Stroke

Naturopathic Doctors at the Nardella Clinic in Calgary use therapies that specifically promote the healing and enhance the functioning of the neurological system in helping patients recover from a stroke.

A stroke is the sudden onset of a neurological deficit characterized by weakness or paralysis that is caused when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.  The interruption of blood flow stops the delivery of oxygen and nutrients, and prevents the carbon dioxide and cellular wastes to exit the brain.  If the brain is deprived of these critical elements for a few minutes then the brain tissue dies.  Strokes are either ischemic or hemorrhagic.  In an ischemic stroke blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to a blood clot or, more rarely, spasm of the cerebral arteries.  In atherosclerosis a fatty deposit lines the vessel wall.  This fatty deposit can form at the site of the stroke called a thrombotic stroke.  Where as and embolic stroke happens when a clot forms outside the brain (often from the heart) and travels to the brain then lodges itself in an artery in the brain.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when weakened blood vessel in the brain rupture and bleeding occurs.  Without proper outflow the blood accumulates and puts excessive pressure on brain tissue.  Hemorragic strokes are often due to an aneurysm (weakened blood vessel that ruptures) or an arteriovenous malformation (cluster of abnormally formed blood vessels).  Approximately, ninety percent of strokes are ischemic and ten percent are hemorrhagic.

Warning signs of a stroke can include sudden weakness or numbness in one arm or side of the face, sudden speech or cognition problems, sudden change in vision, nausea, vomiting and sudden severe headaches.  If these symptoms occur it is important to call 911 immediately.

Various risk factors for strokes include aging, alcohol abuse, smoking, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity, inactivity, diets high in saturated and trans fats, prior strokes/TIA and family history.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death, and strokes are the most common cause of long-term disability with fourty percent of stroke survivors left severly disabled.  Complications of a stroke can be neurological or systemic complications.  Neurological issues that can arise following stroke include spasticity, epilepsy, motor deficits, pain syndrome and neurological disturbances.  The stroke patient may experience psychological manifestations such as memory issues and dementia.

Nardella Clinic naturopaths in Calgary have critical tools to help patients recover from stroke.