BRAIN ATTACK

What is Brain attack (stroke)?

Brain attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly stopped. It may be due to a clot in the blood vessel / or leakage of blood from the vessel. Brain cells can not survive without continuous supply of blood.

Remember

• Stroke is a `Brain attack`.
• Stroke happens in the brain rather than heart.
• Stroke is an emergency.
• Time is brain.

How to identify Brain attack?

• The symptoms depend on the part of the brain damaged by the brain attack. Symptoms usually come on suddenly. Important symptoms are:
• Sudden weakness or numbness of one side of the body.
• Inability to speak / understand.
• Sudden dizziness / imbalance on walking.
• Sudden difficulty in seeing in one or both eyes or double vision.
• Sudden, severe headache usually accompanied with vomiting and fainting.

 How is stroke / brain attack diagnosed?

If anyone has one or more of the above symptoms suggesting stroke reach to nearest to nearest neurologist right away. Every minute counts. Your doctor will be able to tell you if it is a stroke. These tests are likely to be done.

• A brain scan
• Laboratory tests of your blood.
• Chest X-ray and ECG.

 

How it is treated?

After a stroke, you need to be watched and cared for. You will need bad rest. You may need injections and oxygen. You will need treatment for whatever caused the stroke. Depending on how well you feel and how severe is your stroke. You well start rehabilitation program. The program will start while you are in hospital and may lasts for weeks and months after you leave the hospital. The program is made up of:

• Physiotherapy: it helps you get back your muscle strength. It teaches you ways to move safely even if your muscles are weak.


• Occupational therapy: it helps you to relearn how to eat, dress and take care of yourself.


• Speech therapy: it helps you to relearn swallow, speak and understand.

Besides these you may need lifelong medicines to control your risk factors and to prevent reoccurrence of stroke.

How can stroke be prevented?

Know your Blood Pressure. Have it checked frequently. If it is high, work with your doctor to keep it under control.
Enjoy a low salt, lower fat diet.
Stop SMOKING
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Find out if you have Diabetes and high Cholesterol. Follow you doctor’s recommendation to control your blood sugar and cholesterol.
Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in daily routine. Keep a healthy weight.
If you experience any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical are available which can burst the clot in brain, if given within few hours.

Changing the perception of stroke

 Myth

• Stroke is unpreventable.
• Stroke cannot be treated.
• Stroke only strikes the elderly.
• Stroke happens to the heart.
• Stroke recovery only happens for a few months

Reality

Stroke is largely preventable.
Stroke requires emergency treatment.
Stroke can happen to anyone.
Stroke is a `brain attack`. Stroke recovery continues throughout life.

This is just simple & general information. For all your personal advice / query consult your doctor.