Stroke Awareness

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran, consultant, clinical neurophysiology and neurosciences of Kauvery Hospital, talks about stroke awareness.

                             

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency. It takes place when the blood supply to parts of the brain is stopped or decreased. This limits oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain, and within minutes, brain cells begin to die. Prompt response and treatment are crucial after a stroke.

A stroke is one of the most common causes of death in India. An acute stroke is often called a brain attack as it damages the brain. To prevent permanent brain damage, the patient should be rushed to the hospital as soon as possible. Read More

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“BE FAST” in a Stroke Emergency

A stroke is one of the most common causes of death in India. An acute stroke is called a brain attack and is a medical emergency. The patient has to be taken immediately to the hospital to get stroke treatment.

Acute Stroke Due to a Blood Clot

A clot in a blood vessel leading to the brain can cut off blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke. It is imperative to get the blood pumping to the brain again as soon as possible to prevent brain damage or other neural complications.

Acute Stroke Due to a Bleed

When there is a bleed in the blood vessel, it can cause a hemorrhage. This can lead to edema. The swelling around the brain, compressing it can also cause brain damage and neural complications.

Why Is Speed Essential After a Stroke?

When a person has a stroke, there is a small window of 3 to 4.5 hours by which time treatment for stroke should be administered.

If the reason for the stroke is a clot, a clot-busting medication will be administered immediately to dissolve the clot and get the blood pumping into the brain again. If it is due to a bleed, medication can be given or a procedure done to prevent or decrease the swelling in the brain to minimize the risk of brain damage.

In either case, immediate transfer to a hospital with a neurologist on call is important.

Also Read: What is a stroke? – Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

BE FAST

BE FAST is a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to the needs of a person having a stroke. The acronym stands for balance, eyes, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties and time to call emergency services.

Be fast and prevent stroke complications.

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Bell's Palsy – what you should know

Senior Consultant, Stroke and Neurovascular Medicine, Dr. Sivarajan Thandeeswaran of Kauvery Hospital, shares a few valuable insights regarding Bell's Palsy, a neurological disorder affecting the orientation of the face.

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is an ailment that occurs when the nerves that control facial muscles expand, compress, or get inflamed. It is thought to be caused by infections or autoimmune diseases, but the exact trigger remains unknown. It can cause temporary weakness or paralysis in the face that manifests as drooping and stiffness on one side of the face. Smiles can look lop-sided, and one eye may droop or remain closed. This condition can occur at any age, but it is most common among people between the ages of 16 to 60. Scottish anatomist, Charles Bell, was the first to describe the condition, and it is named after him.

Also Read: Life after a stroke: Recovery and Rehabilitation

Bell's Palsy Treatment

This condition can be treated with anti-viral medicine and steroids, which will help remove infection and heal the nerves. In most cases, with Bell's Palsy treatment, the condition gets better and goes away in a few weeks to a few months. 15 % of affected patients may have improper recovery and may need further treatment that could include physical therapy, stronger medication, and electrical stimulation. Due to the nature of the condition, people often mistake Bell's Palsy for a stroke. It is advisable to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The most important fact about Bell's Palsy is that it is treatable.

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Understanding BE FAST

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran, Neurologist and Neurophysiologist, Kauvery Hospital Chennai, explains the acronym BE FAST and the significance of sudden arm/leg weakness/paralysis as a tell-tale sign of a stroke.

Origin of BE FAST

FAST is an acronym that has been used for a while now as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to a person's needs having a stroke. The acronym stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services. With advancing technology, better facilities, and treatment, 2 more alphabets have been added to this acronym, making it BE FAST.



What does BE FAST stand for?

Balance – Is the person able to walk unaided? Are they experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes – Are they experiencing a sudden blurred or double vision? Is there persistent vision trouble?

Face – When smiling, is one or both sides of the face drooping?

Arms – When both arms are raised, does one side drift downward? Is there weakness or numbness on one side? The A doesn't stand for only arms but encompasses both limbs.

Speech – Is the person slurring or speaking in a garbled way? Are they able to repeat simple words and phrases?

Time – Immediate medical attention is essential if one or more of these signs manifest. Note down, time of symptoms.

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran stresses the importance of taking quick steps if any of these symptoms manifest and get the patient to the hospital immediately.

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STROKE EMERGENCY AND COVID – 19 LOCKDOWN

The world at large is facing a grave situation, the corona virus pandemic. Each of us are following standard protocols such as social distancing, washing hands, to contain the spread of this virus within our households and community. I wish to place on record our sincere appreciation and gratitude to both the central and state governments for their continuous efforts in containing this major issue.

Read Also Difference between the common flu and COVID-19.

We at Kauvery Hospital are taking plenty of steps to help everybody in this critical scenario. Lot of travel restrictions, quarantine measures have been enforced. As a stroke physician and neurology specialist, I want to emphasize that quarantine does not mean we should shy away from hospitals, for acute medical problems like heart attack, stroke. The fear of catching COVID – 19, should not delay in seeking medical help for major medical illness like stroke, heart attack. We had missed lot of opportunities to treat patients, over the last one week, due to this enigma. For stroke, the treatment offered during the initial four and half hours is considered the “Golden hour” since clot busters can disrupt the clot and reverse the symptoms. Remember, all fevers need not be due to COVID – 19. Sometimes, fevers can cause seizures, or brain infections due to various causes. Such patients must certainly seek medical help and get the appropriate treatment. At Kauvery hospital, from the start, at the telephone exchange itself, screening for COVID begins. Patients are questioned on their health status, pertaining to COVID symptoms. At the front door of the Hospital, patients are provided with hand sanitizers, masks, etc. If a patient is found to have fever, they are triaged separately and are entrusted to the care of special team of doctors.

Feel free to come to the hospital and get the right medical attention. Day before yesterday, a patient presented to us in the window period of an acute stroke. So, with thrombolysis, his path to recovery was speeded and he is doing very well. Unfortunately, that patient in the next bed, came late and his recovery will be delayed. We are open for heart emergencies, coronary heart, neurocardiac emergencies. I want to reassure everybody that we at Kauvery Hospital are following safety measures and standard protocols at this critical corona outbreak, to help patients in times of need. So, please make sure you seek the right medical attention at the right time with the right team of doctors.

DR. Sivarajan Thandeeswaran,
Senior Consultant,
Stroke/Neurovascular Medicine
Kauvery Hospital, Chennai