When blood supply to the brain is interrupted, a person suffers a stroke. The brain cells do not receive the oxygen and glucose needed to survive and so they die. A stroke can be fatal and life-threatening. The brain can be permanently damaged. Many surveys reveal that 50% of people who suffer a stroke do not live for more than a year. A stroke usually happens to people aged 65 years or above.

How does a stroke occur?

There are two types of stroke caused by two different reasons-

1. Ischemic stroke: Clots are formed in the brain s blood vessels or in the vessels in any part of the body which travel to the brain. These clots obstruct the flow of blood to the brain. The chief reason for the development of clots is deposition of fatty acids and cholesterol.

2. Hemorrhagic stroke: This kind of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. The blood from the ruptured vein flows into the brain and damages the brain cells. The chief cause of hemorrhagic strokes is high blood pressure and aneurysm (thinning of the walls of the vein)

What are the symptoms of stroke:

The following are the usual symptoms that can tell you if are about to or just have suffered a stroke-

  The arms or legs on either side or the face feels numb
  Loss of vision in one or both eyes
  Difficulty of speech
  Sudden and splitting headache
  Disorientation and feeling unbalanced while walking
  Altered consciousness

Risk of strokes:

High blood pressure is the most common cause of strokes. If your blood pressure exceeds 140/90 you are at a risk of suffering a stroke. Diabetes or people with a family history of strokes have higher chances of suffering a stroke. More men suffer a stroke than women. Certain lifestyle choices like excessive smoking or alcohol consumption can actually increase the risk of strokes.

Ayurveda and the treatment of stroke

In the ayurvedic parlance, stroke is called paksha pakshaghata. The cause is Vata dosha (Vata is responsible for the sensory and motor activities of the body)

Ayurveda treats strokes by easing or relieving the symptoms or effects of a stroke. The most popular course of treatment consists of a combination of Basti, Nasya and Shirodhara-

  In Basti, a person goes through an enema to cleanse the body of internal toxins
  Nasya aims to clear the sinuses, nose and head.
  For a Shirodhara treatment, a person has to lie on her/his back and liquids mixed with medicins are poured down her/his forehead which the bloodstream absorbs through the skin.
  Dhanadanayanadi Kashayam, Dhanwantara Kashayam, Ashtavarga Kashayam, Bala Arista treatment restore the motor and sensory functions of the brain.
  Balaswagandhadi taila,Ksheerabala taila, Dhanvantara taila help rejuvenate the damaged brain cells.
  Some other forms of treatment include Ashwagandharishtaa, Brahmi Vati and Ashwagandhachurna.
  An effective home remedy is boiling 3-4 garlic cloves in 100ml of milk. Keep boiling till the mixture is reduced to half its original volume. This concoction should be taken right before going to bed. It helps to keep blood pressure and cholesterol under check.

After the treatment is completed, a person can expect relief from the symptoms of stroke.

Ayurveda can treat the effects of stroke efficiently with a combination of physical therapies and medication.

Stroke And Ayurveda!

Foods that cleanse the arteries naturally
 
Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen to various parts of the body. Proper functioning of the arteries is directly related to well functioning organs as without oxygen, no organ can work well. There are many reasons due to which blockages and waste materials are stuck in these blood vessels. It is essential to clean them on regular basis, there are several food items available easily that cleanse the arteries naturally!

1. Tea- green tea is known popularly as an antioxidant that keeps your health and weight in check. But it is also a very strong cleanser of your arteries as well. Black tea too, one that has flavonoids in good proportions is also considered as an excellent cleanser of the artery.
2. Sesame seeds- sesame seeds have natural cardioprotective substances that are not only good for the artery but are very beneficial for absolute heart health. Sesame is majorly known for preventing the occurrence of atherosclerosis. Apart from that, sesame helps in cleaning all blood vessels.
3. Turmeric- any blockage or damage to the artery is immediately addressed by the turmeric that we consume regularly. It cures the damages almost immediately, preventing any aggravation or infection. Including turmeric in good proportions in daily diet is considered as a complete option to tackle any problems to the arteries.
4. Fruits- fruits are extremely beneficial both for the cardiovascular and blood health. Fibrous fruits especially are related to the arteries. Researchers suggest that having fibrous fruits first up in the morning, on an empty stomach ensures that all the arteries are cleaned and its functions are proceeding in the right manner.
5. Olive oil- fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 present in olive oil are excellent plaque removers. Consuming olive oil increases the omega substances in the body, so when something is about to harm the artery, they intervene and cleanse it completely.


Foods That Cleanse The Arteries Naturally

Be it burgers, bagels, muffins, sandwiches or simple toasts, bread has made headway into the diets of a huge portion of the populace. Although a staple diet for many since time immemorial, the consumption of bread has increased extensively in the recent past. But, which type of bread should we intake to incur the best health impacts is a question that bothers many. The general assumption is that the wholegrain variety is the best alternative. However, the barrage of marketing tactics makes it impossible to distinguish the best variety from the others. 

There are a whole lot of myths surrounding the best variety of bread and you must choose wisely before settling for one particular type. It is expedient to look beyond the overt appearance or the name of the bread, one needs to be wary of the ingredient before taking a call.

Mostly, white bread is made out of refined flour which is often striped off essential nutrients and fibers. To worsen the situation, white bread is often bleached with certain chemicals to enhance its appearance.
Certain assumptions deem brown bread as the healthier option. Unfortunately, it isn't true always. More often than not, brown bread is simply white bread with artificial coloring added to it or is caramelized. They essentially add no surplus nutritional value.

