Diabetes and stroke share a relationship and it's not a healthy one. A stroke is a medical condition that occurs due to a blockage in a blood vessel or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. Research shows people with high blood sugar levels are at increased risk of developing stroke. Let us understand how diabetes can affect brain health!

The link between diabetes and stroke

Diabetes is an important risk factor for stroke because:

• Apparently, uncontrolled diabetes increases inflammation in the body, which damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of stroke.
• Over time, the persistent damage also leads to the deposition of plaques in the artery walls, making the blood vessels narrow. This blocks blood and oxygen flow to the brain, ultimately leading to a stroke.
• In the majority of cases, diabetic people also suffer from other co-morbid conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and obesity, which further increase their risk of stroke.

Symptoms and outcome of stroke in diabetics

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Following a stroke, the ability of a diabetic person to carry out daily activities may reduce significantly. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure that your blood sugar levels are within the optimal range. Meanwhile, the most common signs of a stroke one should look out for include:

• Face drooping
• Sudden weakness and numbness in limbs
• Sudden changes in vision
• Confusion
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Slurring of speech
• Sudden headache accompanied by vomiting or dizziness

Management of stroke in diabetics

To protect yourself from stroke, or to prevent its recurrence, it's crucial to take care of your blood sugar levels and other related risk factors. To do so:

• Monitor your blood sugar levels and ensure that it remains below 140 mg/dL.
• Monitor your hypertension and cholesterol levels frequently. Consult a doctor in case of any significant imbalance.
• Maintain a healthy weight by practising any medium-intensity exercise like brisk walking, cycling, and swimming.
• Limit alcohol intake to not more than 1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men every day.
• Quit smoking.
• Regularly consult your doctor and take medications as prescribed.

FAQs

1. What are the common symptoms of stroke in diabetics?

The symptoms of stroke in diabetics include dizziness, sudden headache, loss of vision, and severe weakness in the body, particularly on one side.

2. How can I lower my risk of stroke due to diabetes?

By controlling your sugar levels and managing other risk factors like maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, you can reduce your risk of stroke.

3. Can stroke occur in young diabetic patients?

Young diabetics are more likely to experience a stroke than non-diabetics.

4. Is being obese a risk factor for stroke?

Yes, obesity along with high BP and high cholesterol levels is a risk factor for stroke.

5. Are diabetic women more susceptible to stroke?

Compared to men, women are at higher risk of experiencing a stroke.

Diabetics may experience a stroke at a younger age and with potentially more severe results. However, with a healthy lifestyle and an active treatment plan, you can effectively prevent the occurrence or recurrence of stroke in diabetes. If you are a diabetic and are worried about your risk of stroke,

Consult An Apollo Diabetologist

You can also try the Apollo 24|7 Diabetes Self-Management Tool to log your sugar values, track patterns, know all about food nutrition and more.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.