Stroke is the number one cause of disability

Stroke is the number one cause of disability and one of the leading causes of death in our country. Stroke is sudden and severe damage to brain cells which can result in paralysis, coma, and even death. There are three kinds of stroke : ischemic ( blockage of blood vessels), hemorrhagic (known as brain hemorrhage or blood clot in common language), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (due to aneurysms). Below we discuss the common facts regarding the diagnosis and treatment of brain stroke.

Yes, it is a medical emergency. A brain attack occurs due to a blocked vessel (medically known as ischemic stroke) or due to a ruptured blood vessel (medically known as hemorrhagic stroke or a subarachnoid haemorrhage).

• Weakness and numbness on one side of the body
• Difficulty in speaking and understanding the words
• Drowsiness
• Loss of vision
• Severe headaches or in some cases Death.

*Symptoms depend on which part of the brain is affected and if not treated well in time, the weakness and other neurological defects may become permanent and extremely disabling.

Can stroke be really serious?

If I were to say stroke is really bad, you will probably not believe me. Luckily, some studies have made my job easier. According to a study done by researchers in 2006 in the USA, a patient with ischemic stroke loses 190,00,00 brain cells every minute, about 14000,000,000 nerve connections are destroyed every minute and 12 km (7.5 miles) of nerve fibers are lost every minute. The end result is the patient gets paralyzed for life and becomes dependent. That's pretty scary!!!

How do you recognise stroke?

STROKE: REMEMBER THE 6 S METHOD TO DIAGNOSE STROKE

• SUDDEN (symptoms usually start suddenly)
• SLURRED SPEECH ( speech is not clear, as if drunk)
• SIDE WEAK ( face, arm or leg or all three can get weak)
• SPINNING ( VERTIGO)
• SEVERE HEADACHE
• SECONDS ( note the time when the symptoms start and rush to the hospital)

Is there any treatment for stroke?

• 85% of all strokes are ischemic (blocked blood vessel), the treatment depends on which kind of stroke the person has had. There is an option of intravenous medication called tPA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator), which is given to the patient 3 to 4.5 hours before the symptoms onset. The patients who have a blockage in a large blood vessel are offered a procedure called as Mechanical Thrombectomy, which involves removing the blockage in the blood vessel and restores the blood supply. This procedure is performed using a small nick in the groin and there is no open surgery involved. Recent trials have shown that patients do exceedingly well post mechanical thrombectomy and have a greater chance to live life independently.
• The most important of stroke care is not the doctor or hospital, it is the Patient. As most stroke attacks that occur are painless, patients tend to ignore their symptoms and delay their treatment. If the patient and family are aware of the stroke symptoms they can reach the hospital in time and can get themselves treated. 

Till what time can you do mechanical thrombectomy?

• Mechanical Thrombectomy can now be offered up to 24 hours from the symptoms onset but, sooner its done better the patient does.

What is the single most important factor in stroke care?

• The most important part of stroke care is not the doctor or the hospital, it’s the patient! As most of the strokes are painless, patients tend to ignore their symptoms and hence delay the treatment. If the patient and the family are aware of stroke symptoms they can reach the hospital in time and can get treated.