Celebrity stroke highlights serious health concern

As this blog has documented, recent research has shown that strokes are not just a concern for the elderly. Now, reports that former "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz recently suffered a minor stroke have given younger Americans a tangible example of the risk. This event, which occurs when blood cannot freely flow to a portion of the brain, can severely impair your mobility and cognitive function, particularly if it isn't treated immediately.

Celebrity-centric website TMZ was one of the first news outlets to cover the story. However, it was Muniz himself who actually broke the news. A few days before his 27th birthday on December 5, Muniz tweeted that he had spent the night in the hospital after suffering what the doctors called a "mini-stroke."

Muniz elaborated on the incident on ABC's "Good Morning America," explaining that he was suddenly unable to speak properly. "I thought I was saying [words]! And, my fiancé was looking at me like I was speaking a foreign language," he explained.

The technical term for a mini-stroke is a transient ischemic attack, and, like a full-blown stroke, it is typically the result of blood vessel blockage in the brain. People who suffer a mini-stroke are likely to experience symptoms such as partial paralysis, speech difficulties and distorted vision for a couple of hours. And, while these events are generally not life-threatening, multiple sources report that they do affect brain health and increase the likelihood of a full stroke later in life.

So, what can you do to reduce the risk of having a stroke (of any size)? You can start by taking steps to pursue proper nutrition for the mind through a balanced diet and regular exercise. These practices help combat medical issues like diabetes and high blood pressures, both of which are risk factors for stroke.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 at 3:56 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.