Every year 29th of October is observed as World Stroke Day. The day is commemorated to raise awareness of the rates of stroke, to emphasize the actions that are essential to improve stroke prevention, besides providing support for survivors of this deadly health concern and finding ways through which signs of stroke can be reduced. For 2022, the campaign focuses on raising awareness of the signs of stroke and the need for timely access to quality stroke treatment. The World Stroke Organization states that one in four adults will experience a stroke in their lifetime, hence raising awareness about the ailment is crucial.
The brain needs a good supply of oxygen and nutrients provided by blood to function properly. A stroke is a health disorder that happens when the blood supply to your brain is cut off, resulting in temporary or may be permanent damage to your brain cells. A person may or may not be able to recover from a stroke or may suffer from a corresponding disability or in some cases it gets fatal. Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide besides being the second-highest reason behind people dying from this deadly ailment. Annually, 16 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Not only does it affect adults, but every year stroke also occurs in about ten percent of children, primarily with kids who have a history of sickle cell disease.
Also Read: World Stroke Day 2021: Learn How To Spot Early Warning Signs Of Stroke
Potential Causes Of Stroke
There are 3 main causes of strokes:
Ischemic – It happens when the blood supply is stopped because of a blood clot blocking an artery leading to the brain. It accounts for ninety percent of all cases. It may cause an increase in high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes and the symptoms last longer than 24 hours. Primary symptoms are limb or facial weakness, difficulty in walking, dizziness, and speech difficulties.
Hemorrhagic – When a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts, it causes this kind of stroke. It can happen due to bleeding in the brain, high blood pressure, drug use, accidental trauma, or injury Symptoms may resolve in time or could also be permanent.
Mini Stroke: This is a related condition called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke where the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. It can last a few minutes or persist for a longer duration. The mini-stroke should be treated urgently, as it is a warning sign of one being at risk of having a full stroke any time soon.
Stroke Prevention
Various measures can be taken to prevent the onset of this disease. Some of them are:
- Blood pressure to be kept under control
- Exercise regularly
- Cut down on the salt intake
- Keep the body weight in check
- Maintain balanced cholesterol levels
- Control smoking habits or quit it completely
- Cut fad or diet drinks or colas and eat a more fibrous diet
Effective Therapies To Manage Stroke
Certain therapies may prevent the condition from worsening but don’t offer a permanent cure and these include:
- Physical therapies
- Speech therapies
- Social therapies
- Psychology therapies
Managing The Deterioration Of Stroke
Timely intervention is a must for any kind of stroke as every second counts when a person gets a stroke. Stroke treatment mainly depends on the type of stroke including which part of the brain was affected and the causative factor. A stroke caused due to blood clots in the brain or increased blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol may result in permanent damage. Strokes are primarily treated with medicine to prevent the underlying cause and dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and bring down elevated cholesterol levels. In a few cases, surgeries may be required to remove blood clots. Surgery may also be needed to cure brain swelling and reduce the risk of further bleeding. One of the best remedies to reduce the chances of stroke is exercising every day and eating right.
