Healthy SoFlo Issue 49 - Menprovement: A Hub Design to Improve Men's Lives

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · JUNE 2017
WHY
YOUNGER
MEN NOW
NEED TO
WORRY
ABOUT
STROKES
Did you know that stroke is the fifth
leading cause of death in men?
Are you aware that an increasing
percentage of those deaths happen to
young men? (For purposes of this article,
the term "young" refers to men between
the ages of 18 – 34 years old.) The rate of
ischemic strokes (blood clots that block
the flow of blood to the brain) have risen
exponentially over the last 20+ years for
men of all ages, but the most alarming
statistics show a steady increase in strokes
for men under thirty-five-years-old. For
those reasons, researchers have begun to
take an in-depth look as to the causes and/
or correlations for that younger segment
of men. Some have speculated (with some
significant investigative evidence) that there
are lifestyle-related factors that contribute
to those numbers. Anything from leading
a sedentary life to congenital issues and
risky behavior may be significant factors to
consider when looking at the prevalence of
strokes in younger populations.
There is also a theory that those reported
increases may not be actual increases at
all. Some experts believe that the alarming
numbers may due in large part to better
diagnostic testing and better record keeping.
The more data available now, the easier
hospitalizations and/or death rates can be
tabulated. Therefore, it can appear that
the numbers of those affected have risen,
when in fact, there may not have been any
significant change at all, but as with any
large-scale study, more information and data
is needed to say with anything confidence
one way or the other.
In addition to collecting information about
patients after the fact, researchers have
also focused their attention on studying
risk factors and tracking how certain
conditions correlate with the increase of
strokes, and determining how to lessen the
probability. For instance, conditions such
as high blood pressure, obesity, excessive
alcohol consumption, high cholesterol, and
other potentially life-threatening conditions
increase the probability of someone
suffering a stroke.
One unique factor related to the increase
in strokes for young men is due to simple
lack of knowledge. Young people believe
themselves to be invincible. That perceived
invincibility causes them to ignore important
warning signs. Most can be attributed to
other things. Serious symptoms are often
ignored or overlooked. Doing so causes
critical delays in treatment. Often a young
person will ignore those symptoms for too
long and suffer irreparable damage because
of it.
Medical professionals dictate that stroke
patients must be treated within the first
three hours after the onset of a stroke.
Because young people tend to overlook
symptoms, those ‘golden hours' are missed,
thus, making a recovery much more difficult
for them. For this reason, it is imperative
that people, young and old, learn to
recognize the early warning signs of a stroke
and, in turn, act quickly.
According to research, someone in the
United States suffers a stroke every forty
seconds. What no one ever stops to
consider is that it can happen to a young
person. They must be taught to recognize
the symptoms to avoid suffering dire
consequences as a result.
SYMPTOMS TO
WATCH FOR INCLUDE:
pp
Facial Drooping
pp
Arm Weakness
pp
Speech Changes
pp
Time to call 911
If you have a sudden onset of these
symptoms, seek medical attention
immediately. Ignoring them may cost you
your life.
By Lauren Kasis
24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE