Dr S K Gupta
The World Stroke Organization (WSO) and Indian Stroke Association (ISA) are calling for immediate action to address the epidemic of stroke. WSO and ISA are advocating for a comprehensive continuum approach, from prevention to treatment and towards rehabilitation and long term support. As you know heart attack is very important and patient with mild chest pain rushes to the hospital, similarly stroke or brain attack is equally important to prevent mortality and morbidity from this illness. Here I would like to share some basic principles of stroke and to educate the masses to take care of their brain attack or stroke.
* One in six people world wide will have a stroke in their life time.
* Every six seconds stroke kills some one.
* Every other second stroke attacks a persons regardless of age or gender.
* 15 millions people experience a stroke each year and 6 million of them do not survive.
Behind these numbers are real lives”
Stroke is the 3rd major cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious, long term disability in adults.
Stroke also called as ‘Brain Attack’ occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted and causes death of brain cells.
There are two types of major strokes.
1. Ischaemic Stroke
2. Haemorrhagic Stroke
In the first type blood clots blocks the blood to a particular area of brain- known as Ischaemic Stroke which contributes to 80%. In the second type there is rupture of blood vessel and blood leaks in to the brain called as Haemorrhagic Stroke which contributes about 20% of all strokes. Here are six steps any one can take to reduce the risk and danger of stroke.
* Know you personnel risk factors- high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol.
* Be physically active and exercise regularly
* Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet.
* Avoid cigarette smoking
* Limit alcohol consumption.
* Learn to recognize the warning signs of stroke.
Stroke warning signs.
* Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg on one side of body.
* Sudden confusion or difficulty in speech or understanding language.
* Sudden trouble in seeing in one or both eyes or having double vision.
* Sudden vertigo.
* Sudden trouble in walking and loss of balance.
* Sudden severe headache with no cause.
Stroke is a medical emergency and get to a hospital immediately. Don’t lose time.
Even if the symptoms disappear in a few minutes still consult the neurologist immediately, because it may be your last opportunity to prevent a potentially forthcoming major stroke. Since stroke is a medical emergency, every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. The longer flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage; immediate treatment can save people’s lives and enhance their chances for successful recovery.
Ischaemic strokes, the most common type of strokes can be treated with a drug rt-PA which dissolves blood clots. The time is very important and the window of opportunity to start treating stroke is 3 to 4.5 hours so one has to get into the hospital with in shortest time. Haemorrhagic stroke is usually treated conservatively with decongestive therapy.
The best treatment for stroke is prevention. There are several risk factors that increase your chances of having a stroke.
* High Blood Pressure
* Diabetes.
* Heart Disease
* High Cholesterol
* Smoking and Obesity.
Preventing or keeping them under control will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.
Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability worldwide.
Stroke survivors need appropriate long term care and support.
Physical and occupational therapy
Most persons that survive a stroke have some degree of post-stroke disabilities. Although rehabilitation does not reverse brain damage, it can substantially improve functions leading to better qualities of life.
Persons who have had a stroke are in need of long term follow up for preventive strategies, risk factor control and regular check up for disabilities.
Mental health support
Stroke survivors may experience depression. To improve the quality of life and to facilitate rehabilitation, it is essential that they have access to professional help as well as receive sustained emotional support from their families and friends.
It is strongly suggested to recognize the stroke and act fast to prevent disability and loss of life. This is a slogan of WSO and ISA, which is to be fulfilled.
Precaution is better than cure, so by taking care of risk factors one can prevent brain attack in their life time.
(The author is a neurologist)
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