Emergency treatment with medications. Therapy with clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) must start within 4.5 hours if they are given into the vein — and the sooner, the better. Quick treatment not only improves your chances of survival but also may reduce the complications from your stroke.
Brain stroke, commonly causing paralysis of one half of the body (called as "Lakwa" in Hindi) is among the top 3 causes of death and disability in the world (the other two being heart attack and cancer). Stroke brings about a sudden transformation in the sufferer's life. A completely independent person may become paralysed, making him/her dependent on others for even their basic needs such as bathing, toileting and feeding needs.
Moreover, stroke is a major cause of financial burden for the sufferer. The patient is unable to attend to his job due to disability leading to the loss of income. In addition, the treatment of stroke and caring for the stroke patient adds to the financial burden.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is compromised, either because of a blockage in the blood vessel, or due to a rupture of the blood vessel, resulting in bleeding into the brain.
Brain cells require a continuous supply of blood, which carries oxygen and vital nutrients. If blood supply is cut-off the brain cells begin to die. There are two main types of stroke: • Ischemic stroke: An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut-off due to a blockage in an artery. The clot that blocks the artery may form within the artery (thrombotic stroke), or be carried to the brain from another part of the body (embolic stroke).
• Hemorrhagic stroke: A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. This decreases the amount of blood flowing to the affected part of the brain. Also, the blood that accumulates in the brain clots over time and presses on the brain, decreasing its ability to function. The bleed may happen inside the brain (intracerebral bleed) or in the space between the brain and skull.
Risk factors:
A variety of risk factors predispose a person to a stroke. These are of two types – ones that can be changed or modified and ones that cannot. The modifiable risk factors include:
Brain stroke, commonly causing paralysis of one half of the body (called as "Lakwa" in Hindi) is among the top 3 causes of death and disability in the world (the other two being heart attack and cancer). Stroke brings about a sudden transformation in the sufferer's life. A completely independent person may become paralysed, making him/her dependent on others for even their basic needs such as bathing, toileting and feeding needs.
Moreover, stroke is a major cause of financial burden for the sufferer. The patient is unable to attend to his job due to disability leading to the loss of income. In addition, the treatment of stroke and caring for the stroke patient adds to the financial burden.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is compromised, either because of a blockage in the blood vessel, or due to a rupture of the blood vessel, resulting in bleeding into the brain.
Brain cells require a continuous supply of blood, which carries oxygen and vital nutrients. If blood supply is cut-off the brain cells begin to die. There are two main types of stroke: • Ischemic stroke: An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut-off due to a blockage in an artery. The clot that blocks the artery may form within the artery (thrombotic stroke), or be carried to the brain from another part of the body (embolic stroke).
• Hemorrhagic stroke: A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. This decreases the amount of blood flowing to the affected part of the brain. Also, the blood that accumulates in the brain clots over time and presses on the brain, decreasing its ability to function. The bleed may happen inside the brain (intracerebral bleed) or in the space between the brain and skull.
Risk factors:
A variety of risk factors predispose a person to a stroke. These are of two types – ones that can be changed or modified and ones that cannot. The modifiable risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Elevated cholesterol
- Elevated homocysteine levels
- Cardiac diseases
- Stress
- Excess alcohol intake
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Use of oral contraceptives (esp. for women who smoke)
Non-modifiable risk factors for stroke include:
- Older age
- Family history of brain stroke
- Male sex
It is important to get regular check-ups done to identify any risk factors for stroke. If any of the above conditions are identified, proper treatment may ensure a stroke-free life.
Warning signs of a stroke:
The acronym FAST is useful to remember to assess whether a person might have a stroke or not:
Warning signs of a stroke:
The acronym FAST is useful to remember to assess whether a person might have a stroke or not:
- F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downwards?
- S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the speech slurred or strange?
- T – Time: If the answer to any of the above questions is Yes, rush the patient to the nearest hospital.
Importance of timely treatment in brain stroke
An ischemic stroke can be treated with a clot-buster medicine called Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA). However, this drug is effective only if given within 4.5 hours of onset of the stroke symptoms. Hence, it is essential that a patient with any of the above signs of stroke receives immediate medical attention at a hospital that can identify and treat a stroke.
All Apollo Hospitals are equipped to handle a stroke case. Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI, USA) for the management of acute stroke since April 2006.
Dr.Sudhir Kumar
Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें