She had received no warning. In less than ten seconds, Suparna Thakur, an active and bubbly mother of two, was lying unconscious on the ground after having suffered a sudden ischemic brain stroke. When she got up, her limbs refused to cooperate and her speech was slurred, recalled her husband Aditya Thakur.
Luckily for the Wanawadi resident, her in-laws were home who gave her some liquids presuming it was general weakness. But when the former techie started drooling, they realised something was amiss and rushed her to Inamdar Hospital where she was administered a life-saving injection, 1 hour and 40 minutes after she suffered the stroke. Three-and-a-half months later, Thakur has made a near complete recovery.
Doctors say that she is among the lucky few who received treatment in time. Shockingly, a study of stroke patients carried out by Pune doctor Sudhir Kothari at the Poona Hospital’s department of neurology found that of the 387 stroke cases admitted to hospital in a one year period, only 28 reached the hospital in time.
“Lack of awareness about the stroke and its symptoms besides little awareness about the correct centre where all facilities would be available for treatment is the main reason for such delays,” said Dr Nasli Ichaporia, who heads the stroke unit at Jehangir Hospital.
One patient of stroke a day
What’ makes the ignorance even more startling are the statistics. City doctors say that they see at least one fresh case of stroke in a day. “Every day I see at least one stroke patient. The main causes for strokes are lifestyle issues and stress, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure, nutritional problems like Vitamin B12 deficiency etc,” said neurologist Dr Rahul Kulkarni. In fact, Dr Ichaporia pointed out that strokes are even more common than heart attacks and yet little is known about them.
Afflicting them young
While stroke is traditionally considered to be a disease that afflicts the elderly, doctors said that nowadays a large chunk of their patients are in the age group of 25-35years. Neurologist Dr Nandan Yardi said, “It is shocking yet true that stroke patients in younger age group are increasing in numbers. The best solution to this problem is maintaining lifestyle, taking balanced diet, low consumption of oily foods, relaxation, exercise and avoiding addictions.”
A stitch in time saves nine
Doctors said that the first few hours after getting the stroke is most crucial for patients to reach a stroke centre. It can help doctors carry out investigations and administer clot buster drug tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). “It needs to be given within the first three hours. Though an expensive drug, it is life saving. In fact, every single minute is crucial for saving the life of a stroke victim,” said Dr Rajas Deshpande, neurologist at Ruby Hall Clinic. Every second after a stroke, the patient permanently loses more than 30,000 neurons ( brain cells).
What is a stroke?
A cerebral stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or is ruptured. When this happens, part of the brain starts dying due to lack of blood and oxygen.
What are the early symptoms?
Unusual dizziness, unusual headaches, tingling and numbness in any of the limbs, feeling of sudden weakness in a limb, difficulty in speaking
Risk factors for a stroke
Blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, junk food, excessive alcohol and smoking, lack of exercise and obesity
Preventive measures
Regular health check-up, keeping weight under control, exercise, healthy eating habits
The Numbers
15million: No of people worldwide who suffer strokes
Six seconds: One life is lost to stroke
75%: Stroke survivors suffer from permanent disability
30 to 50%: Stroke survivors suffer post stroke depression
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