Stroke Awareness (Part 1 of 4: Stroke Risks) 

A significant neurological condition that causes a huge financial burden on a country’s economy, morbidity and mortality is stroke, commonly known as phalish. This condition does affect the sufferer, but unlike many other diseases can have serious effects on any family, especially if the person afflicted is the breadwinner of the family.

Unfortunately, the knowledge regarding this problem remains lacking in larger parts of populations, educated and uneducated alike. It is essential that we know something about this condition. Only the knowledge about this drastic condition can help us get the correct treatment on time. I will focus on this by answering some common questions that the patients and relatives ask when they get afflicted by this condition and meet me in the hospital.

But Doctor, I am not even old -

Unfortunately, this is a common misconception amongst the people, especially the economically productive younger population. Yes, it may have been a common problem amongst elderly people at a given point in time. However, with the sedentary and busy schedule of life, this is rapidly being seen commonly in the not so elderly population. In fact, there is a separate entity called ‘stroke in young’ amongst people who get this disorder at an age less than 45 years. Of course, the likelihood of stroke increases as one ages. But it is not restricted to the elderly population anymore. Less known is the fact that even children and babies can develop a stroke.

Is it because I have been consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes and bidis? 

Well yes, these are significant factors that can lead one to develop a stroke. Smoking can affect not only respiratory problems (as widely advertised by the cigarette boxes, usually in fine print at least to the smoker’s eyes) but also cardiovascular problems. They make the blood vessels less healthy. The nicotine and carbon monoxide (amongst other toxins of cigarette smoke) pave the path to a stroke.

But doctor, I do not smoke or consume alcohol -

Other factors besides smoking and alcohol can lead to stroke. Obesity is a modern epidemic that is actually a result of a lack of exercise and a rich diet that comes from consuming fast food and a high-calorie diet. Diets rich in fats, oils, cholesterol, and salt, tasty as they may be, are an invitation to stroke. Fruits and vegetables are a great way of helping yourself. Similarly, lack of exercise increases obesity, and this leads to other diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiac diseases, all of which increase the likelihood of developing stroke. Moderate physical activity of even 30 minutes may help you keep stroke at bay.

Is it because I stopped taking medicines?

Many diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart diseases like heart attacks and atrial fibrillation, and even previous strokes are significant factors that can portend an attack of stroke. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with these conditions is prescribed medicines. And invariably, in my experience, the medicines have been stopped before an attack of stroke by a high percentage of these patients. So, if you have any of these conditions, not only do you need to take the medicines regularly, but also test yourself for stroke regularly.