The resulting stress can lead to some serious problems — one of them being an increased risk of suffering a stroke!

Can Stress Cause A Stroke? The Answer May Shock You!

The pressures of managing an increasingly challenging work-life balance take its
toll on our mental health. And the resulting stress can lead to some serious
problems — one of them being an increased risk of suffering a stroke!

Table of contents

 * How Does Stress Increase Your Chances Of A Stroke?
 * How Does A Stroke Happen?
 * What Exactly Happens During Stress?
 * How To Find Out If You Are Stressed?
 * How To Get Rid Of The Stress?

How Does Stress Increase Your Chances Of A Stroke?
Scientists have found that people who have heightened activity in the amygdala —
the part of the brain commonly linked to stress — are more likely to develop
cardiovascular disease. It contributes to aggravating health risks like 
hypertension, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, heart problems
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/7-major-stroke-risk-factors/], etc. These
health issues are categorized as ‘high risk factors’ for a stroke.

It has been found in a study that stress apparently raises the risk of a Stroke
or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
[http://www.neofect.com/us/blog/ministroke-and-stroke-what-should-we-do/] by
59%. A TIA is a mini-stroke caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the
brain.

Additionally, stress leads to developing harmful habits like smoking, which is
again a well-established risk factor for a stroke.

How Does A Stroke Happen?
There are two kinds of strokes that could happen!

1. Hemorrhagic Stroke
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-stroke/]:
Bleeding in the brain causes this kind of stroke. A weak spot in the wall of the
vessel can, in turn, cause an aneurysm (bulging of the vessel wall). The vessels
can become weak also by chronic high blood pressure and sometimes, they break
from the force.

When the vessel breaks, the blood leaks into surrounding tissue. It thereby
hampers the passage of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

2. Ischemic Stroke
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-stroke/]:
This happens because of blocked arteries, which can be caused owing to a buildup
of cholesterol.

It should be noted, that a person who has a comparatively healthy lifestyle and
has the right body weight, will be able to handle periodic high stress, without
much of a problem.

But, if the stress becomes chronic, it can cause a stroke. For people who
already have major health issues, stress can be a highly probable cause for
stroke. A person who is genetically predisposed to hypertension, diabetes,
obesity etc, is also at a higher risk for stroke caused by stress
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/7-major-stroke-risk-factors/].




What Exactly Happens During Stress?
Chronic stress results in continuous high levels of cortisol and other stress
hormones. This can cause retention of salt, which will then increase the bodily
blood pressure. With time, this causes stress on blood vessels.

Stress can also cause blood sugar to increase, due to which the vessels can’t
dilate or contract to control blood flow better.

Disruption in sleep cycles can be a result of increased levels of cortisol. 
Fatigue is the natural progression to this. Thereby, a person might exercise and
eat poorly. This is a vicious cycle that can cause any of the various health
issues that are responsible for strokes.

How To Find Out If You Are Stressed?
People usually ignore stress and don’t take the necessary steps to deal with it.
At the same time, it is impossible to measure the levels of stress — it depends
entirely on the tolerance levels of a person!

Some could be stressed owing to the pressures of a job, or some could be facing
the stress of dealing with difficult relationships. The extent to which one can
handle it determines the severity of stress.

However, you could pay attention to these subtle signs, to know if you are
stressed!

 * Do your family members and close friends keep asking you if you are stressed?
 * Do you find yourself at odds with them, more frequently?
 * Have you stopped doing things that used to make you happy?
 * Do you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, compared to your normal
   patterns?
 * Do you delay getting out of bed, especially if you know the day is going to
   be stressful?
 * Do you find an increase in the number of cigarettes you smoke or has your
   intake of alcohol suddenly increased?

If you find yourself nodding to most or all of these questions, it might be time
to take a step back and look for ways to manage the stress, before it causes
some serious trouble!


How To Get Rid Of The Stress?

Here are some habits you can implement in your day-to-day life to ensure that
you aren’t too stressed!

1. Exercise!
People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety as against
people who don’t. Exercise helps release endorphins, which improve your mood and
act as natural painkillers. Exercising regularly can also help regulate your
sleep patterns, and boost your confidence by improving your overall appearance!

2. Maintain A Healthy Diet!
Make sure your diet includes a healthy mix of green leafy vegetables, water, and
less caffeine. High doses of coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks can
increase anxiety! Test your sensitivity to caffeine before cutting down on it
entirely.

3. Laugh… A Lot!
Laughing can help relieve tension by relaxing the muscles. In the long term too,
laughter can improve your immune system and mood.

