Napping Time, Dietary Habits, and Lack of Exercise: The "Three Big Mountains" of Stroke?

Napping Time, Dietary Habits, and Lack of Exercise: The "Three Big Mountains" of Stroke?"Your symptoms of weakness and numbness in your hands and feet need to be checked thoroughly. It could be a sign of a stroke," the doctor's words hit Li Ge like a bolt from the blue

Napping Time, Dietary Habits, and Lack of Exercise: The "Three Big Mountains" of Stroke?

"Your symptoms of weakness and numbness in your hands and feet need to be checked thoroughly. It could be a sign of a stroke," the doctor's words hit Li Ge like a bolt from the blue. Recently, he had been feeling weakness and numbness in his limbs, so he decided to get checked at the hospital. The results were shocking: his blood lipid levels were abnormal, and he had a high risk of stroke!

Li Ge is 52 years old and a retired miner from Shanxi province. He has always been health-conscious and maintains a daily nap routine. However, this seemingly healthy habit turned out to be one of the culprits behind his risk of stroke. The doctor explained that excessive napping can affect blood circulation and increase the risk of stroke.

"I always thought napping was a healthy habit. I didn't know that it could be a problem if it's too long," Li Ge asked incredulously. The doctor patiently explained, "Studies have shown that excessive napping can slow down blood circulation in the body, increasing the risk of stroke. The optimal nap time should be controlled within 20-30 minutes. Longer naps can slow down blood circulation, increasing the likelihood of blood clot formation."

Li Ge often naps for more than an hour, undoubtedly increasing his risk of stroke. The doctor also shared a real-life case: Uncle Zhang, 55 years old, enjoys taking naps and always sleeps for more than an hour each time. One day, he suddenly felt dizzy after a nap and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a stroke. The doctor explained that prolonged napping caused Uncle Zhang's blood circulation to slow down, increasing the risk of blood clot formation.

Besides excessive napping, Li Ge's dietary habits also pose a huge risk. The doctor pointed out seriously, "You need to change your eating habits. Youre consuming too many high-salt and high-fat foods!" Li Ge loved eating fried foods and preserved vegetables, considering them tasty, completely unaware of the harm they were causing to his health.

High-salt and high-fat diets can lead to high blood lipid levels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis narrows blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of blood clot formation, consequently increasing the risk of stroke. Li Ge's abnormal blood lipid levels are largely attributed to his long-term unhealthy eating habits.

The doctor then shared another real-life case: Uncle Liu, 60 years old, particularly enjoys eating cured meat and various fried foods, resulting in persistently high blood lipid levels. One day, he had a stroke and was admitted to the hospital. Doctors discovered that his blood vessels were severely hardened, ultimately diagnosing him with a stroke. The doctor warned Uncle Liu that he must change his eating habits, otherwise, he would face greater risks.

"Your lack of exercise is also a contributing factor to stroke," the doctor continued. Li Ge doesn't enjoy exercise and always feels that he should rest after retirement. This lazy habit has become a health killer for him. Lack of exercise can lead to poor blood circulation, increasing the risk of blood clot formation. Moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, and swimming, helps promote blood circulation and reduce the risk of stroke. Li Ge spends too much time sitting and lacks necessary exercise, which is also a contributing factor to his stroke.

The doctor mentioned another case: Old man Wang, 65 years old, always felt that he should rest after retirement and spent his days lying down except for mealtimes. One day, he suddenly felt dizzy and was eventually diagnosed with a stroke. The doctor pointed out that Old man Wang's long-term lack of exercise led to poor blood circulation, resulting in blood clot formation.

After listening to the doctor's explanation, Li Ge was shocked. He realized that some of his daily habits might be the cause of his health problems. The doctor's words made him understand the importance of maintaining health, and he decided to follow the doctor's advice, change his lifestyle, avoid harmful behaviors, and prevent further health issues.

However, Li Ge still had a question: "Since these habits have an impact on stroke, how should I maintain healthy habits in daily life to further prevent stroke?" In response to Li Ge's question, the doctor provided a detailed answer.

How to Prevent Stroke?

1. Maintain a Reasonable Napping Time:

Nap time should be controlled within 20-30 minutes, avoiding excessive nap times that affect blood circulation. Short naps can help restore energy and improve afternoon work efficiency, while longer naps increase the risk of stroke.

2. Maintain Healthy Eating Habits:

• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, ingest adequate protein and fiber, and avoid consuming high-salt and high-fat foods.

• Maintain a balanced diet, control total calorie intake, and avoid obesity.

• Reduce the consumption of fried foods and pickled foods, and choose healthier cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, and stewing.

3. Maintain Moderate Exercise:

• Engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily, such as walking, jogging, and swimming, which can help enhance cardiovascular function, promote blood circulation, and reduce the risk of stroke.

• Exercise not only improves physical health but also enhances mental well-being and reduces stress.

4. Pay Attention to Blood Pressure and Blood Lipid Control:

• Regularly measure blood pressure and blood lipid levels and keep them within the normal range.

• Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are among the primary risk factors for stroke. Controlling these two indicators can effectively prevent strokes.

5. Maintain a Positive Mental State:

• Long-term stress and anxiety can increase the risk of stroke.

• You can relax your mind through meditation, yoga, and communication with friends, maintaining a positive mental state.

• Maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, which helps improve immunity and prevent various diseases.

After listening to the doctor's explanation, Li Ge felt enlightened. He decided to follow the doctor's advice, adjust his lifestyle, maintain a reasonable nap time, eat a healthy diet, exercise moderately, pay attention to blood pressure and blood lipid control, maintain a positive mental state, and further prevent stroke, enjoying a healthier life. After all, health is the most valuable asset.

Danger Signs of Stroke:

Besides weakness and numbness in the limbs, the following symptoms may also be early signs of stroke and require immediate attention:

• Sudden Headache: Intense, persistent headache, especially accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and impaired consciousness.

• Slurred Speech: Difficulty speaking, difficulty expressing oneself, and impaired comprehension.

• Weakness in Limbs: Sudden weakness, numbness, or paralysis in one limb, or difficulty walking.

• Facial Numbness: Sudden numbness or paralysis on one side or both sides of the face, with a drooping mouth.

• Vision Impairment: Sudden blurred vision, visual field loss, or double vision.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, call 120 immediately for emergency medical attention!

Conclusion:

Stroke is a major health hazard, but it is not entirely preventable. By adjusting lifestyle habits, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we can effectively reduce the risk of stroke and safeguard our health. Let's work together, starting now, to strive for a healthy life!

Remember, life is precious. Let's cherish our health and enjoy a fulfilling life!

References:

[1] Wang Jun. Rehabilitation training and nursing for hemiplegia and the application effect of quality nursing in patients with cerebral infarction, Chinese Journal of Metallurgy Industry Medicine, 2024-06-04

[2] Chinese Health Education Association. Handbook of Stroke Prevention and Control Health Education. Beijing: Peoples Health Publishing House, 2022.

[3] World Health Organization. Stroke Prevention and Control Guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2020.

This article is for reference only and does not constitute any medical advice. If you have any questions, please consult a professional doctor.

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