What You Should Know About Brain Attack

Nothing in this earth is indispensable- anything can come undone, at dire situations. We can say the same for the human body, it is as fragile as the soil we stand on. Owing to our lifestyle and various other factors, the immensity is increasing day by day. India especially, is in the grips of an upsurge of Non-communicable diseases, with strokes being one of the primary afflictions on the rise. There have been more than 100 per cent increase in the incidence of stroke in low- and middle-income countries including India from 1970-1979 to 2000-2008. And yet, a large number of people are unaware of the fact that it is preventable if paid attention to.

How do strokes occur?

Stokes can strike anytime, hence it is important to understand the basis of its occurrences. Strokes/ brain attacks take place when any oxygen-bearing blood vessel that brings oxygen to the brain is doesn’t or stops. It can vary from either being blocked (ischemic attack) or bursting open (hemorrhagic stroke). It kills the brain cells that this particular blood vessel serves, and as a result, the part of the body that these brain cells control stops working.

Heed the signs

One of the biggest mistake people make in terms of preventing strokes is not paying heed to warning signs. These are the clues your body sends, which indicate that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen, leading to a stroke. Here are a few signs that you should look out for:

· Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg. Pay stringent attention if this especially happens on one side of the body.

· Sudden confusion of senses, slurred speech and confusion in grasping things

· Blurred vision and other problems in the sight

· Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination

· Severe headache with no known cause

· Other danger signs include double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting.

Once warning symptoms are recognized, the nearest person should contact the doctor for early treatment. Stroke is a time-sensitive affliction- the faster action can save lives. A delayed detection can lead to paralysis, permanent damage, and more often, death. To begin appropriate treatment, one needs to predict and detect before the stroke takes place Also, treatments for strokes are very specific and depend upon the type, size, and location of the blockage or disruption of blood flow in the brain. Hence, depending upon the severity, the treatment may include the use of powerful drugs to dissolve brain clots or reduce and prevent haemorrhaging, or emergency surgical intervention may be necessary to stop bleeding into the brain.

One needs to pay strict attention to diet and lifestyle to remain at the best side of their health. Stoke is especially preventable through exercising daily, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying away from harmful habits such as drinking and smoking.

How you can prevent stroke?

Control your Diabetes: If you have diabetes, then it is important to check your blood sugar regularly as high blood sugar can make you 2-4 times more likely to have a stroke. If it’s not managed properly, diabetes can lead to fatty deposits or clots inside your blood vessels and later this can narrow the ones in the brain and neck and might cut off the blood supply to the brain.

It is always recommended to take medication and also consult your doctor every few months.

Healthy Eating: Healthy eating helps you shed weight and also can lower the risk of a stroke. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily meals. Choose a diet containing lean proteins and high-fibre. Avoid trans and saturated fats, as can clog the arteries.

Avoidance of smoking and Alcohol: Excessive smoking and too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and triglycerides, which can trigger an irregular heartbeat. If you use tobacco, then you are more prone to strokes, as Nicotine in cigarettes can also raise carbon monoxide which lowers the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. Even passive smoking can raise the chances of a stroke.

Lower Blood Pressure: A normal blood pressure reading lower than 120/80 and above 130/80 is considered to have high blood pressure. It is among the no. 1 cause of strokes as it thickens the artery walls and makes cholesterol or other fats build up and form plaques. High blood pressure can also weaken arteries and more likely to burst, which would cause a hemorrhagic stroke.

Dr Neetu Ramrakhiani

Guest Author The author is Additional Director- Neurology at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur.