She had a mini-stroke that temporarily stopped the blood flow to her brain. Godett went to a nearby emergency room and recovered. She didn't really dwell on the fact that she was at high risk for another attack. After all, she reasoned, strokes strike older people, and she was only 29. Then, right around Valentine's Day 2007, Godett started to slur her words. One side of her body felt numb. She had had a severe stroke. This time, when Godett, an accountant in Philadelphia, tried to resume her life, she ran into major problems. At work, she had trouble adding up numbers, planning ahead or even thinking clearly.FIND MORE STORIES IN: Philadelphia Medicare Alzheimer Valentine Morgantown Stroke Association
BETTER LIFE: Rounding up the latest studies on Alzheimer's and dementia
The damage from the stroke had left her with vascular dementia, the second-leading cause of dementia in the USA behind Alzheimer's. Godett was only 31 at the time. Most people who have dementia are 65 or older, but according to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 500,000 people ages 55 to 64 struggle with some form of dementia. Work becomes impossible
Here are somw ways to prevent dementia
VASCULAR DEMENTIA PREVENTION
African-Americans have a greater chance of suffering a stroke and developing vascular dementia, but it can happen to anyone. To reduce the risk: Keep blood pressure in check. Don't let untreated high blood pressure damage artery walls. Maintain a normal body weight. Obesity can increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and other vascular problems. Don't smoke. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and add plenty of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables to your plate. Get plenty of exercise. Thirty minutes of activity on most days of the week is ideal. Take steps to reduce high blood cholesterol.
Sources: The American Heart Association and the
Now what do you think?
No comments:
Post a Comment