Poorly controlled blood pressure and high cholesterol are among the leading causes of stroke. If you experience a sudden onset of a headache, dizziness, speech difficulty, drooping of one side of the face, weakness on one side of the body and loss of balance, you may be having a stroke.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, or reduced, preventing brain tissues from getting oxygen and nutrients.
This may be due to a clot or bleeding. When blood flow cannot reach a particular region of the brain that controls a specific body function, that part will not work properly. For example, moving of one hand can be difficult.
A person can suffer from a major stroke which causes severe damage to certain parts of their brain, or a minor one which causes damage that can be reversed by the help of quick medical intervention.
What are the risk factors for stroke?
Although many patients diagnosed with stroke are older adults, strokes can occur at any age. Many factors can increase a person's chances of getting a stroke.
These include: Trauma e.g. from an accident or a fall, being overweight, excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking cigarettes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases.
Are there warning signs before a stroke?
The signs of a stroke often appear suddenly. However, some people experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke.
What is a ministroke?
A ministroke occurs when part of the brain experiences a temporary lack of blood flow. Unlike a full-blown stroke, pre-stroke or mini-strokes only last a few minutes and do not cause permanent damage. One experiences the symptoms of stroke during this period.
Nevertheless, it is a warning sign that a possible stroke may be coming in the future, and it is therefore important to seek immediate medical care.
Why is time of the essence in the management of stroke?
Time is of the essence as the duration of symptoms determines the care and management. Research has shown that when a patient arrives at a hospital within four and a half hours since they first experienced the symptoms of stroke, they are within the timeline to receive the initial drug treatment that gives them a higher chance of reversing the effects of stroke.
If a patient does not meet the 4.5-hour timeline but makes it to the hospital within 24 hours of the onset of the stroke symptoms, we are able to carry out a mechanical removal of the blood clot with good outcomes in most patients.
How to reduce risk of experiencing a stroke
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. It is also advisable to avoid smoking and cut down on alcohol intake. In addition, maintain a healthy weight and keep your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol in the normal range. It is also very important to seek treatment if you have heart disease.
What should people experiencing stroke do?
If a patient is experiencing signs of stroke, they are advised to get to the hospital immediately. When a patient comes to Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) they should immediately report to the emergency room and inform the nurse of their symptoms.
As a hospital, we have put in place a standardised clinical pathway for the management of stroke that is followed by our staff for all stroke cases to ensure favourable outcomes.
Is a stroke reversible?
A stroke is a life-changing condition. A delay in seeking treatment may see a patient lose speech and the ability to use their limbs or work.
This confines them to an assisted life which lowers their quality of life and may lead to depression. In the past, there were no acute treatments available to reverse stroke, but now the situation has changed dramatically over the last decade in that thrombolysis and thrombectomy can restore a good number of stroke sufferers to a better level of function and less disability, with some stroke patients even being reversed back to normality within hours.
AKUH rehabilitates stroke survivors through physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling so that they can regain their normal lives. We also provide education and support for the patient and their family so that they fully understand the process of recovery.
Dr Ekea is the assistant professor, Aga Khan University Medical College and Consultant Neurologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.
Unlock a world of exclusive content today!Unlock a world of exclusive content today!
