BENGALURU: Bangalore Stroke Support group (BPSS), which was launched on Thursday, plans to organise a walkathon on October 17 to create awareness on prevention and treatment of stroke.
A stroke, also called a brain attack or paralysis, occurs when blood circulation to a part of the brain fails. Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and the resulting lack of oxygen, thus leading to dysfunction of brain tissue in that area, said Dr Vikram Huded, Secretary of BPSS and Head of Interventional Neurology and Stroke, NH Institute of Neuroscience, Bengaluru.
He said stroke was a major cause for mortality and morbidity in the world. The Indian Council of Medical Research has estimated that in 2004, there were 9.3 lakh cases of strokes and 6.4 lakh deaths due to it in India, with most of the people affected less than 45 years old. He added that the more worrying factor was that it has started affecting younger people of late because of the changing lifestyles.
Signs
Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, difficulty in speaking or understanding, sudden blurred vision in one or both eyes, sudden difficulty in walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, sudden severe headache with no known cause are some of the signs.
Acute Treatment: If any person has symptoms suggestive of stroke, they should rush immediately to a hospital where stroke treatment facility is available round the clock. If the person seeks appropriate medical attention immediately after the symptoms occur, the occluded blood vessel can be reopened by chemicals or devices.
Reopening the blocked artery will result in restoration of the blood supply to the brain and help the person recover.