Jun 29, 2009, 3:08 GMT
Berlin - Weakness on one side of the body or numbness in an arm or leg are possible signs that a stroke has taken place, according to Germany's Neurology Society in Berlin.
'The sudden appearance of a problem with vision or speech can also be a warning sign of a life-threatening stroke. If these symptoms appear, you should seek neurological treatment immediately,' says the society's spokesman, Professor Hans-Christoph Diener.
The best place to receive treatment in situations like those is in a specialised stroke unit. 'In an emergency - especially if there is a suspicion a stroke has occurred - you should always call the emergency services,' says Diener, who is also the director of the neurology clinic in Essen in western Germany.
'Travelling to a stroke unit makes sense up to a transportation time of 90 minutes,' he says. But if the patient is in a very bad state, is unconscious or requires artificial respiration they should be taken to the nearest hospital.
'Regular exercise such as swimming three times a week, jogging or cycling can help reduce the risk of having a stroke,' says Professor Martin Grond, president of Germany's Stroke Society.
'A balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, low-fat meat and fish as well as quitting smoking and low alcohol intake can also prevent the blockage of arteries and will also reduce the chance of experiencing a stroke.'
A stroke is a very serious condition that leads to a sudden reduction of blood supply to the brain. The chance of having a stroke increases if the body's blood vessels have been damaged through high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels or diabetes.
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