SNF Brainstroke Samachar-465: Brain Stroke Cases Increase in Winter
SN Foundation
Doctors advise precautions as cases of brain stroke increase
Courtesy: The Times of India, Kanpur; Jan 16, 2014
KANPUR: Amidst the fortnight long onslaught of intense cold wave, the city has witnessed a spurt in cases of brain (cold) stroke and cold diarrhoea. Alarmed at the situation, doctors have advised people to keep their ears and feet covered to keep sickness at bay.
According to the OPD records of government hospitals, nearly 30% of the patient reporting in neuro (brain) and medicine departments display symptoms of brain (cold) stoke and cold diarrhoea. The doctors said that majority of the patients belonged to the young generation who often avoided precautions against cold.
Winter accounts for nearly 40% brain stroke deaths in the city every year. According to doctors, nearly 70% of the stroke patients do not consult doctors during cold weather. Besides, 50% of them were unable to realize that the problem was related to stroke. Hence, at least 40% die without any treatment due to cold hemorrhage.
The disease not only cripples normal functioning of the brain but also paralyses the body, making it difficult to carry out normal activity.
"Brain stroke also referred to as acute brain damage is caused by many reasons. The prime causes are blockage in blood vessels, transfer of blood clot in veins and arteries to any part of brain, rupture of blood vessels and deposition of fat in blood vessels (atherosclerosis)," said Dr Richa Giri from medicine department of Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital.
She added that the cases of cold diarrhoea and brain stroke could prove fatal during extreme cold conditions as being experienced in the city for the past week.
The expert also said that the cold diarrhoea mainly affects children and infants. The brain stroke in winters mainly affects the younger lot who were careless about their health.
Talking about the proper diet to be taken to avoid getting sick, Dr Anil Gupta, another physician said that the intake of adequate quantity of fluids (water and minerals) should be ensured. As far as possible, the young children and infants should be kept indoors in warm clothes to avoid exposure to cold conditions. The people were also advised to ensure that their ears and feet were always covered.
"The brain (cold) stroke results from inadequate and interrupted blood supply to the brain and is compounded by intense cold conditions. It is difficult to identify the initial symptoms of brain stroke, keeping a tab on blood pressure to keep it around normal level (120/80) is an effective way to avoid brain stroke in such conditions," added Dr Gupta further.
Doctors added that the treatment within six hours of a stroke could reduce related conditions like disability, loss of memory or speech, and loss of vision and improve the patient's quality of life by 30%. The doctors also advised people to consult a specialist if symptoms of stroke like sudden severe headache, loss of vision in one or both eyes, numbness or weakness in one side of face or limbs and sudden confusion or trouble speaking was encountered.