Dr Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran, consultant, clinical neurophysiology and neurosciences of Kauvery Hospital, talks about stroke awareness.
A stroke is a medical emergency. It takes place when the blood supply to parts of the brain is stopped or decreased. This limits oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain, and within minutes, brain cells begin to die. Prompt response and treatment are crucial after a stroke.
A stroke is one of the most common causes of death in India. An acute stroke is often called a brain attack as it damages the brain. To prevent permanent brain damage, the patient should be rushed to the hospital as soon as possible.
Mild Stroke
A mild stroke is also called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. A person who is having a mild stroke can manifest mental confusion, memory loss, and impairment to cognitive function. But their physical symptoms usually disappear in a few hours.
However, even in the instance of a mild stroke, the brain sustains some damage. A person who has had a mild stroke needs to be taken to a hospital and examined by a doctor. A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) may be the first sign or a warning of an impending acute stroke, and preventative steps should be taken.
Acute Stroke
An acute stroke is much more serious and needs immediate medical attention. There are two ways that an acute stroke can occur.
Acute Stroke Due to a Blood Clot
A clot in a blood vessel leading to the brain can cut off blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke. It is imperative to get the blood pumping to the brain as soon as possible to prevent brain damage or other neural complications.
Acute Stroke Due to a Bleed
When there is a bleed in a blood vessel leading to the brain, it can cause a haemorrhage in the tissues surrounding the brain. This can cause oedema in the cranium. The swelling around the brain can compress it, leading to brain damage and neural complications.
When a person has a stroke, there is a small window of 3 to 4.5 hours, by which time treatment must be given. If the reason for the stroke is a clot, a clot-busting medication will be administered immediately to dissolve the clot and get the blood pumping into the brain again. If it is due to a bleed, medication can be given or a procedure is done to prevent or decrease the swelling in the brain to minimize the risk of brain damage.
BE FAST is a mnemonic that helps in the detection of a stroke. Quick detection enhances responsiveness to the needs of a person having a stroke. Some of the first signs of a stroke include balance problems, blurry vision of the eyes, facial drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulties. The manifestation of any of these symptoms means that it is time to call emergency services.
The acronym BEFAST stands for the initial symptoms that manifest to signal an impending stroke.
B – Balance problems E – Eyes are blurry F – Facial asymmetry or weakness A – Weakness of arm/leg S – Speech disturbance T – Time
Follow the BE FAST technique during a stroke emergency and get the patient to the hospital on time!
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