A study among people with cancer found that people in the laughter intervention
group experienced more stress relief than those who were simply distracted.

4. Spend Time With Family and Friends!
Having a rich social life can alleviate stress. Spending time with the people
you love releases oxytocin that is a natural stress reliever!

5. Learn To Say No!
Not all factors causing stress are within your control. But, you can always try
to be selective of the responsibilities you take on, especially when it comes to
work. Taking on more than you can handle, and then trying to juggle it all
successfully, can cause a lot of stress.

6. Be Mindful Of Procrastination!
Prioritize your tasks — and stay on top of it! Prepare a to-do list every day,
and give yourself realistic deadlines. This way you can avoid the last-minute
stress of trying to get too much done in a short period!

7. Cultivate Hobbies!
Having hobbies can give you the much-needed break from the routine, and refresh
your mind. Often, distraction is the best remedy for stress. Listening to music,
some light reading, painting, or something you enjoy doing, can work wonders for
your stress levels!

8. Get A Pet!
If you aren’t allergic to fur, you can always think of getting a pet. Pets can
be incredible stress relievers. They keep you active and provide companionship,
which can improve your mood by leaps and bounds!

Do not deprive yourself of anything, but make sure your body and mind do not
fall into the trap of chronic stress. If you feel that the stress you face in
your life is bogging you down, seek help. Pronto. You can lower the risk of
getting a stroke by about 24%!!


--
Has a stroke left you or your loved one struggling to regain full functionality
in your arm or hand? Introducing the Neofect Smart Rehab
[https://shop.neofect.com/], a biofeedback training device.

Repetition is the key to increase mobility. Neofect Smart Rehab
[https://shop.neofect.com/] encourages repetition in a fun, engaging way through
interactive gamified training games, challenging you to improve arm and hand
function through neuroplasticity which is the brain's ability to retrain itself
after an injury. Through repetition, you can strengthen other pathways in the
brain to improve the use of your affected side.

Call us (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984] or email us at info@neofect.com to 
start your smart rehab with the Neofect today.

*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Stroke and Stress

Consistent participation in rehabilitation can be hard to sustain, often because it is difficult for patients to notice progress as it is happening.

How to measure stroke recovery properly

How to measure stroke recovery properly
Consistent participation in rehabilitation can be hard to sustain, often because
it is difficult for patients to notice progress as it is happening. Small
changes are often unseen or overlooked as insignificant. Perceived lack of
progress can lead to burnout and abandonment of rehab programming. Keeping track
of even the tiniest goal achievements can be a great way to remain empowered
during recovery.


What can little achievements signify?

 * reduced dependency on caregivers
 * progress toward a new set of skills
 * increased energy for participation in preferred activity

Most patients have a tendency to judge their progress based on unreasonable
expectations of themselves in the short term. They can become frustrated when
their abilities fluctuate from day to day and can easily forget that stroke
recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Concrete measurements taken over the long
term can be a great way to reinforce that functional recovery happens bit by
bit.


What to keep track of?

 * How quickly a task can be completed
 * How long a position or motion can be maintained
 * How many repetitions can be performed at one time.
 * Distances traveled
 * Videos demonstrating quality of movement or speech
 * Devices or equipment required during an activity


When to take measurements?
These objective measurements should be taken consistently to best track progress
as well as to understand the body’s normal variations in ability from day to
day. It is best to record the important data in written or visual form for easy
access For example, keep a log of the time it takes to walk a certain distance
or finish buttoning a shirt. With consistent practice and documentation, the
time needed will improve. If a plateau in progress in reached, the training
methods may need to be adjusted.

Maintaining documentation throughout the stroke recovery process can be
invaluable for patients, caregivers and medical practitioners. Modern tools like
Neofect’s smart rehabilitation devices can make this process significantly
easier. Proprietary software utilizes artificial intelligence to automatically
gather and record complex data in a digital format while patients are focused on
task specific activity.



During each activity the smart algorithm is seamlessly recording speed, accuracy
and range of motion thus eliminating the need for the patient to self record
results which can easily be inaccurate or inconsistent. The consolidated reports
section allows patients to easily access tracked information about their
progress in order to remain motivated. Please visit our website
[https://www.neofect.com/us] if you are curious about Neofect Home, a digital
solution for hand rehabilitation of stroke patients.


*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Stroke Recovery

How To Measure Stroke Recovery Properly

If you are wondering where to begin check out these tips on how to best support your loved one after a stroke.

Family Support After Stroke: How Can I Help?

Family Support After Stroke
Strokes can be devastating events that have long term effects on the entire
family. The recovery process can be difficult to navigate. If you are wondering
where to begin check out these tips on how to best support your loved one after
a stroke.

