Stroke

Description
Stroke (apoplexy) is the destruction of brain tissue as a result of intracerebral haemorrhage, thrombosis (clotting), or embolism (obstruction in a blood vessel caused by clotting blood or foreign matter circulating in the blood stream).

Cerebral haemorrhage or thrombosis usually occurs in the elderly with constricted arteries.

Symptoms of stroke develop suddenly. In cases of severe brain damage, there may be deep coma, paralysis of one side of the body, and loss of speech, followed by death or by permanent neurological disturbances after recovery. If the brain damage sustained has been slight, there is usually complete recovery.

Herbs
Feverfew
Ginkgo Biloba (4)

Nutritional Supplements
Fish Oil (1)
Magnesium (2)
Vitamin B6 (3)

References
1. Black K, et al. Eicosapentaenoic acid: Effect on both brain prostaglandins, cerebral blood flow and edema in ischemic gerbils. Stroke 1984; 15(1):65-69.
2. Sadeh M. Action of Magnesium sulfate in the treatment of preeclampsia/eclampsia. Stroke 1989; 20(9):1273-75.
3. Clarke R, et al. Hyperhomocysteinemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease. N Engl J Med 1991; 324(17):1149-55.
4. Hofferberth B. The efficacy of Egb761 in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on different levels of investigation. Human Psychopharmacol 1994; 9:215-22.