Rising stroke cases in Nigeria worry expert

A university don and an expert in stroke management, Professor Arthur Onwuchekwa, has expressed worry over the increasing cases of hypertension and stroke in the country.
Onwuchekwa explained that though, the cause of hypertension was preventable, the lifestyle of some Nigerians was making stroke difficult to conquer.
The expert, who is a lecturer in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Science, University of Port Harcourt, spoke while delivering a lecture titled, ‘Stroke: A Preventable Disaster Waiting to Happen’ at the 135th Inaugural Lecture of the university,
He identified excessive alcohol intake, too much consumption of salt and poor diet as some of the reasons why people suffered stroke, even as he expressed the need for a healthy life style, including regular exercise among Nigerians.
“The prevalence of stroke is high in Nigeria and no age race or class is speared. There are medical conditions that can be controlled in order to reduce stroke.
Hypertension is the commonest cause of stroke. If we reduce hypertension by 10 percent, the mass effect in reduction of stroke will be gladdening.
“Some kind of lifestyle like excessive intake of salt and alcohol can cause hypertension. Salt and alcohol damage the blood vessels and cell.
“If you don’t engage in physical exercise, it is also dangerous. Even poor diet can lead to stroke. If somebody does not control his diabetes he would be prone to stroke.

Foods that can reduce high blood Presure

Carrot
Carrots are high in potassium and beta-carotene which have been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure that can lead to heart disease. Carrot juice helps maintain normal blood pressure by regulating heart and kidney functions.

 Avocados
The oleic acid found in avocados can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They also contain potassium and folate, which both essential for heart health.

 Cabbage
Cabbage is high in a chemical compound called glutamic acid, which help in reducing blood pressure. Glutamic acid is the most common amino acid and accounts for almost a quarter of vegetable protein and nearly a fifth of animal protein.

Garlic
Eating one of clove of garlic a day was found have beneficial effects on controlling hypertension. In a study observed, people with high blood pressure who were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels are significantly reduced.

 Onion
Like garlic, onions are also useful in managing hypertension. The sulfur-containing compounds in onions have been shown to reduce high blood pressure. It is not surprising because onion is a cousin of garlic.

 Potatoes
The health benefits of potatoes are often overlooked because it is usually served in unhealthy ways, such as French fries, or potato chips. But in fact, potatoes are an excellent source of fiber and potassium which have been proven to reduce blood pressure.

Green tea
Many evidence have showed that Green Tea can help reduce high blood pressure risk. A study conducted in Taiwan found that people who drank at least 20 ounces (600 ml.) of green tea daily for at least one year had 65% lower risk of high blood pressure than those who do not.

Is there an early warning test for stroke?

Strokes seem to come out of the blue. But most of them happen due to decades-long damage to blood vessels and growth of artery-clogging plaque. That raises the question: Is there an early warning test for stroke?

Yes and no. A test called the carotid ultrasound can detect the buildup of cholesterol-filled plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck. These arteries deliver blood to the brain. The test, which uses sound waves, is quick, safe, and without any immediate potential for harm. It makes perfect sense for someone experiencing lightheadedness, memory loss, or the warning signs of a stroke or mini-stroke.

Having a carotid ultrasound test also makes sense for anyone in whom a doctor hears an abnormal sound called a bruit (BREW-ee) as he or she listens to the carotid arteries through a stethoscope. The scan is also a reasonable idea when a person has known risk factors for stroke, such as a previous "mini-stroke," high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. But a carotid ultrasound isn't a good idea for otherwise healthy people at average risk for stroke.

For most people, a better approach would be to pay attention to fighting things that cause or contribute to the formation and growth of cholesterol-filled plaque — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, not enough exercise, smoking, and the like. Getting those risk factors under control will go a long way to preventing stroke.

Health Benefits Of Onions

 

Never mind the tears they bring on–onions are an ace ally in your fight against disease. A prized member of the lily family, onions lavish you with health benefits while adding oodles of taste to your food. Not to mention you can buy a bundle from the markets or store for a little amount of money.

Here’s a quick glimpse at their incredible health benefits:

1. The phytochemicals in onions along with their vitamin C help improve immunity.

2. Onions contain chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar.


3. For centuries, onions have been used to reduce inflammation and heal infections.

4.Do you enjoy sliced onions with your food? If yes, rejoice! Raw onion lowers the production of bad cholesterol (LDL), thus keeping your heart healthy.

5. A powerful compound called quercetin in onions is known to play a significant role in preventing cancer.

6 Got stung by a honeybee? Apply onion juice on the area for immediate relief from the pain and burning sensation.

7. Onions scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing your risk of developing gastric ulcers.
Those bright green tops of green onions are rich in Vitamin A, so do use them often.

Which type of onions are the healthiest? Researchers from Cornell studied 11 onion varieties, and found that shallots and Western yellow onions were the healthiest for their phenolic and flavonoid content.