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A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted, either due to a blocked blood vessel or a ruptured artery, causing brain cells to die due to lack of oxygen. This neurological disorder can have serious consequences, including hemiplegia, difficulty speaking, depression, and dementia.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Mahendra JV, HOD and consultant, department of neurology, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, explained, “The risk of stroke increases significantly with age, especially after 55, and conditions such as high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, coronary artery disease and high cholesterol further increase the risk.”
“While we cannot change factors such as age and genetics, managing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as adopting a healthy lifestyle, can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. Rehabilitation plays a key role in recovery, with approaches such as constraint-induced movement therapy, robotics and fitness training proving promising in restoring motor functions,” he explained.
He highlighted that, “Occupational therapy is vital to helping survivors regain the ability to perform daily tasks. Ongoing research into innovative treatments, including virtual reality and drug augmentation, has the potential to further improve recovery outcomes. Understanding the causes and symptoms of stroke, as well as the importance of timely rehabilitation, is key to improving patient outcomes and reducing the global impact of this debilitating condition.”
Dr. Khushboo Goyal, Head and Consultant, Stroke Care Program and Management, and Neurology, Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, New Delhi said, “Stroke is a brain attack caused by a disruption in the blood supply, which prevents the brain tissue from receiving enough oxygen and nutrients.” There are 2 main types of stroke – ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
- An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or reduced. This prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain tissue.
- Another type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke. This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts and causes bleeding in the brain
Medical risk factors
- high blood pressure
- smoking cigarettes
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- obstructive sleep apnea
- heart disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infections, or irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation
- Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack, or transient ischemic attack
Other factors associated with a higher risk of stroke are:
Age—People aged 55 years or older have a higher risk of stroke than younger people.
Gender – Men have a higher risk of stroke than women. Women are usually older when they have a stroke, and they are more likely to die from a stroke than men.
Lifestyle Risk Factors:
- Being overweight or obese.
- Physical inactivity.
- Excessive or heavy drinking of alcohol.
- Use of illicit drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
The symptoms of a stroke are:
- Trouble speaking and understanding what others say. A person having a stroke may become confused, slur words, or not be able to understand speech.
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arms or legs. This often affects only one side of the body. The person may try to raise both arms above the head. If one arm starts to drop, it may be a sign of a stroke. Also, one side of the mouth may droop when trying to smile.
- Problems seeing in one or both eyes. A person may suddenly experience blurred vision or blackouts in one or both eyes. Or a person may see double.
- Sudden imbalance can also be a symptom of a stroke
What is stroke rehabilitation?
Stroke rehabilitation is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals recover and regain independence after a stroke. It involves a multidisciplinary approach, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, aimed at restoring function and improving quality of life. Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening muscles, improving coordination, and increasing mobility through exercises and activities tailored to the patient’s specific needs. It also addresses cognitive and emotional challenges, helping patients re-learn skills such as speaking, swallowing, and daily activities.
Speech therapy focuses on helping patients who have difficulty speaking or understanding language, addressing the communication challenges that arise after a stroke. Physical therapy focuses on exercises designed to help patients regain movement and coordination skills that have been affected by the stroke, promoting strength, balance, and mobility.
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