People who sweat a lot are at greater risk of stroke… How can we prevent it?

Summer is a time when sweating becomes more active. People who sweat more than others, even in the same temperature, should be on the lookout for stroke.

 

Excessive sweating reduces body water content, making the blood thicker than usual. This slows blood flow and increases the risk of blood clots, which in turn increases the risk of stroke. A disease that causes brain damage due to blockage or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain is called a stroke. If a blood vessel is blocked, it is called cerebral infarction, and if a blood vessel bursts, it is called cerebral hemorrhage.

 

A study at Gangnam Severance Hospital found that patients with hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by excessive sweating, were at a higher risk of stroke than those without the condition. In the study, those who underwent treatment for hyperhidrosis experienced a lower stroke risk.

Patients with high blood pressure, in particular, are at high risk for stroke, so they should be careful not to sweat excessively. High blood pressure irritates the blood vessel walls as it passes through them. When the accumulated fat in the blood vessel walls triggers an inflammatory response, the walls thicken and harden, impeding smooth blood flow. This increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including cerebral infarction.

 

To prevent stroke in summer, you should drink plenty of water.

Even if you are not thirsty, it is recommended to drink about one cup (200 mL) every 15 minutes.

 

You should avoid consuming foods that promote diuresis, such as salty foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcoholic beverages.

 

If you are elderly, it is safe to check your physical condition, such as blood pressure and blood sugar, regularly.

 

In order to avoid sweating, the indoor air conditioning temperature is sometimes lowered excessively.

This actually increases the risk of developing a stroke.

 

Rapid temperature changes, such as moving between cold indoors and warm outdoors, can cause blood flow to stagnate, which can lead to thrombosis. These thromboses can block blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke. The temperature difference between indoors and outdoors should not exceed 10 degrees Celsius.

 

If a stroke is suspected, you should go to the emergency room immediately.

Opening a blocked blood vessel within three hours of the onset of a stroke can prevent significant brain damage. The longer it takes, the worse the condition becomes.

 

Typical symptoms include ▲dizziness ▲severe headache ▲loss of balance ▲numbness or paralysis of one arm or leg ▲slurred speech ▲double vision ▲aphasia ▲visual field defects ▲dysphagia ▲decrease in consciousness. If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, ask them to ▲smile ▲close their eyes and 'hold their arms out in front of them' ▲say 'is that a shelled or unshelled bean?' If they are unable to do even one of these three correctly, they should visit a hospital immediately.