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Five Facts about Stroke for the Caregiver

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If your loved one has suffered a stroke, there's no doubt that you're going through a very difficult and frightening time. The National Stroke Association tells us that over 750,000 people in America each year suffer a first or recurrent stroke, and one in 55 Americans are living with the effects of a stroke. If you are caring for someone who has recently had a stroke, here are five facts that you need to know: 1.It's All in the Head Many people are confused when it comes to exactly what a stroke is. To understand stroke, think of it as a sort of "brain attack." When a blood clot interrupts the blood flow to an area of the brain, a stroke results. During a stroke, brain cells can die due to a lack of oxygen. As brain cells die, the abilities that are controlled by that particular area of the brain become impaired. Typically, these abilities include memory, speech and movement. 2.Effects on the Survivor Because not every person is the same, every stroke i

5 Reasons You Need Your Sleep, and 5 Reasons You May Not Be Getting It

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Fall bustles with the start of school and the continual grind at work. It's easy to skimp on your rest. We've got five reasons for you to make sleep a priority, and five health issues that could be ruining your rest. Plenty of R&R (rest and relaxation) can boost your mood, focus and energy. Conversely, people with poor sleep habits experience higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety. Want your kids to get A's and B's? Make sure they catch their Z's. Well-rested equals alert in the classroom, and a regular sleep routine may boost math and literacy scores. Some schools are even starting later in an effort to help kids improve learning. Reap the benefits of beauty sleep. When the body is sleep-deprived it produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can cause weight gain and oily skin. Getting your eight hours in could cut your risk for chest pain, heart attack and stroke. A recent study by West Virginia University indicates that people who sle

Eating more Fruits and Vegetables

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It's almost June, which means you have a little more than six months to finally complete that New Year's weight loss resolution. Now a study offers two simple changes that may help you reach your goal: Stop sitting in front of the television and start eating more fruits and vegetables. While these health tips might seem obvious, it's their long-term sustainability that has scientists praising their virtues. According to the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine study published in the May 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, by making these adjustments you'll be more likely to maintain these habits to lead a healthier lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle tied to diabetes, heart disease, premature death: Is TV to blame? Sitting too much may double your risk of dying, study shows "Just making two lifestyle changes has a big overall effect and people don't get overwhelmed," Dr. Bonnie Spring, a professor of preventive medicine at Northwest