stroke-related stories
Vitamin D - Step Outside for a Healthy Heart
It's a well-known fact that vitamin D is important for bone health. But it's important for other reasons as well.Low levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of heart-health issues, including heart attacks and strokes. While you do obtain some vitamin D through diet, the best source is sunlight. So now, while the evenings are short, it's important to make a concentrated effort to get some exposure to the sun.
Ten minutes of sun exposure is enough for people with light skin -- those with darker skin will need a little extra time. Try going for a walk during your lunch hour -- it's a perfect way to get your daily dose of sunlight while getting a little extra exercise as well.
Walking game aids recovery
Fitness, Alternative & Green Health
Martha recently posted about how exercise can help stroke patients recover. A new virtual reality program that is undergoing clinical trials in the UK and in Canada helps the recovery process a little more.A researcher at Portsmouth University in the UK created a treadmill that's linked to a virtual reality system. The system helps people recovering from strokes, traumatic falls, and those living with osteoarthritis to build up their endurance, increase their range of motion, and improve their gate.
The system displays scenes -- cityscapes, forest trails, mountains, etc. As the patient is walking on the treadmill, the scenery changes. The system gives them the motivation to walk -- and it also encourages them to virtually pick up objects which aids in balance. In addition, the motion of the scenery is adjusted so the patients walk faster and more smoothly, almost without realizing it.
How stroke victims can help their brain heal
Healthy Aging, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Strokes can be debilitating at best, deadly at worst. But for those who've survived a stroke, new research shows that there is one important thing they can do to help their brain facilitate positive changes: Exercise. And we're not talking about running weekly marathons here--walking on the treadmill as little as three times a week can significantly improve mobility and physical conditioning.
What's more, patients don't need to start an exercise regime immediately after their stroke -- Starting a workout program any time after a stroke was beneficial. In fact, one patient showed improvement after exercising 20 years after his stroke.
Man, is there anything a good workout can't do?
What's more, patients don't need to start an exercise regime immediately after their stroke -- Starting a workout program any time after a stroke was beneficial. In fact, one patient showed improvement after exercising 20 years after his stroke.
Man, is there anything a good workout can't do?
3 tips for a better swim
Here, three dad-generated tips I received on how to become a better swimmer.
- Bring arms high out of the water with each stroke, hands cupped, and reaching a bit across the body (right arm reaches to the left; left to the right) as they scoop into the water. My arms were low, I was hitting the water with the side of my head, and I was not reaching across.
- Breath on a four-count (because I need to breathe to the right only). Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath to the right. Repeat. I was breathing on a two-count, thinking it was necessary in order to get enough air. Not so.
- Kick with the hip, not below the knee.
My new stroke powers me better, my breathing allows me more speed -- not so much time spent turning my head and gulping air -- and my kick propels me with more force. I feel stronger, quicker, and more skilled. Dara Torres I will never be. But a better swimmer, I am.
Health Sign #3: Leg Pain
Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Men's Health
Do-It-Yourself diagnosis is usually a pretty bad idea; that is, unless you just so happen to have the letters M.D. that appear at the end of your signature. But for those of us without years of medical school under our belt, assuming that a particular pain, dysfunction, or even blotchy patch of skin is nothing to be concerned about can sometimes be a highly problematic for our health.The British edition of Men's Health addresses the self-diagnosis problem in the article "7 Deadly Signs," describing how minor symptoms may actually signal major health hazards. Over the next seven days, we will provide a daily summary of one of the various aches and pains that may be indicative of a greater problem, illustrating the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with your physician and why DIY diagnosis can sometimes be dangerous.
Health Sign #3: Leg Pain
Could Possibly Be: Heart Disease
Citing researchers from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, Men's Health reports that experiencing leg pain while walking or running is a common symptom of cardiovascular disease. The researchers further stated that if the pain in your leg stops when you stop moving, but worsens when carrying weight or when moving quickly, it may be an early sign that you're at a higher risk for heart attack or stroke as "the arteries supplying the lower limbs narrow."
Links to:
Health Sign #1: Pain in Your Foot
Health Sign #2: Back Pain
Frequent migraines may signal stroke risk
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
I've thankfully never experienced a migraine myself, but people I know who have describe them as being tremendously debilitating. And, the fact that their migraines sometimes keep them locked in a dark room for hours on end, it's quite clear that migraines are no ordinary headaches.But, are there health risks associated with migraines beyond the terrible discomfort and occasional vomiting? There are indeed, according to an article that appears in this month's edition of Women's Health magazine. Citing a recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, the article suggests that migraine frequency may indicate an elevated risk of stroke.
In the study, almost 28,000 women were followed for an average of 12 years. Those who had migraines with aura or visual disturbances of any kind were found to be three times more likely to have a stroke than women who did not suffer from migraines of this kind or at all. However, researchers stated that more investigation into this possible link needs to be conducted before any determination can be made conclusively.
Daily Fit Tip: Get busy
Want to cut your heart attack risk in half? How about boosting your immune system by 30%? You can have these perks and more just by (ahem) getting busy.
The science of sleep
Healthy Aging, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation
A study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association compared sleeping patterns and stroke risk among 93,175 women aged 50 to 79 years.
Researchers controlled for other known stroke risk factors (such as race, lifestyle factors, and depression symptoms) in analyzing the link between sleep and stroke risk and found an increased risk among those who slept more or less than seven hours per night.
According to the study findings,women who slept seven hours a night had the lowest risk for stroke. The results also revealed that women who slept nine hours or more had a 70 percent higher risk of stroke than those that slept the seemingly healthier seven hours. And, those who slept less than six hours per night had a 14 percent higher risk of stroke.
