Stroke-related deaths will be 7.8 million by 2030
Author(s): City Air NewsWorld Stroke Day being observed at DMCH, Ludhiana on Thursday. Ludhiana, October 29, 2015: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability across the world, especially in India, said Dr Gagandeep Singh...
Ludhiana, October 29, 2015: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability across the world, especially in India, said Dr Gagandeep Singh (Professor & Head of Neurology), DMCH, Ludhiana.He informed that as per studies, the projected rate of stroke-related deaths will be 7.8 million by the year 2030 and most of these deaths will occur in low-income and middle-income countries including India. This stroke incidence is on decline in high income countries as compared to low and middle income countries, over last one decade. Stroke happens when there is interruption of blood flow to one hemisphere of the brain leading to paralysis of the other side of the body. It can be ischaemic .i.e. because of occlusion of blood vessel or hemorrhagic i.e. because of rupture of blood vessel.
Dr Rajinder Kumar Bansal ( Professor of Neurology) said that the common symptoms of stroke are sudden weakness of one side of the body, numbness of one side of the body, facial paralysis with weakness, sudden swaying on the either side. In case of such symptoms:
Patient should raise the alarm and be referred to the emergency urgently and should be evaluated. He need an urgent brain scan may be CT/ (Computed Tomography/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging), which is done on the emergency basis. This helps in differentiating the type of stroke.
Dr Brinder S Paul said In case of acute brain stroke, time is the most important factor in this as if we get the patient within 3-4.5 hours of acute ischemic stroke, the patient can be saved. They can be given injection tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator is a human tissue type protein which helps in dissolution of clot and is the only FDA approved therapy for acute stroke. It helps in reperfusion and salvage the area at risk).
Dr Monika Singla said when patient has a stroke every minute counts, because longer the brain does not get blood supply, the greater is the damage. Therefore it is most beneficial when given in early hours of stroke onset and helps in reducing the severity and disability of stroke significantly.
The most common population to get stroke is the middle to elderly age group especially with risk
factors (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, atrial fibrillation, sedentary lifestyle, carotid stenosis, previous history of transient ischemic attack (TIA), rheumatic heart
disease, coronary artery disease, tobacco current and past use). In view of rising trend of smoking and addictions, younger population is also at risk of getting stroke. Women are getting more affected compared to men especially postmenopausal age group. There if we take care of these risk factors, stroke can be prevented. Diabetes and hypertension should be under control.
The patient should take regular medicines. Life style modification will help. Reducing weight and regular exercise does help.
Principal Dr Sandeep Puri and Medical Supdt Dr Sandeep Sharma informed that the facility of tPA is available in DMC& H, Ludhiana as it has a well equipped stroke care unit, a dedicated team and an efficient emergency care services. Still this facility is underutilized which may be because of lack of awareness at the public level. Dean Academics Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina also shared his views on Brain Stroke and its treatment. Secretary of DMCH Managing Society-Sh Prem Kumar Gupta said that the hospital has established fund from philanthropists of the city to give highly subsidized treatment to patients with acute stroke. As we know that the patient with brain stroke needs to be immediately transferred to hospital and incase of emergency, sometimes it becomes very difficult for a person to arrange for finances for this treatment.
To create this awareness at the mass level, Department of Neurology DMC& H celebrated stroke awareness week starting from 26th October and continuing till 2nd November. They organized various workshops for the whole emergency staff nurses, neurology and medicine staff, paramedical staff and radiology department. The sessions were planned for patients in the outdoor department and information brochures were distributed amongst the patients and their relatives. DMC& H conducted a large epidemiological study i.e. Ludhiana stroke registry, in collaboration with CMC Ludhiana, which studied incidence of stroke, profile, risk factors of stroke and mortality associated with it. The department is planning many more such activities for the general public awareness so that they can avail the facility in time.
Date:
Thursday, October 29, 2015