This one hour, CPD Accredited webinar by Sally Duffin will take place at 3.00pm on Wednesday 15th February 2012 for ONLY £10.
Strokes: defined as a group of conditions involving death of brain tissue resulting from disruption of the blood supply.
Estimated to be 150,000 strokes per year in UK, 3rd most common cause of death after heart disease and cancer.
Of the 150,000 sufferers, 1/3 die within 10 days, 1/3 recover within 1 month and 1/3 are left disabled and requiring rehabilitation.
2 categories of stroke:
• Ischaemic – most common, affecting 85% of sufferers, caused by a blockage in the blood supply from either a thrombus or an embolism. In a thrombotic stroke an atheromatous plaque within an artery ruptures causing platelets to aggregate around it, blocking blood flow. In an embolic stroke a plaque is dislodged from a blood vessel in another part of the body, travels to the brain and blocks an artery.
• Haemorrhagic – less common, affecting 15% of sufferers, caused by bleeding in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. In an intracranial stroke a vessel in the brain ruptures; this can be a very small blood vessel but if it is deep in the brain tissue the effects can be devastating because brain tissue there is very densely functional. Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage results from a ruptured blood vessel in the sub-arachnoid space in the meninges around the brain. Haemorrhagic strokes most commonly caused by hypertension or head trauma.
TIA’s classed as ‘mini-strokes’ lasting for a few minutes or hours.
Strokes usually occur without warning though there may be preceding headache especially with the haemorrhagic type. The symptoms can be acute or develop over a few hours.
Effects of stroke: Symptoms vary according to which part of the brain is damaged. Each patient is unique as no two brains function in exactly the same way. Symptoms of stroke include loss of speech or blurred speech, loss of movement and co-ordination, blurred vision, numbness, loss of pain and temperature sensation, headache, vomiting, dysphagia (inability to swallow), nystagmus (rapid involuntary eye movements) unconsciousness.
Conventional treatments: Vary according to medical history and other current conditions. Treatments include:
• Anti-platelet drugs – aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole
• Anti-coagulant drugs – warfarin, heparin
• Statins
• ACE inhibitors
• Fibrinolytic drugs
Risk factors: Primary risk factor is hypertension. Other factors include old age, smoking (increases risk of stroke by 50%), obesity and Metabolic Syndrome X, use of oral contraceptives especially in conjunction with smoking; pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, especially atrial fibrillation.
Naturopathic interpretation of risk factors:
Stroke can be seen as the end result of calcium and cholesterol mishandling by the body. For thrombi to develop there must be deposition of calcium and cholesterol in blood vessels or damage to the vessel walls caused by calcification and high blood pressure.
Overall mineral imbalance – magnesium deficiency allowing calcium to be deposited in soft tissues. Sodium/potassium imbalance contributing to magnesium deficiency.
Overconsumption of calcium in relation to magnesium in modern diet; estimated 970mg per day of calcium in average British diet (800mg is the RDA) compared to 267mg of magnesium (375mg RDA). Overuse of inorganic calcium both as supplements and antacids. Antacids neutralise stomach acid, inhibiting efficient digestion and perpetuating mineral imbalance.
Cholesterol mishandling due to high animal produce/low vegetable and fibre content in diet and low levels of digestive enzymes and beneficial gut bacteria.
Poor bowel health – conditions such as IBS indicative of gut dysbiosis, beneficial flora contribute towards cholesterol balance by breaking down bile ready for elimination via soluble fibre in stool.
Stress and insulin regulation play key roles; stress increases bodily demands for nutrients such as magnesium, B-vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and chromium. Poor blood sugar balance contributes to mineral imbalance and skewed insulin response. High levels of circulating insulin and insulin resistance contributes towards arteriosclerosis, increases triglyceride production in the liver and inhibits formation of HDL cholesterol.
Chronic dehydration; water required for maintaining correct level of blood viscosity, keeping cholesterol in solution, hydrating bowel.
Nutritional approaches to strokes: Can be used for patients at risk of stroke (inherited risk or may have conditions increasing the likelihood of stroke such as heart disease or diabetes) and those wishing to prevent another stroke occurring.
Address calcium mishandling; look at dietary intake, use of supplements and antacids.
Increasing intake of magnesium and potassium and reducing sodium intake.
Organic mineral supplements versus inorganic. Ratio of magnesium to calcium in supplements.
Bowel health – links to nutrient absorption and cholesterol handling.
Essential fats; omega-3 fish oils associated with a reduced risk of thrombotic stroke via their beneficial effects on platelet aggregation, inflammation, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Anti-platelet aggregation function means they may be contraindicated with aspirin however fish oils may be taken alongside warfarin (patient must inform warfarin clinic).
Ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in modern diet.
Cooking oils; using olive oil and coconut oil preferably due to stability at higher temperatures.
Antioxidant nutrients; vitamins A, C & E; zinc, selenium, bioflavonoids. Required for structural integrity of blood vessels, cell repair and protection, increasing HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol; lipid protection, blood sugar balance.
Chromium for blood sugar balance and cholesterol balance.
Co-enzyme Q10 for mitochondrial function and antioxidant protection.
Hydration.
Alkalising foods to reduce overall acidity and inflammation in the system.
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