The Hindu Tiruchi 30.10.2017
TAMIL NADU
‘Prevent stroke through lifestyle changes’
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
TIRUCHI, OCTOBER 30, 2017 00:00 IST
UPDATED: OCTOBER 30, 2017 04:48 IST
Neurologists stress healthy habits
Two per cent of hospital admission and 20% of neurological admission account for stroke patients in Tiruchi district, according to statistics maintained by the medical community here.
Iischemic stroke (clogging of blood vessels within) has been found to be much more at 69.69% compared to hemorrhagic stroke (rupture of vessels causing blood to leak into the brain) at 27.27%, M.A. Aleem, president, Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Association of Neurologists.
The association members have been sensitising patients to the causes and prevention methodologies over the last few days in connection with the observance of World Stroke Day on October 29.
Their main emphasis is on making life style changes for prevention. “Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. Be physically active and exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetable and low in salt to stay in a healthy state and to keep blood pressure low. And avoid alcohol consumption and smoking,” said Dr. Aleem who is also former Vice-Principal and former Head, Department of Neurology, KAPV Government Medical College.
"Further, diet is one of the important factors for prevention of stroke, because we eat three times a day. Salt intake must not be more than five grams a day for an adult and much lesser for a child since it increases blood pressure and risk of stroke. Much of the salt we eat is in everyday foods such as bread, sauces, cheese and processed meat, as well as salt added at the table and during cooking”, Dr. Aleem cautioned.
High intake of fruits and vegetables helps in preventing stroke with their high levels of potassium, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and dietary fibre that prevent cardiovascular risk factors.
Another important fact is that individuals engaged in physical activity have a 25-30% lower risk of stroke than inactive individuals. Adults need to engage in at least 150 min per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensityv aerobic activity, he said.
Though common risk factors for stroke in the district population have been found to be hypertension, tobacco use, diabetes, anaemia, stress, post partum blood clotting in brain in women, head injury, snake bite, and scorpion bite, not many know that 90% of strokes are linked to 10 avoidable risks, he said.
Look for warning signs: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble in seeing in one both eyes; sudden trouble in walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden, severe headache with no known cause, Dr. Aleem said, adding: "If you notice one or more of these signs, don’t wait. Stroke is a medical emergency. Call your emergency medical services 108 and get to a hospital right away."
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