Category: Stroke

  How umbilical cord blood is obtained The umbilical cord blood is specifically obtained from the blood vessels of the umbilical cord. After a baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the cord blood can be collected and preserved. In the United States, cord blood banking is slowly becoming a popular topic among…

The risk of having a stroke can be further increased by various risk factors. While you cannot control your age, sex, race, or family history, it is important to be aware that these factors could be predisposing you to a stroke. Awareness may encourage you to make lifestyle changes for the risk factors that you…

The road to recovery often feels rocky and tough for stroke survivors, who face many challenges along the way. From their physical conditions of weakness to their emotional instability to their cognitive loss of memory, a safe and speedy recovery is a common desire for both stroke survivors and their loved ones.   Read more…

Important things to know about the “mini-stroke” A warning sign of a future stroke may already appear in the form of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - also called a “mini-stroke”. It is the result of a temporarily blocked blood vessel in the brain that leads to stroke symptoms only lasting for a short period.…

Leading causes of death in the United States In the United States, heart disease and stroke rank in the top 5 causes of death with heart disease being the first leading cause. Combined, they are the most widespread health problems facing the country. It is estimated that every 40 seconds, an American adult dies of…

When the artery to the brain becomes blocked and the brain can no longer be supplied with vital oxygen, an ischaemic stroke occurs. Without oxygen, the neural pathways in the affected area of the brain begin to die, resulting in immediate stroke symptoms and long-term post-stroke effects. Strokes can happen to anybody at any age,…

What happens during an ischemic stroke When a blood clot cuts off the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain, an ischaemic stroke occurs. Without oxygen, that particular section of the brain begins to die along with any neural connections and synaptic pathways. The lack of oxygen is the ultimate cause of immediate stroke…

When identifying a stroke, it is important to act F.A.S.T. The American Stroke Association has developed the following tool to recognise a stroke quickly and to be able to call for medical help immediately in case of an emergency.   F- Face. Is one side of the person’s face drooping? When they smile, is it…

Umbilical cord blood can be collected from the placenta and umbilical cord after birth and serves as a source of stem cells. It is ethically and safely harvested without harming mother or child and cryopreserved. Parents may choose to donate the cord blood on behalf of their newborn baby, or they may pay to have…

Medical tourism as a fast-growing industry Medical tourism is not a new concept, although this industry has only been growing rapidly for a few years. In fact, documented cases of medical tourism date back to the 16th century when wealthy Europeans would travel to spa towns like St. Moritz in Switzerland to soothe their ailments.…