Your Papa -

Papa & Mama

Papa

All of us togather

Mama, Papa, Tiger the dog, ad Papa's boat

You and I in Davao City 4-2012

Dear Terry,

I'm sorry to hear the news of Papa having a stroke. This is sad news. I'm sorry. I love you and your family and I hope that the info below may help in some way.

As you know I'm all about solutions for problems. So here are a few links to understand what a stroke is, how to prevent, what to eat, and to avoid another stroke.

Love always,

Chris

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVWJ3GT7k9U

Reading Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke

Reading Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001740/

Reading Link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150

* From www.livestrong.com / http://www.livestrong.com/article/367407-the-recommended-diet-after-a-stroke/

Blood flow to the brain is essential for the neurons to function properly. When blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted it is called a stroke. Dietary changes after a stroke have two main goals: to reduce your risk of having another stroke and to help you overcome any physical limitations that may make it harder for you to eat.

Cholesterol Reduction

One of the most important things you can do after a stroke is lower your cholesterol numbers by changing your diet. One way in which you can do this is to eat more fruits and vegetables; the National Stroke Association recommends that people who have had a stroke eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, as these foods are high in fiber, which can help lower your cholesterol levels. Whole grains, which can be found in whole grain bread, some cereals and foods made with bran are also rich in cholesterol reducing fiber. You should also replace saturated fats, which can be found in butter and red meat, with healthier fats, which can be found in fish, lean cuts of poultry and vegetable oils.

Reduce Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for a stroke. A diet that is high in sodium can cause your body to retain more water, increasing your blood pressure and raising your risk of having a second stroke. One major source of sodium in the diet is table salt, so limit or eliminate table salt from your diet. You should also avoid processed and canned foods as these can contain sodium in the form of monosodium glutamate, sodium phosphate and sodium nitrate. Instead, focus on eating fresh foods and increase your intake of potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, raisins, oranges, mangoes, pears and papayas.

Calorie Reduction

Being overweight greatly increases your chance of having a second stroke and can contribute to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. After you have had a stroke, focus on losing weight, which will involve restricting the number of calories you eat each day. Avoid foods that are high in fat, such as red meat, fried foods and foods that have sugar added to them, such as sweets and some baked goods. Instead, load up on fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy and lean proteins such as fish, seeds, legumes and beans.

Special Considerations

If you have had a stroke, you may have trouble eating due to problems swallowing. This may be due to a decreased ability to move the tongue or due to problems with your swallowing reflex. As a result you may need to stick to a diet that focuses on thicker liquids and foods that are either very warm or cold, as these will be easier to swallow. You may also have an easier time eating multiple small meals throughout the day.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/367407-the-recommended-diet-after-a-stroke/#ixzz1wTzWKtHy