Glamtush
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Business & Brands
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Features
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Telenovelas
  • Events
  • Home
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Business & Brands
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Features
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Telenovelas
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Glamtush
No Result
View All Result
Home News Health

Is It A Headache Or Are You Having A Stroke?

byGLAMTUSH
September 20, 2023
in Health, News
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Headache
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsappShare on LinkedinShare on Telegram

Headaches can sometimes be so painful that it can make you wonder if something more serious is wrong.

 

Most headaches are due to tension, migraines, or sinus issues, but a sudden, severe headache can be a symptom of a more urgent problem, such as a stroke.

READ ALSO

Billionaire Businessman Aminu Dantata Dies At 94

Tinubu Receives Gabonese President In Abuja

 

It’s important to note that most headaches are unrelated to a stroke, says Dr. Helen Okoye a medical expert and spokesperson for the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) campaign. “However, if you or someone you know experiences a sudden, severe headache along with other neurological symptoms, seek immediate medical attention,” she says.

 

Time is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of a stroke, and early intervention can help to prevent permanent damage or death. Strokes are a life-threatening emergency – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke annually. Of those, five million die and another five million are left permanently disabled.

 

A headache associated with a stroke is typically different from a routine headache in several ways, says Dr. Okoye.

 

A normal headache 

Most headaches develop gradually and can be triggered by factors like stress, tension, lack of sleep, certain foods, caffeine, or dehydration. Pain is usually felt in the head, face, or neck, in a dull, aching, or throbbing pain. Other symptoms such as sensitivity to light or noise, nausea, and vomiting may also be experienced, but these are not typically as severe as those associated with a stroke.

 

Stroke-related headache

Headaches related to stroke typically occur suddenly and with intensity – often described as “the worst headache of my life”. The pain can be on one side of the head, particularly if the stroke affects a specific area of the brain. The headache may persist for an extended period, whereas routine headaches often resolve with time or after taking pain relief medication.

“Stroke-related headaches are also often accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision problems, dizziness, confusion, and problems with balance or coordination,” points out Dr. Okoye.

 

Strokes are a medical emergency that can lead to paralysis, loss of consciousness, and difficulty speaking or understanding language. “It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone else is experiencing symptoms that indicate a stroke. There is a time-sensitive window for treatment to minimise damage to the brain and improve the chances of recovery, and only a medical professional can provide a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment,” cautions Dr. Okoye.

 

What causes a stroke?

Most strokes are caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. This type of stroke is known as an ischemic stroke, and it occurs when a blood clot forms and obstructs the flow of blood to a part of the brain, explains Dr. Okoye.

The most common cause of an ischemic stroke is a thrombus, which is a blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel in the brain or elsewhere in the body, then breaks loose and travels to the brain, causing a blockage. This type of clot usually forms in arteries that have become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits), or in the heart in individuals with certain heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation.

In simple terms, says Dr Okoye, a stroke is like your brain’s equivalent of a heart attack. “When a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, the brain cells in that area do not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage and potentially causing stroke symptoms. The severity of the stroke and the resulting symptoms depend on the size and location of the blocked blood vessel.”

 

According to WHO, the risk of death depends on the type of stroke. Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) – where symptoms resolve in less than 24 hours – have the best outcome, followed by stroke caused by carotid stenosis (narrowing of the artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain). Blockage of an artery is more dangerous, with rupture of a cerebral blood vessel the most dangerous of all.

 

Reducing the risk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DCD), many stroke risk factors are lifestyle related, and 80% of strokes are preventable. This means that leading a healthy life and managing certain medical conditions can go a long way in lowering risk.

 

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the single most important treatable risk factor for stroke, and preventing, diagnosing, and controlling it is critical. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and work with your healthcare provider to keep it within a healthy range.

 

Diabetes is another high stroke risk. “Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of stroke, so it’s crucial to manage your blood sugar levels effectively. Being overweight also places you at a higher risk. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise, and if you drink, do so in moderation, as excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke,” advises Dr. Okoye.

 

“Eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and avoid excessive salt, saturated fats, and trans fats, as they can contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues,” she advises. Statistics from WHO show that for every 10 people who die of stroke, four could have been saved if their blood pressure had been regulated. Smoking also significantly increases stroke risk. Among those aged under 65, two-fifths of stroke deaths are linked to smoking. Tobacco use is one of the most significant modifiable risks, so if you smoke, seek help to quit.

 

“Having a stroke can be devastating to the sufferer and their families. It is a common cause of adult disability and can rob a patient of their independence,” says Dr Okoye. If you are at all concerned about your stroke risk, ask your healthcare provider to assess and address your individual stroke risk effectively.

Related Posts

Aminu Dantata
News

Billionaire Businessman Aminu Dantata Dies At 94

June 28, 2025
Gabonese President
News

Tinubu Receives Gabonese President In Abuja

June 27, 2025
Nigerian Woman Arrested In India
Metro/Crime

Nigerian Woman Arrested In India’s Major Drug Crackdown

June 27, 2025
Tax Laws
News

New Tax Laws Bold Step Toward More Transparent, Investment-Friendly Economy – Otedola

June 27, 2025
NAPTIP Declares Speed Darlington Wanted
Metro/Crime

NAPTIP Declares Speed Darlington Wanted Over Alleged Rape

June 27, 2025
NJC
News

NJC Sends 10 Judges On Compulsory Retirement, Recommends 21 For Appointment (FULL LIST)

June 27, 2025
Next Post
Wema Bank

Hackaholics Digital Summit 2023: Wema Bank Launches Africa’s Largest Gathering Of Innovators, Disruptors, Regulators, Policymakers, Investors & Customers In The Digital Space

LATEST COVER

Priscilla Ojo

GPBN Associates Member

Fidelity Bank

Zenith Bank

APC Acting National Chairman

Dalori Arrives Abuja To Resume Office As APC Acting National Chairman

June 28, 2025
Kayode Peters

Movie Producer Kayode Peters Passes Away In Canada

June 28, 2025
Frank Edoho

Frank Edoho Announces Crash Of Second Marriage

June 28, 2025
Aminu Dantata

Billionaire Businessman Aminu Dantata Dies At 94

June 28, 2025
Relationship Tips

10 Real Relationship Tips That Actually Work (And Are Easy to Apply)

June 28, 2025
Dalori Emerges New APC Chairman

Dalori Emerges New APC Chairman As Ganduje Resigns

June 28, 2025
Gabonese President

Tinubu Receives Gabonese President In Abuja

June 27, 2025
Nigerian Woman Arrested In India

Nigerian Woman Arrested In India’s Major Drug Crackdown

June 27, 2025
Ganduje

APC National Chairman Ganduje Resigns

June 27, 2025
Tax Laws

New Tax Laws Bold Step Toward More Transparent, Investment-Friendly Economy – Otedola

June 27, 2025

GLAMTUSH

 

Glamtush publishes the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, as well as those making the fashion world interesting and adorable.

RELEVANT PAGES

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

REACH OUT

Do you have any news for us? Event Coverage, Press Releases or Adverts? Then reach out to us via glamtush@gmail.com or glamtush15@gmail.com

OFFICE ADDRESS

Lagos, Nigeria

Copyright © 2022 Glamtush

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Glamtush – Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Naija News
  • Glamtush – Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Naija News
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Write for Us

© 2022 Glamtush

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Business & Brands
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Features
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Telenovelas
  • Events

© 2022 Glamtush