Get organized
Navigating the complex world of healthcare services can be incredibly complex.
Information often gets lost in translation or forgotten over time. Creating a
caregiver notebook or folder can be a helpful way to consolidate information and
keep track of what’s happening around you and your loved one.

This notebook may include:

 * Contact information: A running list of all those involved, including family
   members, doctors, therapists, specialists etc.
 * A Schedule: keep a list of your loved one’s preferences and daily needs that
   can be used by others if you are away. This may include when they like to
   have a shower, foods they cannot eat, or a list of enjoyable hobbies.
 * A therapy log: Keep track of all medical procedures and daily occurrences in
   therapy. This will help you and future clinicians to understand what has been
   done in the past and inform their choices for the future.

Educate yourself:
As soon as you have a few free moments, start to research. The more you know the
better you will be at making informed decisions and acting as an advocate for
your loved one. There is a plethora of stroke related information available on
the internet and via your healthcare providers.
Start by learning the basic information surrounds stroke etiology, prognosis and
recovery process. Sites like the national stroke association and strokesmart.org
can help you gain a better understanding of where to go from here.
Once you have a better grasp on the basics. You may want to familiarize yourself
with what products and services are available that may enhance the quality of
your loved one’s recovery process. Technology is constantly evolving, and
Products like Neofect’s smart rehabilitation tools can supplement traditional
therapeutic techniques both while in the hospital or at home. Check out
neofect.com to find out more.

Modify the Environment
Remember to check in with your care team to find out how you can help ensure
that your loved one returns to a safe and stable living environment. The home
may need to be adapted by adding grab bars or ramps to prevent further decline
or injury. Double check that all equipment needed such as walkers or bed side
commodes will be available on or before the day of discharge. Your loved one may
need more than physical assistance once at home, you may need to appoint someone
to buy groceries, open mail, pay bills, pick up medication or attend to
financial planning.

Provide emotional support
The risk for significant mood changes and depression increases dramatically
after a stroke. Don’t underestimate how important your emotional support and
presence can be to your loved one. They may feel isolated or afraid. At times
they also may not have full control of their emotions, which could lead to
unexpected laughter or tears. Remember to be patient with them and with
yourself. Support groups both online and in person can be a life saver for many
patients and caregivers. Taking care of yourself is vital to both you and your
loved one. Remember to value yourself and the work you are doing for your loved
one.



*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-Home.neofect.com [http://home.neofect.com]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Family Support

What are some good foods for a stroke survivor to eat? Can you drink coffee or green tea after a stroke? What else is importatnt besides diet?

Is There a Good Diet for Stroke?

What are some good foods for a stroke survivor to eat?
There is not a particular recommended diet for stroke survivors who are
recovering. On the contrary, there are no diets a stroke survivor should
strictly avoid. The most important principle is to have a balanced diet of
protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Adhering to healthy eating
habits is crucial.



It is especially important to consume fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat
foods, fish, and nuts. Vegetables not only contain essential minerals but are
also rich in nutrients and fiber. In addition, it is low in calories which is
helpful for treating or preventing obesity. Fibroid materials in fruit is better
absorbed when fruits are eaten not juiced. Fish contains high levels of
unsaturated fatty acids which should be consumed at least twice a week.

If you are worried about hyperlipidemia and completely remove meat or fish from
your diet, the supply of essential fatty acids and essential amino acids may be
insufficient. So, it is recommended that you consume an appropriate amount.
However, excessive intake of sugar and salt through instant foods, high-fat
foods, spicy, and salty foods can cause obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Obesity may lead to allergic sclerosis, therefore you should refrain from
overeating.



Can you drink coffee or green tea after a stroke?
Long-term intake of small amounts of coffee that does not contain sugar or
non-dairy creamer is known to be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease.
But excessive intake may result in arrhythmia or cardiac arrest.

Green tea contains a kind of flavonoid called catechin. Flavonoids have
antioxidant properties and are known to reduce mortality from stroke and
cardiovascular disease when ingested long-term in low doses.



What else is important besides diet?
Stroke patients may experience slowed motor function due to paralysis and
various complications. Therefore, along with the diet, regular exercise is
necessary to maintain the motor functions. Exercise helps to maintain the
patient’s physical abilities and mental health. There may be those that feel
uncomfortable visiting sports or rehabilitation centers for exercise or
rehabilitation training due to time and distance constraints. Neofect Smart
Solution enables you to undergo rehabilitation training whenever you want at
home. If you want to learn more about www.neofect.com
[https://www.neofect.com/us], please visit our website.


---*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]