In the medical field, obesity is viewed as a negative thing. It increases your likelihood of many different diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. However, a recent study indicated that carrying extra weight may actually help when someone suffers from a stroke.
The study, conducted by the Boston University Medical Center, revealed that people who are overweight or mildly obese have higher survival rates when they suffer a stroke than individuals who have a normal body weight. Their results were recently published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
To be clear, there is a lot of research that is still needed to verify this claim. Also, it needs to be fully understood that being overweight or obese also increases your likelihood of suffering from a stroke in the first place. In this light, and when considering all of the other health factors that being overweight can cause, it is far better to keep your weight within a healthy range than to have extra weight on. However, if this study is correct in its findings, weight may act as a shield for some when considering the immediate danger that a stroke may cause. In some cases, this can be a good thing. But certainly not in every case. It is better to be healthy as a preventative measure.
Stroke is the number five killer in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of disability within the elderly population. Statistics say that about 185,000 die each year in the U.S. because of stroke. It is hard to say how many people end up needing long term care as a direct result of a stroke, but the number is likely more than double this.
If you have a loved one that has suffered from a stroke, you are probably wondering what care choices are going to be best for your loved one and the rest of your family. This will vary based upon their needs, but many stroke patients thrive under an in-home care model because this allows them to stay within their own familiar home. This is a familiar setting, and it helps to reduce emotional stress. As long as all of their physical needs are met, physical therapy is readily available, and proper supervision is in place, in-home care can be a very cost effective choice. It’s not right for everyone who has had a stroke, but it is right for many. If you are unsure whether this care will be the most beneficial to your mom or dad, be sure to speak to a physician that is familiar with their needs.
As you can see, doctors are still learning more about the best way to help someone who has suffered a stroke and to help bring about the best recovery possible. Understanding the role that weight plays in the recovery process is an important part of this, and hopefully this new information will help doctors to better help the people that need it the most.
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