image from freepick
A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off and the brain’s tissues and cells begin to suffer damage from a lack of oxygen. Stroke can cause brain damage or even death if it is not treated right away. Because of alterations in lifestyle or genetics, stroke cases are rising globally. Earlier, it was more likely to affect persons over 55, but it’s now more common in younger people. A sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and some drugs can all increase the risk of stroke.
A stroke is a serious medical emergency that may cause numbness or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg. Every three seconds, somewhere in the world experiences a new stroke, totaling 12.2 million per year. One stroke will likely occur in every four adults over the age of 25 worldwide. Every year on October 29, World Stroke Day is observed to raise public awareness of stroke risk factors and symptoms.
In order to prevent further, irreparable brain tissue damage, it is crucial to act soon after a stroke. The ideal time from door to treatment is 60 minutes or less. The “golden hour” for stroke is frequently referred to as 4.5 hours. To rule out other illnesses that might mimic a stroke, a focused diagnostic workup must be finished during this window of opportunity. The golden hour was so named by medical specialists because it can have a significant impact. Patients who take the clot-busting medication tPA during the “golden hour” are more likely to survive and prevent long-term brain damage. Untreated strokes result in 13.8 billion synapses, 1.9 million neurons, so one stroke every minute, and seven million axonal fibres,” says Dr Krishnan P R, Consultant Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore.
“A stroke is a type of brain assault that happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds or when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the brain’s tissues. This causes an oxygen deficit in the brain, which harms the brain’s cells and tissues. If the illness is not detected in time, it could result in permanent brain damage or even death for the patient “the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals’ Dr. P.N. Renjen, Senior Consultant, Neurology.
Symptoms of stroke
So how do you know if someone is having a stroke? Dr P.N. Renjen also shares common signs and symptoms.
• Severe headaches
• Numbness in the body especially on face, leg and one side of body.
• Paralysis
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Loss of vision; sometimes the vision is black and blur
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unstable walking; difficulty in maintaining body balance
• Dizziness
Â
What to do when someone suffers from stroke?
According to Dr. Vikas Gupta, Director of the Neurosurgery Department of Kailash Deepak Hospital in Delhi, when a stroke occurs, the patient should be taken as soon as possible to a hospital nearby that is prepared to treat such patients, or a “stroke-ready hospital.”
“The patient’s head should have a CT scan at the hospital as soon as the emergency room is reached. It is important to make a correct diagnosis as soon as the signs of a stroke appear. Endovascular thrombectomy is the most certain course of action. In layman’s terms, it refers to the removal of the blood clot under the supervision of an image in order to allow appropriate blood flow to the brain. Since 2015, a new procedure known as mechanical thrombectomy has been available. We immediately transport the patient to the cath lab, where we unblock the artery “infers Dr. Gupta
Importance of golden hour during stroke
In order to prevent further, irreparable brain tissue damage, it is crucial to act soon after a stroke. The ideal time from door to treatment is 60 minutes or less. The “golden hour” for stroke is frequently referred to as 4.5 hours. To rule out other illnesses that might mimic a stroke, a focused diagnostic workup must be finished during this window of opportunity. The golden hour was so named by medical specialists because it can have a significant impact. Patients who take the clot-busting medication tPA during the “golden hour” are more likely to survive and prevent long-term brain damage. Untreated strokes result in 13.8 billion synapses, 1.9 million neurons, so one stroke every minute,and seven million axonal fibres,” says Dr Krishnan P R.
What increase your risk of stroke?
“In general, adults over 55 have a higher risk of having a stroke, but cases of adult stroke are on the rise as well. The lifestyle or genetic alterations may be to blame for this. Additionally, some medications, such as blood-thinning ones that doctors prescribe to prevent blood clots, can sometimes increase the likelihood of a stroke through bleeding, increasing your risk of stroke. Numerous studies have found a connection between hormone therapy, which is used to treat menopause symptoms including hot flashes, and an increased risk of stroke. Additionally, birth control drugs with low oestrogen levels may increase a person’s chances. Apart from other illnesses, stress can raise your risk of having a stroke. Chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension not only increase the risk of stroke but also cause severe damage to brain in case of a stroke,” says Dr P.N. Renjen.
Type of strokes
“The two strokes are significant. A sudden blood clot that originated from the heart or another source entered the brain first, clogged an artery, and reduced blood flow to that area. Ischaemic stroke is the term for this. Ischemia results in a reduced blood supply. Haemorrhagic stroke is another type of stroke. Blood buildup in the brain can cause blood vessels to burst, which then causes more blood to accumulate. Because both share many of the same symptoms, such as tingling in the hands or legs, unbalance in the body, facial drooling, etc., it is difficult to distinguish between the two “Dr. Renjen explains.
Treatment for strokes
According to Dr. Krishnan P. R., a combination of medications is used to treat and stop an ischemic stroke from happening again.
In order to break blood clots and reestablish blood flow to the brain, thrombolysis requires injecting clot-busting medication called alteplase or tenecteplase.
– A blood clot in an artery or vein is removed during an emergency procedure known as a thrombectomy.
– To lower the risk of clots and prevent stroke caused by high blood pressure or cholesterol, aspirin and other antiplatelets, anticoagulants, statins, and blood pressure medications are used.
The carotid endarterectomy procedure is used to remove fatty deposits if there has been an extensive build-up of fatty plaque.
– Drugs are used to reduce blood pressure in hemorrhagic strokes.
– If a blood vessel in the brain bursts, a craniotomy is a surgical operation used to remove the blood.
– According to statistics, 10% of stroke patients have a complete recovery, 25% make a partial recovery with minor impairments, and 40% make a full recovery with moderate-to-severe impairments. 15% of strokes result in death, while 10% of patients require long-term care.
How to reduce the risk of strokes?
“A few lifestyle modifications that are essential to avoiding a stroke and preventing another stroke are limiting alcohol consumption, keeping an eye on your weight, controlling stress, and placing priority on mental health. According to a study, approximately 25% of stroke survivors had another stroke “Dr. Krishnan P. R.
English
Arabic
Dutch
French
German
Hindi
Italian
Malayalam
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Turkish
Urdu