The World Stroke Day (Oct 29) was observed last week but how many of us are aware of brain stroke that is one of the major causes of disability and death.
The objective of observing the day was to create awareness among general public on the need to know the problem, how it manifests itself in a person and the way to prevent it. Brain stroke presents itself in the form of paralysis of legs and hands, loss of vision and sudden changes in behaviour of the affected person.
The method to recognise stroke is to look for F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech and Time). If there is any deviation in the position of mouth, weakness of arm or disturbance of speech, the person should be immediately referred to a hospital, which has thrombolysis facility without any time delay, says Dr. Rajesh Venkat I, consultant neuro physician, Apollo Hospitals.
The modifiable risk factors are: hypertension (BP), diabetes, alcohol consumption, smoking, heart disease and drugs. Controlling the risk factors can effectively prevent stroke.
The non-modifiable risk factors include age, family history and race (certain races are genetically pre-disposed to stroke).
A person can be saved from the permanent disability due to stroke by administering the r TPA injection in less than four-and-a-half hours after occurrence of the symptoms. This period is called as the ‘golden period’. Once that time limit is exceeded, even r TPA, which is being successfully used for treatment of stroke for the last two decades, will not be of any help, says Dr. Rajesh Venkat.
Once a person gets a stroke, it is important to prevent him/her from getting it a second time as there would be very high chances.
Preventive measures The preventive measures include: walking for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week. Vegetarian diet is the best and non-veg should be avoided and fruits of various colours should be consumed apart from pears and oats, which are rich in fibre. The target of diabetics should be to keep their LDL cholesterol below 80.
The intake of salt should be cut down drastically. The body requires no more than 1.5 gm salt a day. Those having high BP should avoid pickles.
The chances of getting a stroke after the age of 55 years are high and they increase with each passing year.
“One can also go for a stroke profile to know the risk factors and take preventive measures like making dietary changes and regular exercise. Apollo Hospitals is offering stroke profile service at subsidised cost during the whole of November for the benefit of the public in connection with World Stroke Day,” says Dr. Sandeep Chatrath, Regional CEO, Apollo Hospitals (Telangana and AP).
B. Madhu Gopal
