Today’s fast paced life and lack of sleep
In today’s fast-paced life, nights are no longer what they used to be. Even after midnight, people are busy staring at their mobile phone screens, checking work emails and scrolling through social media without even thinking about how much time has passed. This has become a common habit, especially among young professionals. Neurologists say such habits not only cause fatigue but can also increase the risk of serious health problems like mini-strokes.
Definition of mini-stroke
Mini-stroke, which is medically called a transient ischemic attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for some time. Its symptoms may subside within a few minutes, but taking it lightly can be a serious mistake. According to the US National Institutes of Health, about 33% of individuals who experience a transient ischemic attack may suffer a stroke later in life, and about half of these cases occur within a year.
Lack of sleep and health problems
Dr. Chandana R. Gowda said that lack of sleep is becoming a major cause of neurological and cardiovascular problems. He says that prolonged lack of sleep increases stress hormone levels, affects blood pressure, increases inflammation and disrupts metabolism. All these factors together can increase the risk of mini-stroke and subsequent stroke.
importance of good sleep
According to experts, good sleep not only relaxes the body but also helps in repairing blood vessels, controlling blood pressure and reducing inflammation. When there is a lack of sleep, these vital body systems are affected. Research by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has also shown that long-term lack of sleep increases the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and heart disease, which are considered the main causes of stroke.
concept of delayed gratification
In recent years, a new term ‘delayed gratification’ has emerged. This means intentionally staying up late after a long day’s work, when the body needs rest. According to Dr. Gowda, using phones late at night, constantly looking at the screen and getting only a few hours of sleep has become a habit of many youth nowadays, which can lead to serious health problems in the future.
Symptoms of mini-stroke
The biggest challenge with mini-stroke is that its symptoms often go unnoticed. Initial symptoms may be sudden weakness or numbness in one part of the body, difficulty speaking, dizziness, blurred vision, face drooping to one side, or confusion for a few minutes. Experts say that any such symptoms should not be ignored and a doctor should be consulted immediately.