Getting to be early tonight suddenly seems like a terrific idea, doesn't it?
Berries battle blood pressure and more
I love berries, which makes it my pleasure to report on any health benefit they so scrumptiously offer.
According to a recent study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating just five ounces of mixed berries a day can lower blood pressure and thin the blood, thus reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes. Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are at their peak right now, so why not pick some up and get your dose of potent antioxidants. Woman's Day magazine (July 8, 2008) offers these yummy snack ideas.
Want more on the benefits of berries. Check out this article.
According to a recent study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating just five ounces of mixed berries a day can lower blood pressure and thin the blood, thus reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes. Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are at their peak right now, so why not pick some up and get your dose of potent antioxidants. Woman's Day magazine (July 8, 2008) offers these yummy snack ideas.
- Make a colorful parfait. Spoon alternating layers of fat-free strawberry yogurt and mixed berries into a parfait glass. Top with shaved almonds or chopped walnuts.
- Sweeten iced tea with berry juice. Add a splash of raspberry, black currant, or cranberry juice to a glass of homemade unsweetened iced tea.
- Satisfy a sweet tooth. Drop some raspberries in a bowl and drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
Want more on the benefits of berries. Check out this article.
Daily Fit Tip: Eat your veggies
Daily Fit Tip, Nutrition & Supplements
Mom knew what she was talking about all those years ago. But are you eating enough vegetables now? Most adults aren't.
Exercise improves periodontal health
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Men's Health
Want to know another reason -- beyond those you can already think of -- why you should keep doing all those pull-ups, running all those miles, hiking all those trails, swimming all those laps, and playing all those sports? See how this one suits you: staying out of the dentist's chair.The Journal of Periodontology reports that regular exercise can greatly reduce a person's risk of gum disease. In tests, men who put in a solid 45-minute workout three times a week were 40 percent less likely to develop gum problems than men who avoided workouts like ... well, like most people avoid the dentist.
Maintaining healthy gums is important for overall health. Numerous studies have linked periodontal disease to more serious health issues, such as an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Weight loss common in stroke survivors
Recently, a That's Fit reader sent us a question. Several years ago she had a stroke. Since then she has lost too much weight and was looking for advice on gaining weight healthfully. It's such a great question. So often health and wellness sites focus on tips for weight loss, but anyone who's on the other side of the scale needs help, too. Just like there are unhealthy ways to lose weight, there are also unhealthy ways to gain it. It's important to work with a professional to gain weight healthfully.Weight loss is common in stroke survivors. In fact, a cousin of mine had a stroke a couple of years ago and has subsequently lost far too much weight. While the reasons could be different for every survivor, some possible reasons for weight loss include difficulty swallowing, depression, decreased food intake, and neurological conditions that make eating difficult.
If you or someone you know is a stroke survivor and has experienced severe weight loss, the first step is to see your doctor. Your doctor will likely run tests to verify that there is nothing else that's causing the weight loss. If no other issues are discovered, you will likely be referred to a registered dietitian. An RD can give you personalized advice on how to gain weight healthfully and maintain that weight gain. The American Stroke Association has more information for living a healthy life after a stroke.
Lower your cholesterol -- starting now
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Make it your mission to get your cholesterol checked. Do it as soon as you can, because time is a factor here. High cholesterol is a major contributer to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke and if you know your cholesterol numbers are starting to lead you down a dangerous path, there is something you can do about it.You can eat better. You can lose weight. You can exercise. For some, medication may be necessary. In other cases, a combination of all four is key.
Since we're all about eating right and exercising well here at That's Fit, we say you ought to do these few things.
Pop the cork
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
It looks like it may be time to pop open another bottle of Cristal, playa. Nothing screams decadence and unnecessary expenditure like this choice champagne, which is why it flows like water in so many hip-hop videos. But it turns out that paying $250 per bottle may actually be worth it in the long run.The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published the results of a recent joint study by the University of Reading and University of Cagliari that showed moderate consumptions of Champagne may help the brain cope with the trauma of stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidants found in red wine -- called polyphenols -- are also found in abundance in champagne.
I know what you must be saying -- why spend $250 on a bottle of Cristal when you can spend about $10 on a bottle of Korbel? There are two reasons: 1 - Cristal is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, the two varieties scientists linked to the greatest reduction of stroke risk, and 2 - Because you'll be carrying around the coolest medication of all time.
Vitamin C may reduce stroke risk
HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
When I think interesting and engaging reading material, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition immediately jumps to mind. Nothing gets me going like page after page of almost incomprehensible empirical findings written by some of the most cerebral people on the planet. Okay, fine ... so I don't actually read the journal ... or many of the articles for that matter. I'm more of an abstract guy, probably a carry-over from my Cliff Notes days back in high school.
That all being said, in the course of skimming through a recent edition of this well-respected journal, I happened upon a study on vitamin C that caught my attention. Thanks to the abstract, I learned right away that having higher levels of vitamin C in the bloodstream may help reduce the risk of stroke. Upon further examination of the article itself, I found that this comprehensive study (which included 20,649 British men and women) revealed that people with the highest level of vitamin C had a 42 percent lower risk of stroke than people with the lowest levels.
Even when outside variables -- such as age, sex, smoking, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise habits, etc. -- were controlled for, these findings remained the same. Researchers posit that high vitamin C levels may signal a healthy lifestyle that lowers the risk of stroke, specifically a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
