Stroke Awareness : Prevention, Early Identification, and Treatment

Types of stroke:

There are two types of stroke -1.Ischemic (blocked artery and decreased blood supply to brain) which is more common (85%), 2.Hemorrhagic (bleed) stroke

How to recognize early?

Mnemonic BE FAST to recognize stroke

B – Balance

E – Eye sight/ movement

F – Face drooping on one side

A – Arm droop

S – Speech difficulty

T – Time, seek medical help immediately

Others include sudden numbness of one side of body, slurring of speech, vision problems etc.,

Risk factors:

Non-modifiable risk factors : age, sex, genetics

Modifiable risk factors : obesity, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, smoking, alcohol intake, stress, reduced sleep and lack of balanced diet

Prevention of stroke:

1.Regular health visits and manage blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterols within normal range. High blood pressure and sugar levels damage blood vessels.

2. Exercise regularly. Moderate aerobic exercise or brisk walking for 150 minutes per week and maintain healthy weight
3. Eat healthy diet like diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while low in saturated fats, sodium etc
4. Adequate sleep which includes undisturbed 7-8 hours of night sleep, reduce mental stress through yoga or meditation
5. Quit smoking and excess alcohol consumption. Smoking damages blood vessels all over the body leading to heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease etc., Excess or chronic drinking leads to high blood pressure and stroke

Treatment options:

Every minute matters…

 Each and every minute loss of blood supply to brain results in loss of millions of neurons. For ischemic stroke which is confirmed after brain imaging, clot busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if administered within 4.5 hours of stroke onset can restore blood supply to brain. In some cases, if this fails or not suitable for some patients, doctors may perform mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove blood clot from brain. 

Stroke recognized and treated early will lead onto better outcome and survival. So act fast to recognize stroke and reach your nearest stroke centre where brain imaging facilities (CT/ MRI scan) available. 

For hemorrhagic stroke, treatment modality differs. That’s where we need imaging facilities. Blood pressure management and stabilization of vital signs like airway, breathimg and circulation. Sometimes surgery may be needed in case of massive bleed leading onto brain herniation.

Need to take regular medications and health check-ups as advised for secondary stroke prevention.

Conclusion:

Stroke is a serious medical emergency. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits, managing medical conditions, recognizing early symptoms, we can significantly reduce the devastating effects of stroke. Together we can act to spread awareness and beat the stroke.

Dr. Dhivya Selvaraj, Consultant Neurologist at Kauvery Hospital Salem

Dr. Dhivya Selvaraj, Consultant Neurologist at Kauvery Hospital Salem, is known for her expertise in diagnosing and treating various neurological conditions. With her compassionate care and personalized treatment plans, she ensures that every patient receives the best possible outcome.

Kauvery Hospital Salem continues to uphold its commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. With a team of skilled specialists, we are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our community by ensuring optimal outcomes for our patients.

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