Similarly, multigrain bread can often mislead the consumers about its health impacts. Unlike whole wheat bread, multigrain breads are usually chemically treated with softened grains. This does not effectively recover the lost nutrients of the bread.

Whole wheat bread has more pronounced health benefits. It contains more wheat germ and fibers in comparison to the more processed varieties of bread. Having evaded the toxic additives, it has relatively healthier effects on our blood sugar levels.

As you realize that the bread that you eat does not necessarily affect your health favorably, wisdom lies in seeking out the least harmful variety. In that context, rye bread or spelt bread contains greater amount of minerals. Besides, bread made from barley, oats and millets have greater mineral content than the commercially hybridized varieties and promote better health.

Brown Bread Vs White Bread Vs Whole Grain?

Read to know why choosing diet drinks over regular beverages is not good for your health. The diet contains aspartame which is reportedly 200 times sweeter than table sugar. It adversely effects the brain, increases belly fat, headache, abdominal pain etc. 

Diet Drinks vs. Regular Beverages: Which is Worse For Your Health?

Healthy living is the key to a happy life, there are plenty of ways to lead a healthy life. An effective one is to include kidney beans as a part of your diet because as per Ayurveda, legumes should be part of almost every meal of the day as they are a rich source of protein. Kidney beans as you must be aware is a type of bean that gets its name from its shape, which is like a kidney. These are readily found throughout the year both in dry as well as in canned form.

What health benefits do they offer?
With the help of the kidney beans, you can prepare many delicious dishes which you can enjoy and at the same time enjoy the health benefits as well. Kidney beans offer a lot of health benefits which are being discussed below.

Excellent source of fiber: Kidney beans are an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Most importantly, the fiber present in the kidney beans helps in the lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood. According to Ayurveda, kidney beans are extremely helpful in the prevention of many disorders of the digestive system. It helps in keeping the digestive system absolutely clean and free of problems. In addition to this, the fiber content in kidney beans is extremely good for patients suffering from diabetes since it can keep the blood sugar under control.
Good source of energy: Kidney beans help in the replenishment of iron in the body which is the integral component of hemoglobin in the blood. The iron is the key enzyme for the production of energy and metabolism in the body. Thus, kidney beans are an excellent source of energy. Moreover, kidney beans also promote the slow burning of the complex carbohydrates thereby providing energy to the body while stabilizing the level of sugar in the blood. These beans are also a good source of the trace mineral manganese which acts as the vital cofactor in energy production in the body.
Good for heart and memory: Kidney beans contain significant amount magnesium and folate which helps in the lowering of homocysteine which reduces the risk of heart attack, peripheral vascular disease or stroke. The rich supply of magnesium in the kidney beans provide great benefits to our cardiovascular system. These beans are also rich in vitamin B1 or Thiamine which are extremely good for the brain cells and cognitive function.
Since kidney beans provide numerous such benefits, you can make it a part of your diet. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Kidney Beans (Rajmah) - Are They Good For Your Health?

A heart attack can wreak havoc, throwing a person's life completely off balance. The condition, also known as Myocardial Infarction, often catches a person unawares. As per a survey, close to 7.35 lakhs people (both men and women) suffer from a cardiac arrest and associated disorders in the US every year. Early diagnosis and preventive measures can make a world of difference. Unfortunately, many people ignore or tend to miss out on the early symptoms characteristic of a heart attack.

A heart attack can be very much averted. All you need to do is, listen to your body and pay attention to the following warning signs. Act before it is too late.

Indigestion, nausea: Nausea, vomiting or indigestion is important, yet most commonly ignored early symptoms of a heart attack. More common in women than their male counterparts, the symptoms are often mistaken for over exhaustion or stomach upset. Nausea, in particular, can be triggered by many conditions and hence the negligence. A person may also complain of stomach ache or heart burns.Though the symptoms may appear to be nothing serious, seeking an immediate medical assistance will not hurt either. A little alertness will only help you in the long run.
Pain and discomfort in the chest: This is a warning that should be taken seriously by all means. The symptom can be an indication of a condition as serious as a blocked artery, an important trigger for a heart attack.
Dizziness: Seldom will you find people losing their sleep over something as common as dizziness. While the lack of a sound sleep can make a person feel dizzy and light headed, the symptom (often accompanied by chest pain) could also be an outcome of a low BP (triggered by improper functioning of the heart). Look for the symptoms carefully and act accordingly.
Sharp pain episodes: Many people experience a sharp pain that originates in the chest and gradually spreads outward towards the arms. The symptom is a clear indication of a heart problem, ignoring which will only spell doom. Sometimes the pain can also spread to the jaw or the throat.The symptom is a strong warning that your heart needs immediate care and attention.
Sudden and unexplained sweating: Sweating due to hot and scorching summer is understood but unexplained sweating can be dangerous.
Over exhaustion: If small or regular chores that you could do in the wink of an eye are suddenly leaving you tired and exhausted (climbing the stairs for instance), it is time for you to consult a doctor.
Irregular heartbeat: The irregular beating of the heart can also be an indication of a heart problem.
Swollen feet: A heart problem can interfere with the ability of the heart to pump blood. As a result, the affected person may have swollen feet, ankles, and legs.
Cough: A cough that lingers for long (often accompanied with a pink mucus) is an important indication of a damaged or diseased heart.

Heart Attack - Did You Know Your Body Starts Giving You Signs A Month Before?

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