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Importance of health lifestyle

Importance of health lifestyle
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Nowadays we often hear that people among all age groups, especially above 40 years of age get to suffer from sudden stroke. Stroke which is a medical emergency has become so rampant in the country that every 40 seconds, someone somewhere suffers a stroke, and every four minutes, someone loses his life to it.

Stroke is emerging as a challenge for health workers who feel that the condition is claiming lot of lives and leaving others to face long term disability.

With stroke remaining one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability, an active lifestyle is not only a preventive tool but also an aid to recovery, empowering people to push beyond the limitations of stroke.

By bringing attention to the benefits of physical activity in managing stroke risk and supporting recovery, individuals, families, and communities need to be encouraged to come together to address stroke proactively.

Notably, a stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked, either by a clot in the case of an ischemic stroke or by a ruptured blood vessel, causing a hemorrhagic stroke. This interruption deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death within minutes.

As stroke attacks brain tissue, it can result in physical disabilities, speech and memory problems, and other long-lasting effects. The severity depends on the extent and location of brain damage, but timely intervention is crucial in reducing the chances of severe disability or death.

Stroke is often preventable and that lifestyle choices play a major role in reducing one’s risk. According to the American Heart Association, physical activity can lower the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity—all major contributors to stroke risk. Regular activity improves cardiovascular health by enhancing blood flow, lowering inflammation, and improving the function of blood vessels.

For those seeking to prevent stroke, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week can significantly reduce risk. Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing are not only enjoyable but effective in keeping the body active.

Strengthening the heart and maintaining a healthy weight have shown to be crucial factors in lowering stroke risk. But beyond these well-known benefits, sports and physical activities provide a sense of community, accountability, and motivation, helping people make physical activity a sustainable part of their lives.

Physical activities including exercise, is not only preventive but a rehabilitative tool as well. For stroke survivors, engaging in movement aids in the process of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Physical activity helps survivors regain mobility, strength, and confidence. Rehabilitation through exercise enhances brain function by improving blood flow to affected areas, encouraging new pathways to form and aiding the recovery of skills lost to stroke.

We in Kashmir have the habit of adopting sedentary lifestyles which has made our health difficult to manage. However, over the past few years people have started to realise the importance of physical activities and as a result many people here have started to adopt physical activities as a regular part of their daily schedule.

The move is not only encouraging but should also be supported by the government so that people adopt to a healthy lifestyle in the region and conditions like stroke and other related ailments are kept at bay.

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