excess weight causes high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. |
| Exercise regularly. | Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, strengthens the heart and blood vessels. |
| Check cholesterol levels. | Try to keep your LDL (bad) cholesterol level below 70 mg/dl. Your doctor will advise you on this. |
| Limit alcohol. | It is advisable for women to have no more than one drink per day, and for men, no more than two. |
| Check your blood pressure regularly. | If your blood pressure is high, follow your doctor's instructions to control it. |
| Take the medications exactly as prescribed by the doctor. | It is important to take the medications your doctor prescribes (e.g., aspirin, cholesterol-lowering medications) as prescribed. Never start or stop taking medications without medical advice. |
Take-Home Message
- Having diabetes significantly increases the risk of stroke.
- It is very important to go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately if you notice any emergency symptoms, such as numbness/loss of consciousness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking.
- The best way to prevent stroke is to keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under good control.
- Quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet can help save your life.
- Always talk to your doctor and follow his or her advice regarding treatment and lifestyle changes.
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