‘Lifestyle modification can prevent stroke'

‘Lifestyle modification can prevent stroke'

Staff Reporte

right stroke: Collector Mahesan Kasirajan, centre, handing over the booklet to M.Panneerselvam, Medical Superintendent, Annal Gandhi Memorial Hospital, in Tiruchi. The author M.A. Aleem is in the picture.

TIRUCHI: Lifestyle modification can prevent stroke, stressed speakers at the ‘World Stroke Day' at K.A.P.Viswanatham Government Medical College and Annal Gandhi Government Hospital, Tiruchi on Tuesday.

Collector Mahesan Kasirajan released the booklet on ‘Stroke and its prevention' authored by M.A Aleem, Head of the department, Neurology. The educational booklet in Tamil elaborates on causes, symptoms and prevention of stroke besides addressing simple questions on the subject. Mr. Kasirajan underlined the need for educating patients on their diseases. He urged doctors, nurses and medical students present to adopt a sensitive approach to patients.

Dr. Aleem said early recognition of symptoms such as slurring, trouble with vision and difficulty in using limbs can lead to timely treatment and averting a major attack. Stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot. He noted that the window period for admission of a patient suffering from stroke is diminishing in Tamil Nadu thanks to 108 ambulance services. He added that, concluding from a city based study, early morning stroke, occurring between 6 a.m. and noon was a common feature in the city.

Dr. Aleem threw light on the ‘one in six' campaign launched by the World Stroke organisation on October 29, World Stroke Day.

The campaign that seeks a prime place for the fight against stroke in the global health agenda highlights the prevention of stroke and rehabilitation of survivors. It is based on the estimate that one in six people worldwide are likely have a stroke in their lifetime.

The two year campaign aims at reducing stroke with emphasis on six criteria: knowledge and control of personal risk factors such as high blood pressure; diabetes and high blood cholesterol; physical activity and exercise; avoiding obesity with a healthy diet; limiting alcohol consumption; avoiding smoking and recognising warning signs of a stroke.

S.Paneerselvam, Medical Superintendent of the hospital said that the government hospital was equipped with all facilities to handle stroke and provide preventive treatment.



The Hindu
Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2010