Stroke: things to know

Stroke is a very common emergency disease. However, many patients (patients) do not know the warning signs of stroke, often go to the hospital (BV) late or have improper treatment at home .

18% died

Take care of stroke patients
(Photo: DanTri)

On April 26, at the Stroke Center of Trung Vuong Emergency Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), there are about ten patients being treated. The patients were in a deep coma and had to support oxygen breathing or breathing apparatus.

Mrs. TMC, a member of BN LTT (64 years old, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City), said Mr. T. had twice had a stroke but every day he drank alcohol and smoked heavily. On April 23, while sitting drinking, suddenly Mr. T.'s hand twitched, who staggered to fall, she quickly took him to Trung Vuong Hospital. Doctor Tran Quang Thang - Deputy Dean of Trung Vuong Hospital's Neurology Department - said that T. T. was in a coma, in a very bad condition due to a recurrent stroke. The MC said that for the past two years, he did not take western medicine according to the doctor's instructions but only took Chinese medicines and herbal medicines.

According to Dr. Quang Thang, stroke (also known as cerebrovascular accident) is a condition in which a part of the brain is suddenly damaged by blood loss, causing brain cells to die gradually. Consequently, it will lead to hemiplegia, coma or death. According to the World Health Organization, the new incidence of stroke in the community is 1.27-7.46% / year.

Around the world, deaths from stroke are third, after coronary artery disease and cancer. According to a study of Cho Ray Hospital and Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the death rate of stroke is 18%. In particular, the number of patients suffering from stroke from other localities to these two medical units has a very high death rate, up to 70%, meaning that for every 100 patients with stroke there are 70 deaths.

Five symptoms of stroke awareness

1. Sudden weakness, numbness of face, hands, feet.
2. Suddenly blurred vision or loss of vision.
3. Suddenly hard to say or not understand the words.
4. Suddenly a severe headache without knowing the cause.
5. Dizziness, staggering, falling, does not explain the reason.

When the patient shows signs of stroke, phone 115 times to get early management.

No delay!

The cause of stroke is caused by a vascular injury that causes cerebral hemorrhage (broken blood vessels) or cerebral infarction (clogged cerebral vessels). Among patients who survived stroke, about 50% recovered well, and the remaining 50% were disabled or some left behind.

In order to detect early strokes, patients themselves, family members, friends, colleagues must know this is an emergency disease and must know the symptoms of stroke to promptly bring the patient to the emergency hospital.

Dr. Quang Thang advised: when a patient has a stroke, he needs to transfer to the hospital as quickly as possible. Do not anoint, shave, cut . because it does not bring the treatment effect but also delay the emergency time of the patient. Early emergency is very important, because in the first few hours a stroke usually has many life-threatening complications, but can be prevented or treated.

The danger elements

According to Dr. Thang, stroke often occurs in older people, men. The factors that lead to the most stroke are hypertension, smoking, diabetes, heart problems (atrial fibrillation, myocardial anemia .), atherosclerosis, old cerebral infarction, a lack of ventilation blood brain, peripheral vascular disease .

There are also a number of other factors that can cause stroke: hyperlipidemia, physical inactivity, obesity, alcoholism, nervous stress . Many studies show a strong connection between high Blood pressure and the risk of stroke are great. Therefore, regular monitoring and treatment of hypertension is the best way to prevent stroke. After high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia causes atherosclerosis, which can also lead to stroke.

Prevent relapse

The risk of recurrent stroke in survivors is 30% in the first five years after stroke. Therefore, for patients with stroke, after treatment and discharge home, it is necessary to know how to relapse. According to Dr. Quang Thang, to prevent stroke, patients must control blood vessel risk factors (high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes).

Also need to change the way of life and diet. Stopping smoking will help reduce the risk of stroke. Exercising, losing weight, eating less fat, more fruits, vegetables, limiting salt, taking medicine according to the doctor's orders are also necessary.

LE THANH HA