Strokes are becoming more common in young adults, according to a new study by the University of Cincinnati.

The study, published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, showed that strokes more than doubled in people under the age of 55 between 1993 and 2005.
    
Researchers can only speculate on causes for the increase, but more people have developed the risk factors that lead to stroke, like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Researchers say if you're developing these ailments at an earlier age you may have a stroke at an earlier age as well.

"The good news is that some of the possible contributing factors to these strokes can be modified with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise," lead researcher Dr. Brett Kissela, professor and vice-chair of neurology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, said.

"I hope this is a wake-up call that this is a problem that is getting worse in younger people and prompt them to go to the doctor to identify risk factors for stroke and modify them," Kissela added.