Janet Yakwo, a medical practitioner at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said poor diet, the lack of exercise and water in the body system were major causes of stroke.
Yakwo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gwagwalada, FCT on Tuesday.
Yakwo said stroke could lead to long-term body malfunction, depending on how quickly it was diagnosed and treated.
She said: “Stroke occurs due to problems with blood supply to the brain resulting from blockage within the vessels of the brain.
“If the brain does not receive enough oxygen, due to lack of exercise and adequate water in the body, it causes the brain cells to die.
“There is the need for people to urgently consult their doctors upon noticing any arm weakness, speech difficulty or face dropping.
“Stroke needs to be treated as quickly as possible when diagnosed, to minimize brain damage.”
Yakwo explained that the most effective way to prevent stroke was by maintaining healthy lifestyle and identifying the two types of stroke, Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
According to her, Ischemic stroke occurs when arteries to the brain become narrow, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by blood vessels in and around the brain.
Yakwo explained: “Stroke occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is interrupted, thereby causing the brain cells to malfunction.
“Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the leaked blood puts pressure on the brain cells and damages them.”
She said regular check-up, exercise, healthy lifestyle and adequate water intake could reduce the risk of stroke.