Mind Attack

THE very word 8216;stroke8217; implies unpreparedness for this sudden, often catastrophic, event. But modern interventions like brain angi...

THE very word 8216;stroke8217; implies unpreparedness for this sudden, often catastrophic, event. But modern interventions like brain angiography and brain angioplasty mean that life after a stroke is no more the full stop it once was.

What is a stroke?
It8217;s a condition triggered by a sudden reduction in the blood supply to the brain. 8216;8216;It arises from problems in blood vessels supplying the brain,8217;8217; says Dr Shakir Hussain, a senior consultant in stroke neurology and interventional neuroradiology. 8216;8216;Strokes can be either ischaemic, where blood supply is cut off due to the formation of a clot, or haemorrhagic, when blood vessels rupture8212;because of high blood pressure, the ballooning of an artery, or the abnormal clustering of blood cells.8217;8217;

Can strokes be treated?
Certainly. Now more than ever. 8216;8216;The past decade has seen tremendous changes in stroke management, as aggressive as treatment for a heart attack. In fact, a stroke can be aptly described as a brain attack. It8217;s more severe than a heart attack because of the vulnerability of the organ and the complexity of the functions involved,8217;8217; says Dr Hussain.

Is time a factor in the treatment?
Absolutely. The first 3-6 hours are crucial, in order to minimise brain damage. 8216;8216;The treatment involves dissolving the clot8212;either with injected drugs or by an angiography8212;and widening the artery through angioplasty,8217;8217; explains Dr Hussain.

HEADSTART

To prevent a stroke:
8226; Check your BP regularly. Hypertension is a major cause of strokes
8226; Find out if you have
arterial fibrillation8212;an
irregular heartbeat that
allows blood to collect in the heart8217;s chambers
8226; Control your cholesterol levels, especially if obese
8226; If you smoke, stop. Smoking doubles the risk of a stroke
8226; If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
8226; Exercise
8226; Control your salt and
fat intake
8226; Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and a moderate amount of protein each day

What exactly brings on a stroke?
Chiefly, problems with the heart, arteries, or the blood that flows through them. Fatty deposits in the blood vessels8212;medically known as atherosclerosis8212;is a major factor. 8216;8216;Though atherosclerosis is a normal process, its acceleration is a cause for worry, since increased fat deposition can block the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the brain,8217;8217; says Dr Hussain.

Any danger signals?
Watch out for the sudden onset of:
8226; Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side
8226; Confusion, trouble in speaking or understanding
8226; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
8226; Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
8226; Severe headache with no known cause
8226; Rapid nausea, fever and vomiting
8226; Brief loss of consciousness, or period of decreased consciousness fainting, convulsions or coma